The steps to buying your first home in Montréal

Published

August 7, 2026

Reading time

min

To buy a first home, you start by assessing what you can afford and getting your down payment ready. The FHSA and the HBP can help, depending on your situation. Then you define your needs and your area, visit, and make a promise to purchase with a real estate broker. After the offer come the pre-purchase inspection, confirming the financing and signing the deed of sale at the notary's.

Buying a first property is a big step and it takes good preparation. Whether you want a house, a condo or a plex in Montréal, on the Plateau-Mont-Royal, in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie or in Outremont, it helps to understand each step of the buying process.

From financing to signing at the notary's, here are the main steps to know for a successful first purchase.

1. Assess what you can afford

Before you start looking at properties for sale in Montréal, you need to know your budget.

Take the time to look at your income, your expenses, your down payment and how much you're comfortable putting toward your property each month. Don't forget the extra costs like municipal and school taxes, insurance, condo fees if it's a condo, and maintenance.

Meeting with a mortgage broker will tell you how much you can borrow and what financing options are available.

2. Get your down payment ready

The down payment is a key part of buying a first property. The minimum required depends mainly on the purchase price and the type of property.

You also need to plan for the other transaction costs, like notary fees, the welcome tax (property transfer duties), the inspection and some tax adjustments.

Programs like the FHSA and the HBP can also help first-time buyers build their down payment, depending on their situation and the eligibility criteria.

3. Define your needs and choose your area

Before you start visiting, pin down your priorities: type of property, budget, number of bedrooms, parking, outdoor space, how close you are to transit and services.

The neighbourhood matters too. In Montréal, properties and market conditions can vary a lot from one area to another.

The Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie and Outremont each have different types of properties, different prices and a different market. Knowing which areas fit the way you live lets you focus your search and compare properties better.

4. Work with a real estate broker in Montréal

A real estate broker can guide you through the whole buying process, from searching for properties to negotiating the promise to purchase.

A broker who knows the Montréal market and its sought-after areas can help you analyze properties, understand market prices and spot what to watch for before making an offer.

For a first-time buyer, that support also helps make sense of the documents, the conditions of a promise to purchase and the different steps of the transaction.

5. Visit properties and make an offer

When you find a property that fits your criteria, take the time to look at it carefully.

Beyond how it looks, consider the general condition of the building, the work to plan for, the surroundings, the taxes and, for a condo, the state of the co-ownership.

Your real estate broker can then help you prepare the promise to purchase and set a price and conditions that fit the situation.

Depending on the situation, the offer can be conditional on getting financing or on a satisfactory inspection.

6. Do the inspection and finalize the financing

The pre-purchase inspection tells you more about the condition of the property before the transaction is final.

An inspector can point out problems or items that need attention in the structure, the roof, the plumbing, the electrical or other accessible components.

This is also when the financing has to be finalized with your financial institution to confirm your mortgage.

7. Go to the notary and become an owner

Once the conditions of the offer are met and the financing is confirmed, the transaction can be finalized at the notary's.

The notary prepares the documents for the transaction and handles the signing of the deed of sale.

Once the transaction is complete, you officially own your new house, condo or property in Montréal.

Key takeaways

A first purchase takes more than finding a property you like. First you need to set your budget, get your down payment ready, choose the right area and understand the costs that come with buying.

Whether you're looking for a condo on the Plateau-Mont-Royal, a house in Rosemont or a property in Outremont, a real estate broker in Montréal can guide you at every step and help you make informed decisions.

Good preparation lets you go into your first purchase with more confidence and end up with a purchase that fits your situation.