A first purchase feels complicated because you're learning the process while you're going through it. In reality, the steps to buying a house are almost always the same: eight steps, in the same order. Knowing where you stand lets you show up ready for each one, instead of being caught off guard by the deadlines.
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First
Decide whether it's the right time
Buying isn't only about money: job stability, your plans for the next few years, the neighbourhood you have in mind. Take an honest look at your situation before you dive in.
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3 to 12 months before
Get your finances ready
Put together your down payment (savings, First Home Savings Account (FHSA — CELIAPP in French), Home Buyers' Plan (HBP), a family gift), check your credit report and pay down your debts. This is the longest step, and the one that shapes all the others.
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1 to 3 months before
Get a mortgage pre-approval
A lender reviews your income, debts and credit, then confirms a maximum amount and guarantees you a rate for a limited time. Without it, you're shopping blind.
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Weeks to months
Choose a broker and start your search
A real estate broker who represents the buyer gives you access to listings, helps you compare actual prices in the neighbourhood and spots what doesn't add up. Go to visits with a clear list of criteria: what's non-negotiable and what's nice to have.
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Offer day
Make a promise to purchase
Your offer sets the price, the possession date and, above all, the conditions that protect you: inspection, financing and, if applicable, the sale of another property. The seller can accept, refuse or make a counter-offer.
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About 7 to 10 days after acceptance
Pre-purchase inspection
An inspector examines the building and gives you a report. If a major problem turns up, you can renegotiate or withdraw, depending on the terms of your promise to purchase. For a condo, this is also when you review the syndicate's documents.
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Usually 7 to 21 days after acceptance
Confirm your financing
Your lender orders an appraisal of the property and gives final approval for the loan. Once the financing condition is waived, the sale becomes firm. Avoid any new purchase on credit during this period: it could put the approval at risk.
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Usually 30 to 90 days after acceptance
Sign at the notary's office and get the keys
The notary checks the titles, prepares the deed of sale and the hypothec (mortgage deed), and calculates the tax adjustments. You hand over the down payment and closing costs. Once you've signed, the keys are yours — and the welcome tax bill arrives a few weeks later.
The three most expensive mistakes
- Shopping before you're pre-approved. You risk falling for a property that's out of budget, or losing a house because you can't make an offer quickly.
- Forgetting closing costs. The down payment isn't enough: welcome tax, notary, inspection and adjustments often add up to several thousand dollars more, payable in cash.
- Waiving conditions too quickly. In a competitive market, it's tempting to skip the inspection. That's rarely a good idea on a first purchase.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to buy a first home in Quebec?
If your financing is ready, plan on 3 to 6 months in general between starting your search and getting the keys, including 30 to 90 days between the accepted offer and signing at the notary's office. Building your down payment can add several months or years beforehand.
What is the first step to buying a house?
Your finances: assess how much you can borrow, put together your down payment and check your credit report, then get a mortgage pre-approval before you start visiting properties.
