In 2025, skyrocketing home prices and strict mortgage qualification rules have made it increasingly difficult for young adults to buy their first home on their own. This growing trend reflects both the financial realities facing younger generations and the evolving role of the so-called “Bank of Mom and Dad” in helping them achieve homeownership. Here are several options for parents to help their child(ren).
Purchasing A Home
Closing Costs Breakdown for Ontario Real Estate Transactions
The typical closing costs involved in an Ontario real estate transaction include legal fees, title insurance, land transfer tax and out-of-pocket expenses.
Pitfalls to Avoid in Joint Property Ownership
Owning real estate with an investment partner is a popular choice among real estate investors, but this strategy comes with its own set of challenges. While there are many advantages to sharing ownership of properties with a partner, clear communication in agreements is the true key to success.
Ontario Land Transfer Tax: How Much Do You Have To Pay?
What is land transfer tax?
In Ontario, the land transfer tax is a fee you pay to the provincial government when you acquire real estate. It’s calculated as a percentage of the property’s purchase price and is due upon closing. Your real estate lawyer will handle the land transfer tax payment on your behalf as part of the closing process.
Foregoing a home inspection? Proceed with caution.
As a buyer, it can be tempting to forego all conditions. Financing, home sale, and home inspection conditions are the most common conditions. If you are considering excluding conditions, we urge you to reconsider.
Red flags that can arise in your title search
Red flags that can arise in your title search. When you are selling, the deal will not close without a current title search on your property. A title search ensures there are no hindrances for a new owner taking possession. Sometimes, there are red flags.
I want to purchase a home that has existing tenants. What are my next steps as the purchaser?
I want to purchase a home that has existing tenants. What are my next steps as the purchaser? If you intend to reside in the house yourself, you must negotiate a clause in the contract calling for “Vacant Possession”. This now puts the onus on the seller to ensure the house is empty at the date of closing.
My financing fell through two weeks until closing. What are my options?
It is a worst-case scenario if your real estate deal does not close on the agreed-upon date. The buyer failing to secure financing is one reason that a real estate deal could go south. What happens next?
The sellers left the house a mess! What can I do?
“The seller didn’t sweep the hallway like they said they would!” “The seller left a bunch of garbage!” “There are so many holes in the walls!” You do your final walkthrough of the home 2 weeks before closing. You realize that the home is in disarray, but the seller...
The changing real estate market in Durham Region
There’s never a perfect market. The more you know about the problems that can potentially arise, the better prepared you will be. At McMurter & Associates, we always recommend having a contingency plan in place given the unpredictability of this ever-changing market.