Own In Toronto
Real Estate
Resources
Guides, explainers, and practical insights on buying, selling, and owning in Toronto, written by someone who works this market every day.
Whether you're a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor, or simply keeping an eye on the market, this is your go-to resource for honest, practical insights on Toronto real estate.
Buying a Home in Toronto: The Complete Guide
Everything a Toronto buyer needs in one place: getting mortgage-ready, budgeting for closing costs, making a competitive offer, and closing with confidence. Start here.
Read the GuideToronto Real Estate FAQ
Honest answers to the most common questions about buying, selling, condos, neighbourhoods, and investing in Toronto real estate.
Read MoreRenting vs. Owning in Toronto
A numbers-first breakdown of what owning really costs vs. renting, with real scenarios for a $650K condo and $1.2M detached, plus an interactive calculator to run your own numbers.
Read More5 Common Mistakes First Time Homebuyers Make in Toronto
Buying your first home in Toronto is exciting, but costly missteps are easy to make without the right guidance. Here are the five mistakes Dave sees most often.
Read MoreLand Transfer Tax in Toronto
How to calculate land transfer tax in Ontario, what you'll owe, and what rebates may be available to you as a first-time buyer.
Read MoreDown Payment and Deposit
Two terms that often get confused. Here's a clear breakdown of the difference between a deposit and a down payment when buying a home in Toronto.
Read More"Sold Conditionally": What Does It Mean in Real Estate?
You've seen it on listings, but what does "sold conditionally" actually mean, and what does it mean for buyers and sellers in Toronto?
Read MoreIntro to Assignment Sales
What is an assignment sale? A clear explainer on how assignment transactions work in Ontario's pre-construction market, and what buyers need to know.
Read MoreKitec Plumbing in Toronto
Buying a condo built between 1995 and 2007? Here's everything you need to know about Kitec plumbing: what it is, why it fails, what replacement costs, and which buildings are affected.
Read MoreFirst-Time Home Buyer Guide Toronto
How the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan and FHSA work, minimum down payment requirements, true closing costs, and the step-by-step buying process for first-time buyers in Toronto.
Read MoreToronto Real Estate Calculators
Free calculators for Toronto buyers: mortgage payments with Canadian compounding, minimum down payment, CMHC insurance, land transfer tax, and total closing costs.
Try the CalculatorsHow to Research Schools When Buying in Toronto
Catchments, Fraser rankings, French immersion, and what to verify before you make an offer.
Read MoreYour Toronto Mortgage Guide
The stress test, pre-approval, fixed vs. variable, and whether to use a broker or your bank.
Read MoreBuying a Condo in Toronto
Status certificates, reserve funds, maintenance fees, condo rules, and how to evaluate a building before making an offer. Everything a condo buyer in Toronto needs to know. Start here.
Read the GuideCondo Maintenance Fees in Toronto
What condo maintenance fees actually cover, what drives them up, and how to evaluate whether a building's fees are reasonable before you make an offer.
Read MoreCondo vs. Freehold in Toronto: Which Should You Buy?
The real cost difference, what you actually own, and how to decide which property type fits your budget and life.
Read MoreHow to Read a Toronto Condo Status Certificate
What's inside the document, what red flags to look for, and what your lawyer needs to check before you waive conditions.
Read MoreCondo Special Assessments in Toronto Explained
What causes them, how much they cost, and how to spot the risk in the status certificate before you buy.
Read MorePre-Construction Condos in Toronto
Deposits, interim occupancy, closing adjustments, the 10-day rescission period, and everything Toronto buyers need to know before signing with a developer.
Read MoreSelling Your Home in Toronto: The Complete Guide
Everything a Toronto seller needs to know, from pre-listing decisions and preparation through pricing, offer night, and what you'll actually take home after closing. Start here.
Read the GuideStaging Your Home for Sale in Toronto
Staged homes sell faster and for more. Here's what professional staging actually involves, what it costs, and how to prepare your home before photos are taken.
Read MorePricing Your Toronto Home and Navigating the Selling Process
How to set the right price, read the market, and manage the process from listing agreement to closing, step by step.
Read MoreWhat Does a Seller Actually Take Home?
Every cost that comes off your sale price, including commission, mortgage, legal fees, plus an interactive net proceeds calculator to run your own numbers.
Read MoreShould You Buy or Sell First? A Guide for Homeowners
One of the most common dilemmas for homeowners on the move. A practical guide to help you decide which order makes sense for your situation.
Read MoreWhat Is My Home Worth?
How home appraisals differ from a CMA, why online estimates miss by 10-20%, and what a comparative market analysis actually tells you about your Toronto property's value.
Read MoreOwning a Home in Toronto: The Complete Guide
Everything Toronto homeowners need in one place: what to do after closing, seasonal maintenance, renovating with permits, finding a good contractor, and building long-term equity. Start here.
Read the GuidePermit vs. No Permit: What Work Requires a Permit in Toronto
What renovation work requires a building permit in Toronto, what doesn't, and why unpermitted work can create real problems when you sell your home.
Read MoreFinding a Contractor in Toronto
How to find, vet, and hire a reliable contractor in Toronto: where to look, what to ask, red flags to walk away from, and what every contract must include.
Read MoreWhat to Do After Closing on Your Toronto Home
You have the keys. A practical first-30-days timeline covering locks, utilities, address changes, property tax registration, and your RRSP Home Buyers' Plan repayment.
Read MoreHome Improvement Incentives in Toronto
A guide to grants, rebates, and financing programs available to Toronto homeowners for renovations, energy upgrades, and accessibility improvements.
Read MoreLaneway Suites in Toronto
What is a laneway suite, can your property support one, and does it make financial sense? Everything Toronto homeowners need to know about building a secondary unit.
Read MoreShould I Renovate Before Selling?
Most renovations return 50-80 cents on the dollar. Here's what actually pays back before you list.
Read MoreToronto Home Maintenance: A Seasonal Guide
A practical seasonal checklist for Toronto homeowners, covering what to inspect, maintain, and address each quarter to protect your investment year-round.
Read MoreInvesting in Real Estate
An introduction to investment properties in the GTA, covering what to consider, how to evaluate a deal, and how Dave can help you get started.
Read MoreInvestment Properties in Toronto
The types of investment properties available in the GTA, how to evaluate a deal, what the real numbers look like on cash flow vs. appreciation, and how to build long-term wealth through Toronto real estate.
Read MoreBuying a Multiplex in Toronto
Duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes: financing rules, down payment requirements, house hacking strategies, due diligence, and the best Toronto neighbourhoods for multi-unit investing.
Read MoreCMHC MLI Select Explained
How the MLI Select program works, what the points tiers unlock, and why multi-unit investors are using it to access better financing on 5+ unit properties.
Read MoreToronto Real Estate Investment Calculators
Five real-time calculators: cash flow, cash-on-cash return, cap rate, maximum offer price, and 20-year wealth projection. Run the numbers on any property before you make an offer.
Try the CalculatorsRent Guideline Rate for 2026
The Province of Ontario has set the Residential Rental Increase Guideline for 2026. Here's what landlords and tenants need to know.
Read MoreThe RTA Explained: Key Rules Every Toronto Landlord and Tenant Should Know
A plain-English guide to the RTA: what it covers, landlord and tenant obligations, rent control rules, and how the eviction process actually works.
Read MoreHow to Prepare for Renting in Toronto
What landlords need to do before listing a rental unit: from preparing the lease and setting the right rent to screening tenants and understanding your obligations under the RTA.
Read MoreRenting in Toronto as a Newcomer
How to get approved without Canadian credit history, what landlords look for, and your rights as a tenant.
Read MoreHave a Question About the Toronto Market?
Every situation is different. If you'd like personalized advice on buying, selling, or investing in Toronto real estate, Dave is always happy to connect.
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