Buying a Home in the GTA or Niagara Region
BUYING A HOME IN THE GTA OR NIAGARA WITHOUT THE GUESSWORK
Most of the buyers we work with are not just purchasing a home. They are moving between markets, downsizing, or making a financial decision that changes how they live.
Buying in the GTA or Niagara Region requires a different approach than it did even a few years ago.
We work as a husband-and-wife team with more than 30 years of combined experience. Françoise is a Realtor®, Keith is a Broker, and we represent buyers across two markets, one team. We tell you what you actually need to hear at every stage, including the times when buying is not the right move yet.
If you are not sure where to start, we can help you figure that out quickly.
Keith and Françoise helped me find my new condo. They were extremely helpful and the communication was clear and thorough. Highly recommend."
- S Holali
HOW WE WORK WITH BUYERS
01
Honesty
If the numbers do not work, we say so. If a property has issues we would not accept ourselves, we tell you before you write the offer. Our job is to protect your money, not move you through a transaction.
02
Access
Keith handles client-facing work, including showings, walkthroughs, and coordination with stagers and inspectors. Françoise handles contracts, paperwork, and the administrative side. You always have one of us available.
03
Strategy
Pricing in Ontario right now is not what it was in 2021 or 2022. We use HPI benchmark data from TRREB and CREA, current days-on-market figures, and recent sold comparables to position your offer. We will not push you into a bidding war that does not make sense.
04
Support
Buyers ask us about contractors, property tax appeals, utility setup, and tenant questions years after they close. We answer. That is part of the relationship.
FIRST-TIME BUYERS IN ONTARIO
Buying your first home in Ontario in 2026 is more complicated than it was even three years ago. Mortgage qualification rules, the FHSA, the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan, the federal First-Time Home Buyers’ GST/HST Rebate, and the Ontario land transfer tax rebate all change what you can afford and how the deal gets structured. The right Realtor® walks you through each of these before you start touring homes, not after.
We help first-time buyers in the GTA and the Niagara Region. Start with our First-Time Home Buyer Guide for Ontario for the full breakdown, or use the First-Time Home Buyer Checklist as a working document.
Even after closing, we stay available for the questions that come up in your first year as a homeowner.
BUYERS ACROSS TWO MARKETS, ONE TEAM
Every buyer comes to us at a different stage. Some are relocating from the GTA to Niagara looking to stretch their purchasing power. Some are downsizing and ready to simplify without leaving value behind. Some are navigating separation or a major life change and need steady, experienced guidance through a complicated transaction.
Each scenario needs a different approach, and we work all of them.
If you are buying in one market and selling in the other, our Cost of Living: GTA vs St. Catharines and GTA vs Niagara Home Search Tips articles are the right starting points.
START YOUR BUYING PLAN
A BUYER’S FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The questions we get most often from buyers across the GTA and Niagara Region.
What are typical closing costs when buying a home in Ontario?
Closing costs in Ontario typically run between 1.5% and 4% of the purchase price, depending on the municipality. The largest line item is land transfer tax. Toronto buyers pay both provincial and municipal land transfer tax, which roughly doubles the cost. Other costs include legal fees, title insurance, home inspection, status certificate review for condos, and adjustments for prepaid property taxes and utilities. First-time buyers may qualify for land transfer tax rebates that reduce these costs. Read our full breakdown in the Closing Day in the GTA article.
Should I buy a resale home or a new build in Ontario?
Resale homes in established neighbourhoods give you a known property, faster closing, completed schools and amenities, and a negotiable price. New builds give you warranty coverage under Tarion, customization options, and a longer wait, often 12 to 24 months. New build pricing is usually firm and HST treatment is different. The right answer depends on your timeline, financing, and tolerance for the unknowns of pre-construction.
Do you work with buyers in both the GTA and Niagara?
Yes. The Keith & Françoise Real Estate Team represents buyers across the GTA and Niagara Region. We are based in St. Catharines and active in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Vaughan, Etobicoke, and Toronto on the GTA side, and in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Thorold, and the surrounding Niagara communities. A meaningful share of our work is helping clients sell in one market and buy in the other.
How do I know if I should buy or keep renting in Ontario?
The buy-or-rent decision in Ontario depends on your timeline, your down payment, current mortgage rates, and what comparable rents look like in the community you want to live in. Buying generally makes financial sense if you plan to stay in the home for at least five years. Anything shorter and the transaction costs of buying and selling can offset the equity you build.