Canadian Homebuyer Resources

Free guides for every step
of the homebuying journey

Honest, current, Canadian-specific content for first-time buyers — no sales pitch, no cheerleading, no agenda other than helping you arrive better prepared.

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Savings

FHSA Explained

The First Home Savings Account: $8K/year, tax-deductible contributions, tax-free withdrawals — and why to open one today even if you're years from buying.

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Mortgage

The Mortgage Stress Test

Qualify at your actual rate +2% or 5.25%, whichever is higher. How GDS and TDS ratios work — and how 30-year amortisation changed the math in August 2024.

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Selling

IRD Mortgage Penalties

The $14,000 surprise most sellers never see coming. How Interest Rate Differential penalties are calculated and how to protect yourself from day one.

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Mortgage

CMHC Insurance Explained

When mortgage default insurance applies, what the 2024 premium rates are, and why the true cost is higher than the quoted percentage.

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Down Payment

Down Payment Rules (2024)

The December 2024 thresholds: 5% under $500K, sliding scale to $1.5M, 20% above. How the sliding scale works and where your funds can come from.

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Banking

The 90-Day Bank Rule

What Canadian lenders look for in your bank statements, why moving your own money creates problems, and what to avoid in the 90 days before applying.

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Newcomer

Building Canadian Credit from Zero

Foreign credit doesn't transfer to Canada. The step-by-step approach for newcomers — secured cards, credit-builder loans, and CMHC's New to Canada program.

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Process

How to Buy a Home in Canada

The complete process from financial preparation through offer, conditions, and legal closing — updated for 2024–25 Canadian rules.

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Analysis

Rent vs. Buy: An Honest Analysis

The real costs of ownership, the opportunity cost argument, when renting is the smarter choice, and when buying makes sense.

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Banking

The 90-Day Banking Discipline Rule

Moving money between accounts in the 90 days before applying can seriously hurt your application — here's the complete guide.

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Newcomer

Buying Your First Home as a Newcomer

Building Canadian credit from zero, using foreign income, CMHC's New to Canada program, and the document checklist.

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Family Law

Buying Property as a Couple

The Family Law Act, title, common-law rights by province, and cohabitation agreements — the conversation most couples skip.

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The full program goes much deeper

These articles cover the fundamentals. The free Turning Keys program has 9 guided modules, 7 calculators, and interactive decision tools — all in one place, works offline, no payment required.

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