🎯 Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Your Complete Mortgage Journey

A comprehensive guide to buying your first home in Canada. From saving your down payment to getting your keys, we'll guide you through every step.

6-24 months total
36 essential tasks
Canadian-specific advice

What You'll Learn

Financial Preparation

How much to save, how to improve credit, and budget for all costs including CMHC insurance

Smart Negotiation

How to make competitive offers, include the right conditions, and protect yourself

Canadian Process

Specific to Canada: stress tests, land transfer tax, title insurance, and more

6 Steps to Homeownership

Step 1

Financial Planning

Build Your Foundation

3-12 months

Get your finances in order before you start house hunting. Learn how to save for down payment, build your credit score, and prepare your budget.

Calculate how much you need to save
Improve your credit score to 680+
Build 3-6 months emergency fund
Step 2

Get Pre-Approved

Know Your Budget

1-2 weeks

Get pre-approved for a mortgage to know exactly how much you can afford. This makes you a serious buyer in the eyes of sellers.

Gather required documents
Shop around with multiple lenders
Understand GDS and TDS ratios
Step 3

House Hunting

Find Your Dream Home

1-6 months

Time to search for your perfect home! Work with a realtor and visit properties that fit your budget and lifestyle.

Hire a buyer's agent (free for buyers)
Create must-have vs nice-to-have list
Research neighborhoods thoroughly
Step 4

Make an Offer

Negotiate & Seal the Deal

1-3 weeks

Found your home? Make a competitive offer with the right conditions to protect yourself while staying attractive to sellers.

Include financing & inspection conditions
Book professional home inspection
Negotiate repairs if needed
Step 5

Finalize Financing

Lock in Your Mortgage

30-60 days

Your offer was accepted! Now finalize your mortgage details, hire a lawyer, and prepare all the paperwork for closing.

Choose fixed vs variable rate
Get property appraisal
Purchase title insurance
Step 6

Closing Day

Get Your Keys!

1 day

The final step! Sign all documents, transfer funds, and receive the keys to your new home. Welcome to homeownership!

Complete final walk-through
Wire funds to lawyer
Sign all documents

Why Follow This Guide?

✅ Canadian-Specific

Includes CMHC insurance, stress testing, land transfer tax, and other Canadian requirements

✅ Realistic Timelines

Each step includes expected duration so you can plan your home-buying timeline

✅ Actionable Tasks

Every step includes specific tasks with checkboxes - know exactly what to do next

✅ Real Examples

See concrete examples with actual dollar amounts for typical Canadian home purchases

Start Your Journey

Begin with Step 1 and work through each stage at your own pace

Calculate Your Mortgage

Use our calculators to see what you can afford right now