Buying a home · 14 guides
Mortgages, down payments, first-home accounts.
- 🏔Ontario Probate: How to Apply for an Estate Certificate and How Much Estate Administration Tax You PayIn Ontario, the Estate Administration Tax is charged on the value of an estate when an estate certificate is applied for and issued. This guide, based on Ontario government sources, explains who pays, how the tax is calculated, which assets are included or excluded, and the Estate Information Return filing requirement.
- 🏔Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant: How to ApplyThe Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant is administered by the Ministry of Finance and provides up to $500 to low-to-moderate income senior homeowners. It is applied for through the ON-BEN form when filing taxes.
- 📍Calgary CEIP: Energy-Efficiency Financing for Solar, Heat Pumps and Windows, Repaid via Property TaxThe Residential Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) in Calgary offers eligible homeowners financing of up to $50,000 for energy-efficient upgrades, repaid through the property tax bill. Application intake is currently closed until winter 2026/2027.
- 🏔Alberta Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program: Deferring Property Taxes Until You SellAlberta's Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program allows eligible homeowners aged 65 and older to defer residential property taxes through a low-interest home equity loan from the Government of Alberta. The loan becomes due when the home is sold, ownership changes, or the home is no longer the primary residence.
- Federal Underused Housing Tax (UHT): Do Non-Citizen Owners Need to File?The federal Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is an annual 1% federal tax that took effect on January 1, 2022. It generally applies to foreign national owners of housing in Canada, and in some situations also to certain Canadian owners. This article explains what the tax is, who administers it, and how to determine whether you are an affected owner.
- 🏔BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax: Annual Declaration, Who Pays, Who Is ExemptBritish Columbia's speculation and vacancy tax applies to residential property owners in designated taxable areas. Owners must declare every year by March 31. This article summarizes the official page on how to declare, exemptions, tax credits and payment timing.
- 🏔BC Home Owner Grant: Apply Each Year to Reduce Your Property TaxThe BC Home Owner Grant reduces the property tax you pay each year on your principal residence. It is administered by the Province of British Columbia and must be applied for every year. This article summarizes the official eligibility rules, grant amounts, assessment thresholds and how to apply.
- 🏔Renting in Alberta: Security Deposit Rules and Tenant RightsBased on official Alberta government sources, this article explains security deposit rules, including collection, return, and non-return scenarios, to help tenants understand their rights.
- Consumer Affairs in Canada: Complaints, Rights, and ResourcesLearn how to file complaints, know your rights, and find official resources for consumer issues in Canada.
- Home Accessibility Tax Credit for SeniorsThe federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC) helps cover costs of renovations that make a home safer and more accessible. This article explains eligibility, eligible expenses, credit amount, and how to claim.
- What is Mortgage Loan Insurance?In Canada, mortgage loan insurance is usually required when your down payment is less than 20%. This article summarizes official information from CMHC.
- Home Buyers' Plan (HBP): Borrow from Your RRSP for a Down PaymentThe HBP lets you withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSP to buy a home, repayable over 15 years. Withdrawals in 2026-2028 get an extra 3-year repayment delay. Can be combined with FHSA under conditions.
- FHSA First Home Savings Account: $8,000 Tax-Free Limit Per YearFHSA is a tax-free savings account for first-time home buyers in Canada, allowing up to $8,000 per year in contributions for a down payment. New immigrants who qualify can open one and combine it with the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan (HBP).
- Mortgage for New Immigrants: How to Get Approved Without Credit HistoryNew immigrants can get a mortgage in Canada without local credit history, but may need a larger down payment. This guide, based on official Canadian sources, explains the mortgage process, down payment requirements, and how to handle lack of credit history.
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