A first purchase involves at least four or five professionals. Each one has a specific role, steps in at a specific moment and isn't paid the same way. Knowing who does what keeps you from paying twice for the same service — or from assuming something was checked when nobody was actually responsible for it.
The buyer's real estate broker
What they do: gives you access to properties for sale, organizes visits, compares actual prices in the neighbourhood, drafts your promise to purchase and negotiates on your behalf. They also flag what deserves a question: recent work, the property's history, condo documents.
When: ideally as soon as you have your pre-approval, before your first serious visits.
Who pays: in Quebec, their compensation usually comes out of the commission paid by the seller. Still, confirm the terms in the agreement you sign with them: that document is what counts.
The mortgage broker
What they do: rather than meeting each bank one by one, you hand your file to a mortgage broker who presents it to several lenders and compares rates and terms. They help you get your pre-approval, then the final financing once your offer is accepted.
When: before your search, for the pre-approval, then during the financing condition period.
Who pays: they're usually paid by the lender that grants the loan. Ask them to confirm this in writing, especially if your file is out of the ordinary. You can also deal directly with your own financial institution.
The building inspector
What they do: examines the property (structure, roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, signs of moisture) and gives you a written report. The work is visual: they don't open anything up and they don't guarantee there are no hidden defects, but they'll point out what deserves a specialist's opinion.
When: after the offer is accepted, during the inspection condition period, generally 7 to 10 days.
Who pays: the buyer, generally $500 to $900 as a rough guide for a house; a condo usually costs less.
Starting October 1, 2027, building inspectors will need to hold a certificate from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). Until then, check that the inspector belongs to an association and carries liability insurance.
The notary
What they do: a real estate notary's job in a home purchase is to secure the transaction. In Quebec, the notary handles the closing: they check the property titles and make sure there are no debts or charges registered against the building, prepare the deed of sale and the hypothec (mortgage deed), calculate the tax adjustments, receive your down payment and the lender's funds, then pay the seller. They then register the deeds so the property is officially in your name.
When: as soon as the sale is firm, to prepare the signing; then on signing day, and a few days afterwards for the final formalities.
Who pays: in Quebec, the buyer chooses the notary and pays their fees, generally $1,500 to $3,000 as a rough guide for a purchase with a mortgage. Ask for a written quote that includes disbursements. See the fee ranges →
The accountant or tax specialist
What they do: not mandatory, but useful if you're combining several measures: withdrawals from the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) and your First Home Savings Account (FHSA — CELIAPP in French), contribution deductions, first-time home buyer tax credits, Quebec's credit tied to the welcome tax. They help you choose the order of operations and fill out your returns correctly.
When: before you contribute and withdraw, then at tax time for the year of the purchase, and during the HBP repayment years.
Who pays: you, based on their fees. For a simple file, good tax software may be enough.
Summary table
| Professional | Role | When | Who pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate broker | Search, visits, offer, negotiation | From pre-approval onward | Usually out of the seller's commission (to be confirmed) |
| Mortgage broker | Shop for and secure the loan | Before the search and during the financing condition | Usually the lender |
| Inspector | Examine the building, provide a report | After the offer is accepted | The buyer ($500 to $900, as a rough guide) |
| Notary | Titles, deeds, adjustments, paying the seller | From firm sale to registration of the deeds | The buyer ($1,500 to $3,000, as a rough guide) |
| Accountant or tax specialist | HBP, FHSA, tax credits | Before withdrawals and at tax time | The buyer, if they hire one |
Who coordinates everyone?
In practice, it's often your real estate broker who ties things together: they send the accepted offer to the lender and the notary, and help schedule the inspection within the deadlines. Équipe Lefrançois brokers can coordinate the other professionals for you: talk to a broker. To see when each one comes into play, read the steps to buying a house.
Frequently asked questions
What does a notary do when you buy a house in Quebec?
The notary checks the property titles, prepares the deed of sale and the hypothec (mortgage deed), calculates the tax adjustments, receives the funds and pays the seller, then registers the deeds. In Quebec, the buyer generally chooses and pays the notary.
Who pays the mortgage broker?
A mortgage broker is usually paid by the lender that grants the loan. Ask them to confirm in writing whether there could be any fees for you.
Does a buyer's real estate broker cost anything?
In Quebec, their compensation usually comes out of the commission paid by the seller. The exact terms are set out in the agreement you sign with them.
