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Keller Williams Edge
3185 Harvester Rd Unit 1 Burlington , Ontario L7N 3N8
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Buying or selling a home in Burlington comes with a lot of questions. Here are plain-English answers to the ones we hear most. If you do not see yours, ask us below. No pressure, just honest advice.
The main cost is real estate commission, which is negotiable and is agreed with your brokerage before you list. HST applies to commission in Ontario. You will also have legal fees for closing, any mortgage discharge fees or prepayment penalties from your lender, and moving costs. Some sellers also invest in small repairs, cleaning or staging. We will walk you through a full estimate of your costs before you decide anything.
Online estimates cannot see your renovations, your lot or what similar homes nearby actually sold for. The most reliable answer comes from a local comparison of recent sales. You can request a free, no-obligation home evaluation from our team.
It depends on the market, the price, the condition of the home and the time of year. Well-priced, well-prepared homes sell fastest. Our Monthly Market Update shares how quickly homes are selling right now.
Focus on inexpensive changes that help buyers feel good about the home: decluttering, deep cleaning, fresh neutral paint, small repairs and curb appeal. Big renovations rarely pay for themselves right before a sale. Our free Home Selling Checklist walks you through it.
Usually it comes down to price, presentation or exposure. We review the feedback and showing activity with you, and adjust the plan together. Our guide When Your Home Doesn’t Sell, in the Moving Toolkit, covers this in detail.
Selling first gives you certainty about your budget, while buying first means you will not have to rush your search. Many families use strategies like a longer closing, a conditional offer or bridge financing from their lender to line things up. The right choice depends on your finances and the market, so it is worth talking it through before you start.
Land transfer tax is paid by the buyer when a purchase closes, and is based on the purchase price. In Burlington you pay the Ontario land transfer tax only; the additional municipal land transfer tax applies in Toronto. Your real estate lawyer will calculate the exact amount.
Yes. Eligible first-time buyers can receive a refund of up to $4,000 of the Ontario land transfer tax. Federal programs, such as the First Home Savings Account and the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan, can also help. Check your eligibility with your lawyer and financial advisor.
Beyond your down payment, plan for land transfer tax, legal fees and disbursements, title insurance, a home inspection, adjustments for prepaid property taxes or utilities, and moving costs. If you have mortgage default insurance, Ontario charges provincial sales tax on the insurance premium, which is due on closing.
A deposit is usually delivered within 24 hours of your offer being accepted and is held in trust until closing, when it goes toward your purchase. The amount is negotiable and depends on the price and the market. We will help you choose an amount that makes your offer strong.
In Canada, many buyers can purchase with less than 20% down using mortgage default insurance, subject to minimum down payment rules and the purchase price. A mortgage professional can confirm exactly what applies to you, and we are happy to connect you with one.
A conditional offer lets you make your purchase subject to things like arranging financing, a satisfactory home inspection or selling your current home. You have a set number of days to satisfy the conditions. In a competitive market, fewer conditions can make an offer stronger, so we will talk through the trade-offs with you.
We recommend one for almost every purchase. An inspection helps you understand the condition of the home, spot costly issues and plan future maintenance. It can be a condition of your offer or done before an offer date.
Sometimes a seller sets an offer date and reviews all offers at once. Price matters, but so do deposit, conditions and closing date. We will help you decide on a strategy you are comfortable with, so you never feel pushed into overpaying.
Yes. In Ontario a real estate lawyer handles the legal side of closing, including the title search, title insurance, transferring funds and registering the sale. We can recommend trusted local lawyers.
Downsizing can free up time, money and energy, but it is also an emotional decision, and often a family one. Our free Legacy Roadmap: Downsizing Edition helps you think it through at your own pace.
Country homes come with extra questions: well water quality and flow, septic systems, zoning and conservation rules, and internet options. Our Legacy Roadmap: Country Living Edition covers what to check.
No. Home evaluations and first conversations are free, with no obligation and no pressure. We would rather you make the right decision, even if the answer is to wait.
This information is general and may change. For advice about your situation, speak with our team, your lawyer or your mortgage professional.
Keller Williams Edge
3185 Harvester Rd Unit 1 Burlington , Ontario L7N 3N8
