Buying

The Home Buyer’s Deposit in Ontario: How Much, Who Holds It, What If It Fails

Buying in Ontario: how much is the deposit, who holds it, and can you get it back if the deal dies? A guide to typical GTA deposit amounts, the brokerage trust account, RECO consumer deposit insurance (up to $200,000 per claim), and what happens to the deposit on a failed deal.

Can the Seller Tell You What Others Bid? Ontario’s Open Offer Process

In an Ontario bidding war, can the seller tell you what others offered? A clear guide to TRESA's open offer process (in force December 1, 2023): you're entitled to the number of competing offers, the seller decides whether to share content, and personal information is never disclosed.

Foreign Buyer Ban & NRST: Can Non-Residents Buy in Ontario (2026)?

In 2026 Canada's foreign buyer ban runs to January 2027 and Ontario charges a 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax (NRST). Can non-residents buy in Ontario? A guide to the federal ban's scope and exceptions, the NRST rate, and how the two stack.

Conditions in an Ontario Offer: Financing, Inspection & More

A guide to the common conditions in an Ontario purchase offer: financing, home inspection, status certificate, and sale-of-property (with escape clause) — plus conditional vs. firm offers and how the deposit is handled.

Reading a Condo Status Certificate in Ontario: A Buyer’s Guide

When buying a resale condo in Ontario, the Status Certificate is the key due-diligence document. What it contains, the legal fee and timeline, why offers are conditional on lawyer review, and the red flags to watch for.

Closing Costs in Ontario: What Buyers Pay Beyond the Price (2026)

Beyond the down payment and purchase price, what closing costs does an Ontario/GTA home buyer pay? A line-by-line breakdown of land transfer tax, legal fees, title insurance, inspection and adjustments, with a worked $1M example.

Rent vs. Buy in Toronto (2026): An Honest Decision Framework

Rent vs. buy in Toronto for 2026, told honestly: the real cost of each, the break-even horizon that decides it, rent vs. carrying cost, and who each suits.

What Does ‘As Is’ Mean in an Ontario Real Estate Contract?

An "As Is, Where Is" clause means the seller is selling the property in its current, actual condition and will not make any repairs or improvements before closing. The burden of any existing problems, and the cost of fixing them, shifts to the buyer. What it does not mean is that the seller can hide