10/16/2026
One we hear all the time? āYou need 20% down to buy a home.ā
Nope! This is one of those mortgage myths that just refuses to disappear. š»
Hereās the general minimum down payment structure in Canada:
⨠Under $500k: 5% down.
⨠$500k to $1.5M: 5% on the first $500k, and 10% on the rest.
⨠Over $1.5M: This is where a flat 20% down becomes mandatory.
And while weāre busting myths, letās clear up another one:
Your deposit and down payment arenāt two separate expenses.
Your deposit is the upfront portion of your down payment that you provide when you remove subjects. It goes toward your total down payment, itās not an extra 5% you suddenly have to come up with. šš»
š Our tip: If youāre getting ready to house hunt, we like to see around 5% of your target purchase price readily accessible so youāre prepared to provide a deposit when the right home comes along.
Of course, there are other costs to plan for, and the amount youāll need depends on your specific situation.
But if youāve been thinking, āWe donāt have 20% saved, so we canāt buy yetā¦ā, donāt count yourself out just yet. š
Want to know what your actual numbers could look like? Send us a DM and letās map it out together! š
GET IN TOUCH
Luisa & Candice Mortgages
Connect with Luisa
M. 604-831-4394
E. [email protected]
W. luisahough.com
Connect with Candice
M. 604-836-6099
E. [email protected]
W. candiceliberatore.ca
GET IN TOUCH
Luisa & Candice Mortgages
Connect with Luisa
M. 604-831-4394
E. [email protected]
W. luisahough.com
Connect with Candice
M. 604-836-6099
E. [email protected]
W. candiceliberatore.ca