Home Resources & Tools

Most of the resources here become far more useful once you are holding the documents that describe your specific property. This is the set worth assembling before you work through any guide or calculator on the site.

Gather these inputs first

The civic address, legal description and roll number of the property
Year built, floor area, lot size and property type
The ages of the roof, heating equipment, water heater, windows and electrical panel
Your municipality and province, which determine most of the rules that apply
Whether the property is freehold, condominium, leasehold or co-op

Documents and bills to have open

Assessment notice and the most recent property tax bill
Home inspection report, plus any specialist reports (electrical, WETT, sewer scope)
Twelve months of utility bills for each service
Insurance policy wording and the current declarations page
Mortgage commitment or rate hold, in writing
For condos: status certificate or Form B, reserve fund study, budget and minutes
Permits and invoices for past work, and any transferable warranties

What this estimate can establish

A single place to see what you know about the property and what you do not
Which guides and calculators on this site are relevant to your situation
Which questions belong to which professional
A record you can hand to a lender, insurer, inspector or lawyer without repeating yourself

What it cannot establish

The condition of anything that has not been inspected
Any figure a lender, insurer or municipality has not given you in writing
Whether a rule that applies in one municipality applies in yours
Legal, tax, mortgage, insurance or real estate advice

Questions to ask the professionals on your file

Lender: what is in this rate hold, when does it expire, and what conditions remain?
Insurer: what does this quote assume about the roof, wiring, plumbing and heating?
Municipality: what is the current tax rate, and are there local levies or charges?
Inspector: what did you not inspect, and what would you have a specialist look at?
Lawyer: what closing adjustments and disbursements should I expect on this file?
Condo manager: what does the reserve fund study recommend, and what has been funded?

Official sources to verify against

CMHC — resources for consumers — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Buying a home — mortgages and costs — Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Interest rates — Bank of Canada
Home buyers' amounts and plans — Canada Revenue Agency
Energy efficiency for homes — Natural Resources Canada