Real Estate FAQ: Straight Answers for GTA Buyers & Sellers.

Start with a home evaluation. I look at recent sales of comparable homes nearby, what's active and what didn't sell, and the condition and features of your home. From there we build a pricing strategy, not just a number.

Focus on what buyers notice first: decluttering, a deep clean, small repairs, good lighting and fresh neutral paint where needed. Big renovations rarely pay back right before a sale, so talk to me before you start one. My selling game plan covers the prep list.

Every listing gets a plan: pricing strategy, prep and staging advice, professional photography, an MLS® listing, online and social exposure, and organized showings. You can see the full playbook on How I Market Your Home.

Depending on the strategy, we either review offers as they arrive or set an offer date so buyers have time to see the home. We compare price, deposit, conditions and closing date, not just the top number, and I negotiate on your instructions. Once an offer is firm, your lawyer takes over the legal side. See how I sell.

The First Home Savings Account (FHSA) lets eligible first-time buyers save for a home with tax-deductible contributions and tax-free qualifying withdrawals. Annual and lifetime contribution limits are set by the federal government. Read my FHSA guide and confirm details with CRA or your financial adviser.

The Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) lets eligible first-time buyers withdraw money from their RRSP toward a qualifying home without paying tax on the withdrawal, as long as it's repaid over a set period. Withdrawal limits and repayment rules are set by CRA and have changed over time. In many cases you can use the HBP and an FHSA for the same purchase. Learn more on my first-time buyers page.

Yes. Ontario offers a land transfer tax refund for eligible first-time buyers, up to a set maximum, and the City of Toronto has its own first-time buyer rebate on its municipal land transfer tax. Eligibility rules apply, and your lawyer usually claims the rebate at closing. See the first-time buyers page.

The minimum down payment in Canada depends on the purchase price, and with a smaller down payment you'll generally need mortgage default insurance. Your lender or mortgage broker can confirm the minimum for your price range. Budget closing costs separately, because your down payment doesn't cover them. Start with my first-time buyer game plan.

Common signs are empty rooms, more upkeep than you want, stairs that are getting harder, or a wish to free up equity. There's no right age; it's about what you want the next stage of life to look like. Explore my downsizing game plan.

Condos trade yard work for fees and shared amenities, bungalows offer one-floor living with more privacy, and townhouses sit in between. We weigh upkeep, accessibility, budget and how close you want to be to family and services. Compare the options on my downsizing page.

Start early and go room by room with keep, gift, sell and donate piles, and bring family in on the sentimental pieces. Measure your new space so you know what will fit. My downsizing page has a step-by-step plan.

Generally the estate trustee (executor) named in the will, or one appointed by the court, handles the sale. In many cases a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee (probate) is needed before a sale can close, and your estate lawyer will confirm what's required. See Estate Sales.

In some cases, yes, with your lawyer's guidance, the right wording in the agreement and a closing date that allows time for probate. Your estate lawyer should confirm the timing before anything is signed. Meanwhile, I can help coordinate prep and marketing; learn more on Estate Sales.

Contents usually need to be distributed to beneficiaries, sold or donated before showings or closing. A vacant home may need special insurance coverage and regular checks, so speak to the insurer early. I can suggest help with clear-outs and prep; see Estate Sales.

Plan for land transfer tax, legal fees and disbursements, title insurance, property tax and utility adjustments, a home inspection and moving costs. If you have mortgage default insurance, Ontario charges sales tax on the premium, payable at closing. Your lawyer gives you a final statement before closing. See the cost checklist on my first-time buyers page.

Generally, yes. Homes in the City of Toronto pay both the Ontario land transfer tax and the Toronto municipal land transfer tax, while homes elsewhere in the GTA generally pay only the provincial tax. Eligible first-time buyers may get rebates on both. Use the official calculators, and see my Toronto community page.

Selling costs usually include real estate commission plus HST, legal fees, paying out your mortgage and any prepayment penalty, and prep such as repairs, cleaning or staging. Commission is negotiable and set out in your listing agreement. We go through your numbers together, starting with a home evaluation.

If the home was your principal residence for every year you owned it, the gain is generally exempt, but you still report the sale on your tax return. Rentals, second properties and homes sold soon after buying can be treated differently. Talk to your accountant, and find more on the blog.

The lawyers exchange funds and documents, the transfer is registered electronically and the keys are released once it's done. Buyers usually get a final visit before closing if the agreement allows it. Closings can run into the afternoon, so plan your move with some flexibility. Questions? Book a discovery call.