Rules checked September 24, 2026

Real estate guides for Ontario buyers, sellers and agents

Free step-by-step guides to buying, selling, renting and investing in Ontario. Every rule (down payments, the stress test, land transfer tax) comes from one checked source and links to the government page it came from.

The rules, as of September 24, 2026

Minimum down payment: 5% / 10% / 20%
Stress-test floor: 5.25%
Bank of Canada rate: 2.5%
2026 rent increase guideline: 2.1%
Closing costs (CMHC): 1.5%–4% of price

Each figure links to the government or regulator page it comes from.

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Buying

How to Buy a Home in Ontario: Step-by-Step (2026)

A step-by-step guide to buying a home in Ontario in 2026: budgeting, pre-approval, searching, offers, conditions, closing costs and land transfer tax.6 min read

First-Time Home Buyer in Ontario: Programs, Rebates & Tips (2026)

A first-time home buyer guide for Ontario: the FHSA, RRSP Home Buyers' Plan, land transfer tax rebates, minimum down payment and the mortgage stress test.4 min read

Down Payment & CMHC Insurance in Ontario, Explained

How much down payment you need in Ontario and how CMHC mortgage default insurance works: minimums, the 20% threshold, premiums and the effect on payments.2 min read

How to Choose a Buyer's Agent in Ontario

How to choose a buyer's agent in Ontario: questions to ask, checking RECO registration, what the buyer agreement must say and how the fee is paid.4 min read

What Does a Buyer's Agent Do in Ontario? (TRESA 2023)

What a buyer's agent does in Ontario, the duties they owe you under TRESA, whether you need one, and how buying without one (self-represented) works.3 min read

Choosing a Real Estate Brokerage in Ontario: A Guide for Buyers and Sellers

How buyers and sellers choose a real estate brokerage in Ontario or the GTA: franchise, independent or online, what to check on RECO, and what to ask.2 min read

How to Search MLS® Listings in Ontario

How to search MLS® listings in Ontario: where listings appear, why sold prices need a sign-in, what public sites can't show, and how to set up alerts.2 min read

HST Rebate on New Homes in Ontario (2026 Guide)

How the HST rebate works on new and pre-construction homes in Ontario: the permanent rebates, the 2026–27 enhanced rebate, who qualifies and how to claim.7 min read

Pre-Construction Deposit Structure in Ontario

How pre-construction deposits work in Ontario: example schedules, what happens to your money, trust rules for condos and Tarion deposit protection limits.6 min read

The 10-Day Cooling-Off Period for New Condos in Ontario

How the 10-day cooling-off period for new condos works in Ontario: when it starts, how to cancel, what to review, and why freehold homes do not have one.5 min read

Tarion and HCRA: Ontario's New Home Warranty Explained

How Ontario's new home warranty works: Tarion's 1-, 2- and 7-year coverage, deposit and delayed closing protection, and the HCRA's builder licensing.5 min read

Development Charges and Closing Costs on Pre-Construction

What closing costs to expect on an Ontario pre-construction home: development charges and levies, how caps work, occupancy fees and land transfer tax.5 min read

Can't Close on Pre-Construction? Your Options in Ontario

Can't close on your pre-construction home in Ontario? Your options, from new financing and extensions to an assignment or release, and the default risks.5 min read

Buying a Presale in BC: Rescission, Deposits and Taxes

How buying a presale works in BC: the 7-day rescission period under REDMA, deposits held in trust, disclosure statements, assignments and the flipping tax.4 min read

Buying a New Home in Alberta: Deposits and Warranty

How deposits and warranty work on new and pre-construction homes in Alberta: condo deposit trust rules, 1-2-5-10 warranty coverage and what to check.3 min read

Newcomer's Guide to Buying or Renting a Home in Ontario

New to Canada? How credit history, down payments, CMHC newcomer rules, the foreign buyer ban and Ontario's NRST affect buying or renting a home.6 min read

Rent to Own a Home in Ontario: How It Works and the Risks

How rent-to-own deals work in Ontario, the risks of option fees and rent credits, and safer options: an FHSA, saving while renting, and rent vs buy.4 min read

Buying a Pre-Construction Condo in Ontario: What to Know

A clear guide to buying pre-construction condos in Ontario: deposits, the 10-day cooling-off period, occupancy vs closing, development charges and risks.2 min read

Buying a Fixer-Upper in Ontario: Is It Worth It?

How to buy a fixer-upper in Ontario: estimating renovation costs, financing options, what to inspect, and how to tell whether the numbers really work.1 min read

How to Read Sold Prices & Comparables Like a Pro

How to use sold prices and comparables to value a home in Ontario: what makes a good comp, why list price misleads, and what days on market tells you.1 min read

Home Inspection Guide: What to Check Before You Buy

What a home inspection covers and costs, the big issues to watch for (structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, moisture) and how to use results to negotiate.1 min read

Condo vs House in Ontario: Which Should You Buy?

Condo vs house in Ontario: comparing cost, maintenance, condo fees, appreciation, lifestyle and the status certificate to help you choose the right home.1 min read

Selling

How to Sell Your Home in Ontario: Step-by-Step (2026)

A step-by-step guide to selling a home in Ontario in 2026: pricing with sold data, staging, marketing, offers, conditions, commission and closing.5 min read

How to Find the Best Realtor to Sell Your Home in Ontario

How to choose a realtor to sell your Ontario home: what to compare, questions to ask, how commission works, checking RECO registration and red flags.4 min read

Listing Agents in Ontario: What They Do and How to Compare Them

What a listing agent does when you sell in Ontario, and how to compare listing proposals and agreements side by side: price, marketing, fee and terms.3 min read

Realtor Commission in Ontario, Explained

How realtor commission works in Ontario: who sets it, the allowed fee structures, who pays the buyer's agent, and what to compare besides the rate.3 min read

How to Price Your Home in Ontario

What can you sell your house for in Ontario? How to set a list price from sold comparables, what raises or lowers value, and how pricing strategies work.5 min read

Best Time to Sell a House in Ontario

When is the best time to sell a house in Ontario? How seasons, rates and your plans affect timing, how long a sale takes and how to sell faster.4 min read

Selling Before Buying in Ontario: Which First?

Should you sell your home before buying another in Ontario? Compare selling first and buying first, conditional offers, bridge financing and closing dates.4 min read

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Ontario?

The costs of selling a house in Ontario: legal fees, mortgage discharge and penalty, moving and staging, HST, capital gains, and what sellers never pay.4 min read

Should I Sell or Rent Out My Home in Ontario?

Should you sell your Ontario home or keep it and rent it out? Compare cash flow, landlord rules under the RTA, tax on a change of use, and your next move.4 min read

Selling a House with Tenants in Ontario

Selling a house with tenants in Ontario: what the Residential Tenancies Act allows, N12 and N13 notices, notice periods, compensation and showing rules.4 min read

Selling an Estate or Probate Property in Ontario

How to sell a house as an estate trustee in Ontario: probate, the certificate of appointment, estate administration tax, timing, insurance and taxes.4 min read

How Long Does It Take to Sell a House in Ontario?

How long selling a house in Ontario takes, stage by stage: preparation, time on the market, conditions and closing, and where to see live local figures.3 min read

How to Prepare Your Home for Sale: What to Fix and What to Skip

How to prepare your Ontario home for sale: what to fix, what to skip, cleaning, staging, photos, documents and disclosure, as a step-by-step checklist.3 min read

What Happens After You Accept an Offer in Ontario?

What happens after you accept an offer on your Ontario home: the deposit, buyer conditions, going firm, your lawyer's work, and closing day step by step.3 min read

How to Sell a Pre-Construction Assignment in Ontario

How to sell your pre-construction condo or home by assignment in Ontario: builder consent, pricing, HST and income tax, marketing and the closing steps.5 min read

Renting

Rent vs Buy in the GTA: How to Decide

Should you rent or buy in the Greater Toronto Area? How to weigh monthly cost, down payment, time horizon, rates and lifestyle, with a simple framework.1 min read

Rental Management

How to Manage a Rental Property in Ontario: Landlord Guide

Learn how to manage a rental property in Ontario, from pricing and screening to the standard lease, rent rules, repairs, rent increases and the LTB.12 min read

10 Tenant Screening Tips for Ontario Landlords

Ten practical, Human Rights Code-compliant tenant screening tips for Ontario landlords: applications, credit checks, income, references and red flags.8 min read

Investing

VIP and Platinum Access for Pre-Construction, Explained

What VIP and Platinum access to pre-construction means, how the early sales phases work, the real risks, and the questions to ask before you register.5 min read

Assignment Sales in Ontario, Explained

What an assignment sale is in Ontario: how pre-construction condo assignments work, the costs, HST and tax considerations, and the risks for both sides.2 min read

Power of Sale in Ontario: A Buyer's Guide

What power of sale means in Ontario, how it differs from foreclosure, how to buy a power-of-sale property, and the as-is and disclosure risks to watch for.1 min read

Investing in Rental Property in the GTA: A Starter Guide

How to evaluate a rental property investment in the GTA: rental income, cap rate, cash flow, vacancy and expenses, financing and landlord responsibilities.1 min read

Commercial

Buying a Gas Station in Ontario

Before buying a gas station in Ontario: environmental site assessments, TSSA fuel rules, underground tanks and fuel supply agreements.4 min read

Buying a Restaurant in Ontario

Before buying a restaurant in Ontario: the lease and landlord consent, AGCO liquor licensing, public health inspections and franchisor approval.3 min read

Buying a Convenience Store in Ontario

Before buying a convenience store in Ontario: verifying sales, lottery and tobacco authorizations, beer and wine rules, and the store lease.3 min read

Buying an Auto Repair Business in Ontario

Before buying an auto repair or body shop in Ontario: zoning, environmental risk, waste handling, equipment, licensing and the customer base.3 min read

Buying a Hair or Beauty Salon in Ontario

Before buying a hair, nail or beauty salon in Ontario: public health rules, stylists and clients, booth rental, the lease and the real revenue.3 min read

Buying a Franchise Resale in Ontario

Before buying an existing franchise in Ontario: franchisor approval, disclosure under the Wishart Act, transfer fees, renovations and the lease.3 min read

Buying a Coffee Shop or Café in Ontario

Before buying a coffee shop or café in Ontario: the lease, foot traffic, public health inspections, equipment, franchise terms and real sales.3 min read

Buying a Bakery in Ontario

Before buying a bakery in Ontario: ovens and equipment, public health rules, wholesale accounts, recipes, staff, the lease and the real sales.3 min read

Buying a Laundromat or Dry Cleaner in Ontario

Before buying a laundromat or dry cleaner in Ontario: machine age, water and utility costs, solvent and environmental risk, and the lease.3 min read

Buying a Daycare in Ontario

Before buying a daycare or child care centre in Ontario: Ministry of Education licensing under the CCEYA, funding agreements, staff and the premises.3 min read

Buying a Medical or Dental Clinic in Ontario

Before buying a medical or dental clinic in Ontario: college ownership rules, professional corporations, patient records and the clinic lease.3 min read

Buying a Motel or Hotel in Ontario

Before buying a motel or hotel in Ontario: municipal licensing, Fire Code, franchise flag terms, occupancy records, accommodation tax and the building.3 min read

Buying a Gym or Fitness Studio in Ontario

Before buying a gym or fitness studio in Ontario: membership contracts and consumer rules, equipment leases, prepaid memberships and the lease.3 min read

Buying a Car Wash in Ontario

Before buying a car wash in Ontario: equipment condition, water, sewer and utility costs, environmental risk, zoning and the land or lease.3 min read

Buying a Beer, Wine or Liquor Store in Ontario

Before buying a beer, wine or liquor retail business in Ontario: AGCO authorizations, LCBO and supplier agreements, the lease and the real sales.3 min read

Buying or Leasing a Truck Yard in Ontario

Before buying or leasing a truck yard or outside storage land in Ontario: zoning, site plan control, heavy-vehicle access, surface and drainage.3 min read

Buying or Leasing Industrial Property in Ontario

Before buying or leasing industrial property in Ontario: zoning, clear height, shipping doors, power, environmental assessments, HST and TMI.3 min read

Buying Retail and Mixed-Use Property in Ontario

Before buying a storefront, plaza or mixed-use building in Ontario: zoning, tenant leases and rent rolls, residential units, HST and condition.3 min read

Buying or Leasing Office Space in Ontario

Before buying or leasing office space in Ontario: net vs gross rent, TMI, commercial condo documents, zoning for medical use, HST and fit-out.3 min read

Buying Commercial and Development Land in Ontario

Before buying commercial or development land in Ontario: official plan and zoning, planning approvals, servicing, development charges and environment.3 min read

Market

How Bank of Canada Rates & Inflation Affect the Housing Market

How Bank of Canada interest rate decisions and inflation move Canada's housing market: mortgage rates, affordability, prices and what buyers should watch.1 min read

Neighbourhood

Living in Vaughan, Ontario: A Neighbourhood Guide

A complete guide to living in Vaughan, Ontario — Woodbridge, Maple, Thornhill, Kleinburg and VMC, plus housing, transit, schools and lifestyle.9 min read

Best Neighbourhoods in Mississauga for Families (2026)

The best Mississauga neighbourhoods for families in 2026: Lorne Park, Streetsville, Erin Mills, Churchill Meadows, Port Credit and more, with schools.10 min read

Living in Liberty Village, Toronto: A Neighbourhood Guide

What it's like to live in Liberty Village, Toronto: almost all condos, transit, lifestyle, who it suits, and honest pros and cons for buyers and renters.3 min read

Living in The Beaches, Toronto: A Neighbourhood Guide

A guide to living in The Beaches, Toronto: the lakefront boardwalk, family-friendly streets, housing, transit, schools and the pros and cons for buyers.3 min read

Living in Yorkville, Toronto: A Luxury Neighbourhood Guide

A guide to Yorkville, Toronto — the city's luxury shopping and condo district. Housing, the Mink Mile, culture, transit, who it suits, and the trade-offs.2 min read

Living in North York Centre (Willowdale), Toronto: A Guide

A guide to North York Centre and Willowdale, Toronto: the Yonge subway corridor, condos and detached homes, schools, dining, transit and who it suits.3 min read

Living in Roncesvalles, Toronto: A Neighbourhood Guide

A guide to Roncesvalles (Roncy), Toronto: the village main street, Polish heritage, character homes, High Park access, transit and who it suits.6 min read

Living in Leaside, Toronto: A Family Neighbourhood Guide

A guide to Leaside, Toronto, the affluent midtown family enclave: detached homes, schools, Bayview and Laird shopping, the Crosstown LRT and who it suits.2 min read

Living in Markham, Ontario: A City Guide

What it is like to live in Markham, Ontario: the GTA tech hub with top schools, historic Unionville, a diverse community, housing, transit and lifestyle.2 min read

Living in Oakville, Ontario: A City Guide

A guide to living in Oakville, Ontario, the affluent lakefront town: top schools, harbours, GO transit, premium homes, the commute and who it suits.2 min read

Living in Brampton, Ontario: A City Guide

A guide to living in Brampton, Ontario, one of Canada's fastest-growing, most diverse cities: more space for the money, housing, transit and community.2 min read

Living in Burlington, Ontario: A City Guide

A guide to living in Burlington, Ontario, the lakefront city between Toronto and Hamilton: housing, schools, waterfront living, transit and who it suits.2 min read

Living in Richmond Hill, Ontario: A City Guide

A guide to living in Richmond Hill, Ontario, an affluent York Region city: top schools, the Yonge corridor, green space, housing, transit and who it suits.2 min read

Recruitment

10 Reasons to Join Coldwell Banker Summit Realty 2026

Thinking of joining a brokerage in Ontario? 10 reasons to consider Coldwell Banker Summit Realty in 2026: Zara AI platform, brand, mentorship and support.7 min read

Real Estate Agent Salary in Canada (2026)

What real estate agents actually earn in Canada in 2026: how commissions, splits and deals closed shape gross vs net income for new and experienced agents.6 min read

Real Estate Assistant Jobs in Ontario: Licensed vs Unlicensed Roles

Real estate assistant jobs in Ontario: what unlicensed assistants may do under TRESA, licensed assistant roles, who hires, and the path to a licence.6 min read

How to Choose a Real Estate Brokerage in Ontario

How to choose the best real estate brokerage to join in Ontario: splits and fees, leads, technology, training and brand, with the questions to ask first.5 min read

Real Estate Agent Commission Splits in Ontario, Explained (2026)

Real estate commission splits in Ontario explained: percentage, capped and flat-fee models, desk and transaction fees, and how to work out take-home pay.3 min read

How to Get Your Real Estate License in Ontario (2026)

How to become a licensed real estate agent in Ontario in 2026: the Humber salesperson program, costs, timeline, RECO registration and joining a brokerage.4 min read