Making a down payment on a home: tips and advice

A down payment is the amount you pay up front when buying a home. You can't get a mortgage, which covers the rest of the purchase, without making a down payment.

Generally speaking, a down payment should be at least 5% of the property's purchase price, but should ideally be 20%. That's because a larger down payment means lower mortgage payments. In certain cases, the down payment can be based on a set value determined by the lender. For example, it can be based on the market value, or another value.

The amount you put down depends on the price of the property. In some cases, it can also be higher, depending on the lender's conditions.

If the price of the property is $500,000 or less, you'll need a down payment of at least 5%.

For example, if you'd like to buy a property listed at $350,000, you'd have to put down $17,500, which is 5% of the purchase price. If you wanted to put down 20% of the purchase price, you'd need to save up $70,000.

If the price of the property is more than $500,000, you'll have to put down more than 5%

For example, if you buy a property for $650,000, the minimum down payment would be 5% on the first $500,000 ($25,000) plus 10% on the remaining amount ($15,000), for a total of $40,000. However, a 20% down payment (in this case, $130,000) is still preferable, since you'd be able to skip the mortgage insurance and reduce the total cost of your mortgage.

But 20% is a lot …

You're not wrong! If you don't have that much saved up, you can still get a mortgage. However, you'll need to get mortgage insurance†. This will increase the total cost of your mortgage, but will let you make a smaller down payment. 

Generally speaking, closing costs are at least 3% of the price of the home. You'll have to show that you have money set aside for this when you apply for a mortgage. If you don't, it can be rolled into your mortgage. Closing costs cover basic expenses tied to purchasing a home, such as:

Inspection and appraisal fees

• Legal fees
• The land transfer tax, known in Quebec as the "welcome tax"
• Home insurance
• Hook-up fees (electricity, internet, etc.)
• Home and yard maintenance
• Moving costs
• Allocation and account adjustment fees

This tool can help you calculate potential closing costs. 

Saving up for a down payment can be no small task. Fortunately, there are certain tax benefits and plans that can help you save. You can also take advantage of some government financial incentives, or, if you can, get help from your family. These are all options that can help you.

Start saving as early as possible

Time is on your side: if you start saving early, you'll earn more interest, and your money will grow faster. Setting up automatic transfers can be a good way to save regularly, without even having to think about it.

Make the most of tax-advantaged savings plans

There are different savings plans that can help you save up for your down payment. 

The first home savings account (FHSA) was created to make home ownership easier, and combines some of the benefits of RRSPs and TFSAs:

• Contributions made to an FHSA are deductible, which reduces your taxable income.
• Withdrawals are not taxable, subject to certain conditions, if they are used to buy a qualifying home.
• The yearly FHSA contribution limit is $8,000, while the lifetime limit is $40,000. 

A registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) can be used toward buying a first home. With the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP), you can, under certain conditions, take out up to $35,000 from your RRSP ($70,000 per couple) tax-free in the year you buy or build your first home. In addition, RRSP contributions reduce your taxable income. You can also, depending on your situation, take out an RRSP loan to increase your contributions. 

The advantage of a tax-free savings account (TFSA) is that it lets your savings grow tax-free. The money in your TFSA can be used for any goal you have, including saving for a down payment. You can also withdraw money from your TFSA to contribute to your RRSP for the tax benefits. 

Did you know? At both the provincial and federal levels, governments have proposed certain measures to help you buy your first home.

• The Government of Canada's First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit (HBTC)
• The Quebec government's Home Buyers' Tax Credit
• Land transfer tax refunds for first-time home buyers in Ontario
• The GST/HST new housing rebate
• The GST and QST rebate for owners of new or substantially renovated housing
• Tax holidays, generally lasting between 1 and 5 years, offered by some municipalities to attract new homeowners 

Making a detailed budget that lists your income, expenses and debts is a good place to start. This will help you determine how big a mortgage you can afford. You can use an online tool to help. This information will help your advisor get an accurate picture of your financial situation and suggest an appropriate amount to borrow.  

Contact us for your next steps 

Remember, no matter what your situation is, and no matter what you're looking to achieve, it's never too early to start saving for a down payment.

There are many ways to help make your dream of becoming a homeowner a reality. For example, you can buy property with your family or friends, rent out a part of your future residence or even decide to live in a multigenerational home. In any case, turn to people with experience to help answer your questions and guide you along the way. Buying a home is important—don't take a gamble on it!