Buying & selling, by the numbers
Estimate what it really costs to buy a home — or what you walk away with when you sell. Built for Québec, with welcome tax, CMHC insurance, sales tax and the costs people forget.
| Term | Rate | Monthly | Interest over term | Balance at end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-yr fixed | — | — | — | |
| 2-yr fixed | — | — | — | |
| 3-yr fixed | — | — | — | |
| 5-yr fixed | — | — | — | |
| Variable | — | — | — |
Monthly payment, total interest paid during the term, and the balance still owing when the term ends — all on the down payment above. Edit any rate.
| Down payment | Amount | CMHC premium | Total mortgage | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | — | — | — | — |
| 10% | — | — | — | — |
| 15% | — | — | — | — |
| 20% | — | — | — | — |
Based on the 5-year fixed rate above. A bigger down payment shrinks — then removes — the CMHC premium (gone at 20%). Rows below the minimum down payment for this price show “—”.
Estimate only — not a mortgage approval. Your lender or mortgage broker confirms qualifying amounts and rates.
Estimate only. Final figures depend on your lender's payoff statement, adjustments at the notary, and your listing agreement.
Good to know
Programs, costs & the fine print
Tap a topic to learn more. Verified for 2026 — confirm details before relying on them.
First-time buyer programs
Federal and Québec programs that can lower the cost of buying a first home. Amounts shown are maximums — eligibility rules apply.
FHSA
Save up to $8,000 per year, $40,000 lifetime. Contributions lower your taxable income, and withdrawals for a first home are tax-free and never repaid. A couple can combine $80,000.
Home Buyers' Plan (HBP)
Borrow up to $60,000 from your RRSP ($120,000 per couple) toward a first home, tax-free. Repay over 15 years, starting the second year after withdrawal. Stacks with the FHSA for the same purchase.
First-Time Buyers' GST RebateNew 2026
On a newly built home, recover 100% of the 5% federal GST — up to $50,000. Full rebate to $1M, phasing out to zero at $1.5M. New construction only (not resale); agreement signed on or after March 20, 2025. Québec's QST has its own separate new-housing rebate.
Home Buyers' Amount
A federal tax credit worth up to $1,500. Québec offers its own first-time buyer credit as well.
Maximums shown; eligibility rules apply. This isn't tax or financial advice — confirm with your mortgage broker and accountant.
Renovation & energy rebates
Programs active for Montréal-area homes in 2026. Several can be combined.
CMHC Eco Improvement / Eco Plus
Recover 25% of your CMHC mortgage-insurance premium. Eco Improvement: an existing home where you spend at least $20,000 on energy-efficient renovations. Eco Plus: a new energy-efficient home. Needs a CMHC-insured mortgage (under 20% down), a registered NRCan Energy Advisor + EnerGuide report, and a claim within 24 months of closing. (This is the program in the email.)
Rénoclimat (Québec)
Up to $20,000 (single-family) / $40,000 (multi-unit) for insulation, air-sealing and ENERGY STAR windows & doors. A certified advisor must do an energy evaluation before AND after the work — book it before you start. No longer covers heat pumps.
LogisVert (Hydro-Québec)
Up to $6,700 for a heat pump, plus rebates for insulation, smart thermostats, solar panels and a $600 EV-charger credit (Écorecharge). Apply online; combines with Rénoclimat.
Éconologis
Free energy-efficiency services and minor work for lower-income households, October to March.
Chauffez vert closed March 31, 2026. The Canada Greener Homes Grant and the interest-free Greener Homes Loan are both closed to new applicants.
Some Montréal boroughs run their own programs — check montreal.ca. Confirm current amounts and rules on each program's official site; they change. Not financial advice.
The welcome tax, explained
Every buyer in Québec pays it. Here's what it is and when it lands.
What it is
A one-time land-transfer tax (droits de mutation) every buyer pays to the municipality after taking ownership — standard across Québec.
When you pay it
Not at the notary. Your city mails the bill a few months after closing — so set the money aside before you move in.
How it's calculated
A progressive rate on the higher of your purchase price or the municipal assessment. Québec's standard bands are 0.5% / 1.0% / 1.5%; Montréal and high-value boroughs add higher tiers above $500K.
Possible exemptions
Some transfers are exempt — for example between spouses or common-law partners, and certain transfers between close relatives. Your notary confirms what applies.
Set the exact brackets for your municipality under Rates & assumptions.
What to budget for closing
Beyond your down payment, plan for these one-time costs — a common rule of thumb is 1.5–4% of the purchase price.
Notary fees
In Québec the notary handles the deed and title search. Roughly $1,200–$2,000.
Home inspection
Before you buy, a professional inspection runs roughly $500–$900 — money well spent.
Adjustments
You reimburse the seller for property and school taxes (and condo fees) they've prepaid past your closing date.
QST on CMHC premium
If you put less than 20% down, the QST on your CMHC premium is due in cash at closing (the premium itself is added to the mortgage).
And a few more
Title insurance (optional), movers, immediate repairs, and your first home-insurance payment.
The buyer calculator totals these for you — open “Cost of a home” and fill in the closing-cost fields.
Rates & assumptions
Every figure below feeds the calculations. Defaults reflect 2026 figures — adjust them to your situation or to keep the tool current.
Many municipalities (Westmount, Laval, Longueuil…) keep the Québec standard brackets but add their own rate above $500,000. The tax is calculated on the higher of purchase price or municipal assessment.
Let's talk
Ready to talk through your numbers?
Pascal W. Couillard · Real estate broker · Westmount
Need financing? I can refer you to an independent mortgage broker to shop rates for you — or a mortgage specialist at any major bank.