Your First Home Starts with a Plan
Your First Home Starts with a Plan
Buying your first home is an exciting step—but it can also feel overwhelming. At Valko Financial, we’re here to take the pressure off and guide you through the process with clarity, confidence, and real support every step of the way.
From understanding what you can afford to securing the best rate and accessing first-time buyer programs, we simplify the journey from “just looking” to “keys in hand.” We work with top lenders to find the right mortgage for your needs—so you don’t have to shop around or guess what’s next.
To get started, you’ll need a few basics: your employment and income details, credit history, a down payment (as little as 5% with CMHC insurance), and an idea of your monthly budget and lifestyle goals. But if you don’t have it all figured out yet, that’s okay. We’re here to help you build the plan that gets you home.
How much do I need for a down payment?
In Canada, the minimum down payment depends on the price of the home:
- 5% for homes up to $500,000
- 10% on the portion between $500,000 and $999,999
- 20% for homes priced at $1 million or more
If your down payment is less than 20%, mortgage default insurance (like CMHC insurance) is required.
Not sure where you stand? We’ll help you calculate what you need, explore your options, and build a plan that works for your budget.
What costs should I expect besides the down payment?
In addition to your down payment, you’ll need to budget for several closing and upfront costs, including:
- Legal fees
- Land transfer tax (varies by province; rebates available for first-time buyers)
- Home inspection and appraisal
- Title insurance
- Mortgage default insurance (if your down payment is less than 20%)
- Adjustments (such as prepaid property taxes or utilities)
- Moving expenses and utility hookups
A good rule of thumb is to set aside 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price for these costs.
At Valko Financial, we’ll walk you through all expected expenses so there are no surprises—and you can plan with confidence.
Can I use RRSPs or get help from family for my down payment?
Yes! There are two common ways to boost your down payment:
- RRSPs through the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP):
If you're a first-time homebuyer (or haven’t owned a home in the last four years), you can withdraw up to $60,000 tax-free from your RRSPs to put toward your down payment. You’ll have 15 years to repay the amount back into your RRSP. - A gifted down payment from family:
Many buyers receive financial help from family in the form of a gifted down payment. Lenders typically require a signed gift letter confirming the funds are a gift—not a loan—and that they don’t need to be repaid.
We had the pleasure of working with Samantha Ratz from Dominion lenders. She was truly amazing from start to finish. Samantha helped us get the best rate possible and kept us informed as the market changed. If we needed anything from her she was always just a phone call away anytime of the day. We would highly recommend the team of Tracey Valko at dominion lenders they will go that extra mile to get the job done and get your and family in your forever home.
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Chanel Savory
10 days ago
Jim Hergott
13 days ago
C B
14 days ago
Let’s Take the First Step Together
Buying your first home doesn’t have to be scary. With the right guidance, it’s exciting, empowering, and entirely possible.