In a competitive market, strategy beats luck.

The minimum in Ontario is 5% on the first $500,000 of the purchase price and 10% on any portion between $500,000 and $999,999. For homes priced at $1 million or more, a minimum of 20% is required. Your lender and mortgage broker will walk you through the exact numbers based on your situation. We connect you with a trusted GTA broker before you start your search so you know exactly where you stand.

In Ontario, closing costs typically include: land transfer tax (and the Toronto municipal land transfer tax if buying within the City of Toronto), legal fees, title insurance, home inspection fees, and any property tax adjustments. First-time buyers may qualify for a land transfer tax rebate. For a property in the $700K to $900K range, expect closing costs of roughly $25,000 to $40,000 in Toronto or $15,000 to $25,000 outside the city. We'll give you a detailed estimate at the start of your search so nothing surprises you on closing day.

This depends entirely on your priorities. Freehold homes (detached, semi-detached, townhouse) give you full ownership of the land, no monthly maintenance fees, and more control over your property. Condos offer lower entry prices in desirable areas, less exterior maintenance responsibility, and often better downtown locations. The tradeoff is monthly condo fees, rules set by the condo corporation, and a status certificate you should always review before buying. We'll help you understand the real cost of ownership for both paths and advise on which makes more sense for your specific situation.

A Virtual Office Website (VOW) gives you the same TRREB listing data registered agents see through their feed from TRREB, the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. That includes active GTA listings, recent sold prices, and listing history. As a registered HSR member, you can view sold prices and listing history alongside active listings, all drawn directly from the TRREB feed and refreshed frequently.

Yes, in most markets and situations, you can. The GTA has normalized "clean" (no-condition) offers in hot segments, but conditions are not dead. In slower segments, higher price ranges, or for properties with obvious inspection concerns, a home inspection condition or financing condition is frequently accepted. We advise you on what the market in your target area will realistically accept right now, and we help you structure offers that protect you without being uncompetitive. We never pressure you to waive protections without giving you the full picture of what you're accepting.

The honest answer is that timing the GTA market perfectly is something very few people accomplish consistently. What actually matters more is your personal financial readiness, how long you plan to hold the property, and whether the homes available in your budget and target area meet your needs right now. Book a call and we'll give you a direct read on current conditions for your specific price range and area, including where inventory stands, how many days homes are sitting, and what recent sale-to-list ratios look like. That context will help you make an informed decision regardless of what the headlines say.

Yes, and we handle both sides when needed. The key is sequencing. Selling first gives you a known number to work with but leaves you temporarily without a home. Buying first gives you control over timing but exposes you to two mortgages if your sale takes longer than expected. Listing your current home with a sale condition on your purchase offer is a middle path that has become more accepted in some market segments. We'll walk you through all three scenarios, discuss bridge financing options, and help you choose the approach that fits your financial position and risk tolerance.