Guidance First
First-time buyers
Start with a clear, step-by-step plan instead of piecing advice together from forums.
GTA home buying guide
A Practical GTA Home Buying Guide
Buying a home becomes easier to plan when the budget, financing, property choices, offer terms and closing costs are organized before deadlines begin.
Gaurang Shah, Real Estate Broker with Royal LePage Flower City Realty, prepared this plain-English guide to help buyers understand the process and identify questions for their lender, lawyer, inspector and other professionals.
General planning guidance only. Confirm mortgage, legal and tax details with the appropriate licensed professional before making decisions.
What you'll learn
Everything you need before you start touring homes.
Quick answer: The guide connects your budget, financing, target neighbourhood and offer strategy into one clear plan, instead of piecing it together from a dozen different sources.
Down payment & mortgage insurance rules
Closing costs checklist
Mortgage pre-approval steps
FHSA & RRSP Home Buyers' Plan
Brampton, Mississauga & Toronto compared
Condo vs. townhouse vs. detached
Building a confident offer
Offer-to-closing day timeline
Mistakes to avoid & glossary of terms
Who this helps
Built for anyone buying in the GTA — not just first-timers.
Newcomers to Canada
Understand the GTA buying process, financing options and neighbourhood choices from scratch.
Move-up buyers
Refresh your knowledge of offer strategy and closing costs before your next purchase.
Renters ready to stop renting
Compare what you're paying now against what ownership could realistically look like.
Did you know?
Ontario offers a land transfer tax rebate for eligible first-time buyers — the guide explains how to check if you qualify.
Did you know?
A mortgage pre-approval shows what you may qualify for — not automatically what's comfortable to carry every month.
Get your copy
Get the GTA Home Buying Guide
Enter your first name and email. After you submit, the WordPress-hosted PDF download will appear on this page.
Guide ready
Your Buyer's Guide Is Ready
Use the button below to open the PDF hosted in the WordPress Media Library. You can save it to your device for later.
Common questions
Buyer's Guide — FAQ
What's included in the GTA Home Buying Guide?
The guide covers budgeting, financing preparation, comparing locations and property types, viewing and due-diligence questions, offer planning, closing costs and the steps between an accepted offer and closing.
How do I get the guide after I submit the form?
The download appears in the same section of this page after submission. The PDF is hosted in the WordPress Media Library, so you can open it immediately and save a copy to your device.
Do I have to provide a phone number?
Yes. First name, last name, email and phone are all required for the guide request. Target area and timeline are optional and can be left blank.
Do I have to book a call to receive the guide?
No. The guide is available after the form is submitted. A buyer planning call is a separate option when you want to discuss your search, financing questions or next steps with Gaurang.
Is the guide only useful for first-time buyers?
No. It can also help newcomers, move-up buyers and people returning to the market after several years organize the process and the professionals they may need.
How much down payment will I need?
The amount depends on the purchase price, property type, financing structure and current insured-mortgage rules. Use the guide as a planning aid and confirm the current requirements with your lender or mortgage professional before relying on a number.
Which costs should I plan for beyond the down payment?
Possible costs include land transfer tax, legal fees, title insurance, inspections, appraisal or lender requirements, property adjustments, moving and immediate ownership expenses. The actual amounts depend on the property and financing, so confirm them with the appropriate professionals.
Will requesting the guide subscribe me to ongoing updates?
Yes. Requesting the guide includes agreeing to receive occasional GTA market updates and buyer tips by email. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in those emails.
Important disclaimer
Use this guide for planning only.
This guide is for general planning only. It is not legal, mortgage, tax or financial advice, and no agent can guarantee a specific price or accepted offer. Down payment rules, mortgage insurance limits, land transfer tax rebates and closing costs can change — confirm your specific numbers with your lender, lawyer, mortgage professional and accountant before making decisions.
Ready to talk through your numbers?
The guide gives you the roadmap. A quick call with Gaurang turns it into a plan built around your budget, timeline and target areas.
Call (647) 892-2411 · Email mail@myshahteam.com
Keep exploring
More buyer resources
Gaurang Shah is a Real Estate Broker with Team Shah Real Estate at Royal LePage Flower City Realty, and a member of the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), serving buyers across the Greater Toronto Area including Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto and Peel Region. Gaurang and the Team Shah team assist clients in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi and Marathi. This guide offers general planning guidance only and is not legal, mortgage or tax advice. For advice on your specific situation, speak with the appropriate licensed professional. Call or text (647) 892-2411 or email mail@myshahteam.com.