Today on the podcast, I am breaking down closing costs for first time home buyers in Ontario and why they are one of the most overlooked parts of the home buying process. I walk you through what you actually need saved beyond your down payment, and how to prepare for these costs so you can step into homeownership with confidence.

In this episode, I cover:

• What closing costs are and why they can range from 1.5% up to 4–6% of your purchase price in Ontario
• Legal fees explained, what your real estate lawyer does and how much you should budget
• Land transfer tax in Ontario, including first time home buyer rebates and how Toronto differs
• CMHC insurance tax and how insured mortgages impact your upfront closing costs
• Additional expenses like title insurance, home inspections, appraisals and rural property considerations
• How to prepare your funds, avoid surprises, and ensure your closing day goes smoothly

If you are a first time home buyer in Ontario trying to understand your true costs beyond the down payment, this episode will help you plan ahead and avoid costly surprises. Tune into Homeowner AF and take the next step toward homeownership fully prepared and financially confident.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
• Provincial Land Transfer Tax https://www.ontario.ca/document/land-transfer-tax ,
• Municipal Land Transfer Tax (Toronto https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/property-taxes-utilities/municipal-land-transfer-tax-mltt/municipal-land-transfer-tax-mltt-rates-and-fees/

Specific Questions? Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

Join my mailing list: https://briannagoslinmortgages.myflodesk.com/mortgagebites

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Today on the podcast, I am walking you through the true starting point of your homeownership journey as a first time home buyer in Ontario, and why getting a mortgage pre-approval before house hunting is one of the most important steps you can take. I break down exactly what a pre-approval includes, how it impacts your affordability, and how it sets you up to confidently enter the Canadian real estate market.

In this episode, I cover:

• What a mortgage pre-approval is and how it determines your maximum purchase price and monthly payment
• The three key factors lenders assess: income, credit, and down payment for first time home buyers
• How a rate hold works and how it protects you from rising interest rates in Ontario
• The difference between a pre-approval and a pre-qualification and why that matters for your home buying strategy
• What documents you need, including T4s, NOAs, credit reports, and down payment verification
• How working with a mortgage agent versus a bank can impact your mortgage options and approval

If you are a first time home buyer in Ontario looking to understand your numbers, strengthen your application, and move toward homeownership with confidence, I hope this episode will give you the clarity and strategy you need.

Send your podcast questions to hello@briannagoslinmortgages.com and my socials below, or send me a voice note to be featured on the podcast!

Specific Questions? Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

Join my mailing list: https://briannagoslinmortgages.myflodesk.com/mortgagebites

Website: http://www.briannagoslinmortgages.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannagoslinmortgages
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianna.goslin.mortgages
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannagoslinmortgages

Today on the podcast, I am clearing up one of the biggest myths in Canadian real estate: that every first time home buyer needs 20% down. I break down what the minimum down payment actually looks like in Ontario, how CMHC insurance works, and how to decide whether buying sooner or waiting aligns better with your homeownership and wealth building goals.

In this episode, I cover:

• Minimum down payment rules in Canada: 5%, 10% and how it’s calculated
• What an insured mortgage is and how CMHC, Sagen and Canada Guaranty protect lenders
• The true cost of mortgage insurance and how the premium is added to your loan
• Interest rate advantages of insured mortgages versus 20% down
• Ontario closing costs, land transfer tax and why your down payment is not your only expense

If you are a first time home buyer in Ontario trying to figure out how much you really need saved, this episode will help you make a confident, strategic decision. Tune into Homeowner AF and take the next step toward homeownership with clarity.

Send your podcast questions to hello@briannagoslinmortgages.com and my socials below, or send me a voice note to be featured on the podcast!


Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
How much you need for a downpayment from the Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/mortgages/down-payment.html?

Canadian mortgage insurers:
• Canada Guaranty: https://www.canadaguaranty.ca
• Sagen: https://www.sagen.ca
• CMHC: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Specific Questions? Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

Join my mailing list: https://briannagoslinmortgages.myflodesk.com/mortgagebites

Website: http://www.briannagoslinmortgages.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannagoslinmortgages
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianna.goslin.mortgages
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannagoslinmortgages