06/15/2026
π¬ "Do I really need 20% down to buy a home?" Short answer is NO! Here Sandra walks you through what it takes to purchase a home for $800,000 in Canada.
Here's what you actually need to know as a first-time buyer in 2026 π
In Canada, you can purchase a home with as little as 5% down. Here's how it works:
π 5% down on the first $500,000
π 10% on anything above that (up to $1.5 million)
When you put less than 20% down, you'll need CMHC mortgage default insurance, but here's the silver lining most people don't know: insured mortgages often come with BETTER rates than uninsured ones, because the lender's risk is covered.
With Ontario home prices softer than they've been in years, getting into the market may be more within reach than you think.
We'd love to show you the numbers, no pressure, just clarity! π
π The Mortgage Centre Guelph