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Immigrating to Quebec

Immigrating to Quebec?

Get a mortgage with a 5% or 10% down payment.

For a newcomer to Canada, what is the minimum down payment required to buy a property?

If you are a temporary or permanent resident, there are programs that allow you to buy with a minimum down payment of 5% to 10%. You can become a homeowner while working on obtaining your Permanent Resident status. It’s possible for you to buy a house, a condo, or a duplex.

Being a temporary resident generally does not impact your eligible interest rate, which depends on your credit history, type of loan (variable or fixed), and loan duration (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 years). In Canada and Quebec, the emphasis is on your down payment, income, and credit history, rather than your status.

Are you concerned about the moratorium in Canada, in effect from January 1, 2023, to January 1, 2025? There are alternatives that can allow you to move in today-buyback tomorrow. More about rent to own here.

We can help you make an immediate purchase if you are a Permanent Resident or on your way to becoming one, as the moratorium does not apply to Permanent Residents. Below, you will find more information on the steps to follow to make a purchase.

NEWCOMER TO QUEBEC

We understand your situation and are here to help you!

A word from Nectarios Petropoulos, mortgage broker…

As my name indicates (Nectarios Petropoulos), I am not of Quebec origin. My parents immigrated here to Quebec in the 1970s following the military junta in Greece. This allowed me to grow up in Quebec society, which has given me a lot, while also interacting with several immigrants for whom the system did not meet their specific needs.

I grew up in Parc-Extension, one of the poorest cities in the country, but also one of the richest in cultural diversity.

In 2013, I was one of the founding members of Breneka Real Estate Solutions, a company specializing in Rent to own for Quebec residents. Since then, we have helped over a hundred clients move in today and buy back tomorrow.

Following the obtaining of my mortgage broker license in 2016, I had the opportunity to assist several newcomers in their efforts to purchase their first home. I therefore have experience in both traditional mortgage financing and alternative solutions for newcomers. Two solutions under one roof to better assist you!

Contact us now to help you navigate the Quebec market and put our more than 10 years of experience at your service!

Are you ready to buy and do you meet the required criteria?

3 Simple Steps — 24 Hour Approval

Easy Application

Private mortgage financing

1. Apply Online

Use the form on this page or call 1-888-708-5576 to speak to one of our representatives.
approval_bg

2. Get approved

Approved within 24 hours. Your home equity is the key to your approval. Get approved now!
funding_bg

3. Get your funding

We make it easy. Loan funds can be deposited directly into your bank account, once approved.
Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions about Mortgage Loans in Quebec

What are the minimum requirements for obtaining a mortgage loan as a newcomer to Canada?

  • A down payment of 5% for purchases under $500,000
  • For purchases over $500,001, the down payment must be 10% for the amount exceeding $500,000
  • Full-time employment without a probationary period
  • Residing in the purchased property, which can be a duplex (you can rent out the other unit to generate income)
  • Purchase of a property under one million dollars

What costs should be considered when purchasing a property in Quebec?

The typical costs include:

  • Notary fees of approximately $2,000 CAD
  • Tax on mortgage insurance premium: 9% of the premium amount (if purchasing with less than 20% down payment)
  • Transfer tax (received after acquisition of the property)
  • TPS and TVQ for new constructions (similar to VAT in France or Belgium)
  • Other costs may include the cost of a location certificate, title insurance, inspection fees, and appraisal fees (not applicable to all purchases)
  • Contact us for more information

What documents and proofs are necessary to obtain a mortgage loan?

  • Proof of legal stay in Canada (PVT, work permit, permanent residency, etc.)
  • Confirmation of income (latest pay stub, employment letter)
  • Proof of down payment (source and duration of possession)
  • Canadian credit score

If you do not have a Canadian credit score, alternatives such as the following are possible:

  • Rental payments (obtain from your current landlord)
  • Paid bills from your suppliers, such as electricity, gas, cell phone, cable, etc.
  • Bank statements or a reference letter from a bank.
3 Simple Steps — 24 Hour Approval

Easy Application

Private mortgage financing

1. Apply Online

Use the form on this page or call 1-888-708-5576 to speak to one of our representatives
approval_bg

2. Get approved

Approved within 24 hours. Your home equity is the key to your approval. Get approved now!
funding_bg

3. Get your funding

We make it easy. Loan funds can be deposited directly into your bank account, once approved.
Apply Now

What is a credit score and a credit rating? What is the difference and do I need it?

The credit score and credit rating are the same thing. It is the score assigned to your credit report, ranging from 300 to 900. The higher the score, the better your credit rating, and consequently your credit report. The credit report is a history of your credit usage, including:

  • The length of your loans (how long the credit has been active)
  • The limits obtained and balances on your limits
  • Your payment habits since obtaining credit (do you pay on time and as agreed, or are you late?)
  • The quality of credit (credit obtained from a financial institution issuing a mortgage loan or from a store such as Walmart or Canadian Tire?)

Before issuing a mortgage offer for newcomers, banks base their decision on:

  1. Your down payment
  2. Your length of employment and income
  3. Your credit report and score

The best conditions (interest rate, amortization, product offered) for financing are generally obtained with credit scores of 681 or higher.

Why do I need to use credit if I pay my account on time and in full?

Although limiting our use of credit is a responsible habit to adopt, it doesn’t necessarily make it easier to obtain a mortgage. Banks ask themselves certain questions, such as:

If you have no credit, have you ever gone bankrupt and no one wants to lend to you?

How can we trust your ability to manage other people’s money if you have no credit history to show us?

If you pay everything in cash, are you involved in money laundering or tax evasion activities?

Even though these ideas are not always founded, it is important to consider them when applying for a mortgage as a newcomer. It is better to use credit responsibly than not to use it at all.

Can I make an offer to purchase upon arrival, or do I need to obtain a loan first?

Here in Quebec and elsewhere in North America, it is best to obtain a mortgage pre-approval before visiting properties. A mortgage broker can help you qualify and obtain your mortgage pre-approval. With this document, the bank commits to granting you a mortgage financing according to the amount indicated, with an interest rate that will be frozen for 90-120 days. It is conditional on your financial situation not changing during this time.

With the mortgage pre-approval for newcomers, real estate brokers will be more open to showing you houses because they know you are serious buyers. Nowadays, it is rare to visit houses without a mortgage pre-approval.

The difference between a mortgage pre-qualification and a mortgage pre-approval is that the pre-qualification is just an estimate of the possible amount based on your income. No credit check is done, this is just to have a possible idea of the potential amount. Then you need to obtain the pre-qualification for house visits.

Do I have to use the same lender as in my pre-qualification?

No. It is not mandatory to limit yourself to a single mortgage lender. The mortgage broker’s job is to constantly research the different products offered by different mortgage lenders. If the mortgage broker finds a product better suited to your situation during your house search, they will send your financing application to the other lender with the best product.

Do I need to get pre-qualified for each house I visit?

No, the goal is not to pre-qualify you for the minimum amount, but rather for the maximum amount so that you can focus on buying houses that are in this price range or below.

However, if you change your mind and wish to buy a more expensive property, such as a duplex or triplex for rent, you will need to re-qualify for a mortgage, even if you already have a mortgage pre-approval. The mortgage broker knows the internal criteria of the banks and can tell you if you are eligible for a higher amount, considering the income of the desired property.

In Quebec, is it more advantageous to rent or buy with a mortgage?

It depends on each individual’s situation. It is certainly preferable to aim for property acquisition. This is an excellent way to invest in real estate and start building your wealth in Canada. Additionally, you start building equity that can be transferred to your children.

Renting is always an option, but considering that rents have become almost equivalent to a mortgage payment, sometimes it’s worth the cost of buying right away!

3 Simple Steps — 24 Hour Approval

Easy Application

Private mortgage financing

1. Apply Online

Use the form on this page or call 1-888-708-5576 to speak to one of our representatives
approval_bg

2. Get approved

Approved within 24 hours. Your home equity is the key to your approval. Get approved now!
funding_bg

3. Get your funding

We make it easy. Loan funds can be deposited directly into your bank account, once approved.
Apply Now

Usefuls links:

The Moratorium in Canada:

The moratorium on the purchase of residential properties by non-Canadian residents has been in effect since January 1, 2023 and will last for two years. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, non-resident Canadians, and non-Canadians married to citizens or permanent residents are exempt.

There are also exemptions for temporary workers, study permits, and temporary permits. Housing with four units or more, as well as commercial-only properties, are exempt. Purchases of undeveloped land with residential or mixed zoning are not exempt.

Buyers who violate the moratorium risk a fine of $10,000 and a court order to sell their property. It is recommended to consult with professionals for legal advice before purchasing a property in Canada as a non-resident.

For the full text: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/p-25.2/page-1.html

Amendment to the moratorium

On March 27, 2023, Minister Ahmed Hussen announced amendments to the regulations of the Law prohibiting non-Canadians from purchasing residential real estate. The regulatory framework was designed to provide specific exceptions, definitions, and clarifications for the implementation of the ban.