Methodology & Sources
Every number on this site is an estimate produced from inputs you provide and clearly stated assumptions. We do not connect to live tax rolls, lender rate sheets, insurance quoting engines, or utility accounts.
How our calculators work
- Calculations are deterministic formulas that run entirely in your browser. Your inputs are not sent to a server or stored by us.
- Mortgage payments use a standard monthly-amortized formula. Canadian fixed-rate mortgages are commonly compounded semi-annually, so a lender quote can differ slightly from our figure.
- Minimum down payment tiers and mortgage default insurance premium bands follow the published federal and CMHC structure. Confirm current thresholds before relying on them.
- Land transfer tax uses simplified provincial rate bands. Municipal transfer taxes and first-time buyer rebates are not applied.
- Where a figure varies by address — property tax, insurance, utilities, condo fees — we ask you for it rather than guessing, and any pre-filled value is an editable example.
- Cost ranges in our guides are illustrative planning ranges, not quotes. Contractor and trade pricing varies widely by region, season, access, and scope.
Primary sources we rely on
“Last reviewed” is the date a person last checked the link and how we use it. It is not a guarantee that any external figure is current.
- Source
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) — mortgage loan insurance
- Jurisdiction
- Canada (federal)
- Applies to
- Minimum down payment tiers and mortgage default insurance premiums
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — buying a home
- Jurisdiction
- Canada (federal)
- Applies to
- Down payment rules, closing costs, and mortgage basics
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- Bank of Canada — interest rates
- Jurisdiction
- Canada (federal)
- Applies to
- Reference for the mortgage rate you enter; not a lender quote
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- Canada Revenue Agency — Home Buyers' Plan and home-related tax credits
- Jurisdiction
- Canada (federal)
- Applies to
- Tax-related programs that may change your out-of-pocket cost
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- Provincial and territorial land transfer / property transfer tax authorities
- Jurisdiction
- Provincial and territorial
- Applies to
- Land transfer tax bands, exemptions, and first-time buyer rebates
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- Your municipality's property tax and assessment office
- Jurisdiction
- Municipal
- Applies to
- Actual annual property tax for a specific address
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- Insurance Bureau of Canada — home insurance consumer information
- Jurisdiction
- Canada (industry association)
- Applies to
- What a home policy covers, endorsements, deductibles, and claims basics
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- Your provincial insurance regulator / consumer services office
- Jurisdiction
- Provincial and territorial
- Applies to
- Licensing of brokers and insurers, complaints, and consumer protections
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- Kitec plumbing class action settlement information site
- Jurisdiction
- Canada and United States
- Applies to
- Which Kitec-branded fittings and pipe were covered and the settlement history
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- National Research Council Canada — National Building Code of Canada
- Jurisdiction
- Canada (model code; adopted with changes by each province)
- Applies to
- Sound transmission requirements between dwelling units and construction standards
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- National Research Council Canada — building acoustics research
- Jurisdiction
- Canada
- Applies to
- Airborne and impact sound ratings (STC / ASTC / IIC) as planning concepts
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- Your provincial electrical safety authority / permitting body
- Jurisdiction
- Provincial (example shown: Ontario ESA)
- Applies to
- Permits, licensed electrician requirements, and inspection of panel work
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- National Research Council Canada — Codes Canada (model codes adopted provincially; permits issued by your municipality)
- Jurisdiction
- Canada (model code), applied provincially and municipally
- Applies to
- Which construction rules apply, and why permits, inspections, and closed-permit records are handled by your local authority
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
- Source
- Statistics Canada — housing and shelter cost data
- Jurisdiction
- Canada
- Applies to
- Context on typical shelter, utility, and maintenance spending
- Source link checked
- 2026-08-31
What our estimates do not include
- Municipal land transfer taxes (for example, the City of Toronto tax) and first-time buyer rebates
- Mortgage default insurance provincial sales tax, which is payable at closing in some provinces
- GST/HST on new-build purchases and any new housing rebate
- Special assessments, reserve fund shortfalls, or rental equipment buyouts
- Property value changes, selling costs, and commissions
- Income tax effects, rental income, and any investment return on your down payment
- Lender-specific fees, rate holds, penalties, and renewal at a different rate after your term ends
Corrections
If a formula, assumption, or source on this site looks wrong, tell us and we will review it. See About for contact details, and our disclaimer for the limits of this information.