Your complete guide to buying your first home in Canada
The free, step-by-step resource for first-time buyers — FHSA, eight modules, calculators, and 2026 program rules in plain language.
From FHSA to closing, in one guide.
Eight structured modules, province-specific programs, and calculators for Canadian first-time buyers — written in plain language and updated for 2026 FHSA limits and mortgage rules.
- 8
- 2026
- 10+
Eight modules, from ready to keys.
- 1.
- Are you ready to buyCredit, budget, and first-time buyer status.
- 2.
- Saving smartFHSA, RRSP, and how contribution room works in 2026.
- 3.
- Down payments and mortgagesInsured vs conventional, stress test, and payment math.
- 4.
- Government programsFederal incentives and provincial first-time buyer relief.
- 5.
- Finding a homeHow listings, agents, and inspections fit together.
- 6.
- Making an offerConditions, deposits, and what to put in writing.
- 7.
- Closing the dealLawyer, land transfer, insurance, and cash to close.
- 8.
- Life after closingFirst year costs, FHSA close-out, and what to file.
Buyer tools
- Affordability Calculator · GDS
See how much house you can afford using GDS/TDS ratios and the mortgage stress test.
- City Comparison · City
Compare home prices and buying costs across Canadian cities for first-time buyers.
- Closing Cost Calculator · Close
Estimate land transfer tax, legal fees, and total cash needed at closing by province.
- CMHC Insurance Calculator · CMHC
Calculate CMHC premium, PST on premium, and total insured mortgage by down payment.
- Comparison Tools · vs
Compare rent vs buy, FHSA vs RRSP HBP, and fixed vs variable rates side by side.
- Cost of Waiting · Wait
See how appreciation, rent, and interest add up for every month you delay buying.
- Document Checklist · Docs
Track every document needed for your mortgage application and home purchase.
- Land Transfer Tax Calculator · LTT
Estimate land transfer tax by province with first-time buyer rebates and Toronto MLTT.
- Mortgage Calculator · Pay
Estimate monthly payments, CMHC insurance, and stress-test qualification for 2026 Canadian mortgages.
- Province Selector · Map
Find federal and provincial first-time buyer programs for your province or territory.
- Readiness Assessment · Ready
A 2-minute check on credit, savings, stress-test readiness, and your next steps.
- Stress Test Calculator · OSFI
Compare contract vs qualifying rate and see how the stress test cuts borrowing power.
- Timeline Planner · Time
Map month-by-month milestones from saving through closing for your purchase timeline.
- FHSA
- 2026 contribution room, carry-forward, and qualifying withdrawals in one chapter.
- A product page or a link out to the CRA form.
- HBP
- RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan rules shown next to FHSA stacking.
- A short explainer that may not cover both accounts.
- Programs
- Federal and provincial incentives searchable by province.
- National copy, often without a provincial lookup.
- Calculators
- Mortgage, closing costs, stress test, and wait-cost tools on-site.
- A payment estimator without closing-cost or land-transfer lines.
- Guide
- Eight sequential modules from readiness to life after closing.
- Standalone articles without a course path.
- Province
- Land transfer, rebates, and first-time buyer rules by province.
- Examples that default to one market.
- Next step
- Optional licensed strategy call after the lesson.
- A rate or application form before the education.
- Guide
2026 contribution room, carry-forward, and qualifying withdrawals in one chapter.
Bank blogA product page or a link out to the CRA form.
- Guide
RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan rules shown next to FHSA stacking.
Bank blogA short explainer that may not cover both accounts.
- Guide
Federal and provincial incentives searchable by province.
Bank blogNational copy, often without a provincial lookup.
- Guide
Mortgage, closing costs, stress test, and wait-cost tools on-site.
Bank blogA payment estimator without closing-cost or land-transfer lines.
- Guide
Eight sequential modules from readiness to life after closing.
Bank blogStandalone articles without a course path.
- Guide
Land transfer, rebates, and first-time buyer rules by province.
Bank blogExamples that default to one market.
- Guide
Optional licensed strategy call after the lesson.
Bank blogA rate or application form before the education.
First-time buyers, in their own words.
Google reviewScott and Kirann were fantastic to work with. This was our first home purchase and along with planning a wedding, honeymoon, and still working our full-time jobs, they made the financing part of the process feel seamless. Thank you for all of your help and I highly recommend them to anyone looking to buy a home! 🙌
Google reviewScott & Kirann were incredibly helpful, professional, and kind throughout the entire process of securing my first mortgage. Both agents have a wealth of knowledge and expertise! Thank you for all your support!
Google reviewScott and Aya were very helpful with the purchase of our first home! Got us a great rate with no stress!
Google reviewJulien was incredible to work with! He made the mortgage process seamless, explaining everything clearly and ensuring we understood each step. His expertise and quick turnaround helped us secure our first home without stress. We highly recommend working with Julien!
Program sources
- CMHC · Insured
Mortgage loan insurance when you put less than 20% down — premiums follow down-payment tiers.
- CRA · FHSA · Savings
First Home Savings Account contribution room and tax-free withdrawals for a qualifying purchase.
- Home Buyers’ Plan · RRSP
Withdraw from an RRSP to buy or build a qualifying home, then repay over 15 years.
- OSFI · B-20 · Qualify
The stress test sets the qualifying rate: contract +2% or 5.25%, whichever is higher.
- FCAC · Tools
Mortgage, affordability, and stress-test education for Canadian consumers.
- Canada · Federal
Federal first-time buyer incentives: FHSA, HBP, tax credit, and GST/HST rebates.
- Provinces · Rebate
Land transfer, grants, and first-time buyer programs that change by province.
- LendCity · FSRA
Licensed mortgage professionals behind the free guide — book a call when you are ready.
Clear is the new ready.
Work through the eight modules, run the calculators, then book a licensed LendCity call when you want a real pre-approval path.
Guide