Ottawa Property Guide · ottawapropertyguide.ca
First Time Home Buyer — your checklist
Tick each step as you complete it. Statuses below are the ones saved in your browser when this sheet was printed.
Date printed: 22 September 2026, 10:19 pm
Before you look Money, eligibility, financing, people
| Done | Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Work out what you can actually carry What you'll need: Pay stubs, every debt including student loans and car payments, your total savings, and one honest month of spending | Not Done | |
| 02 | Find out which kind of First Time Home Buyer you are What you'll need: Your ownership history, your partner's, and the dates — including any property owned outside Canada | Not Done | |
| 03 | Build the down payment with the accounts built for it What you'll need: An FHSA or RRSP opened early enough to be useful, and a gift letter your lender will accept if family is helping | Not Done | |
| 04 | Get pre-approved, and understand insured lending What you'll need: A completed application, proof of income and down payment, and a clear picture of your debts | Not Done | |
| 05 | Line up the people you are legally going to need What you'll need: A shortlist to interview, and quoted fees in writing rather than described on the phone | Not Done |
Choosing and committing Finding it, checking it, signing
| Done | Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06 | Choose your areas, then start viewing What you'll need: A weekday commute test in bad weather, a shortlist of areas, and a written question list | Not Done | |
| 07 | Do the checks you cannot skip What you'll need: An inspector or condo-document reviewer you can call quickly, and a lawyer ready to read the certificate | Not Done | |
| 08 | Make an offer — and use the advantage you have What you'll need: Your pre-approval, a deposit ready to move quickly, your lease end date, and a firm line on which conditions you will not waive | Not Done |
Keys and after Closing, the money back, year one
| Done | Step | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09 | From accepted offer to keys What you'll need: Funds for closing costs set aside separately from the down payment, and utilities and insurance arranged from day one | Not Done | |
| 10 | Claim what you are owed, and get through year one What you'll need: A calendar reminder for the 18-month refund deadline, and the purchase details kept for tax time | Not Done |
Summary
| Total checklist items | 10 |
|---|---|
| Completed | 0 |
| Not completed | 10 |
| Completion | 0% |
| Overall status | Not Started |