Homeowner AF: The Canadian First Time Homebuying Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Today on the podcast, I am breaking down closing costs for first time home buyers in Ontario and why they are one of the most overlooked parts of the home buying process. I walk you through what you actually need saved beyond your down payment, and how to prepare for these costs so you can step into homeownership with confidence.

In this episode, I cover:

• What closing costs are and why they can range from 1.5% up to 4–6% of your purchase price in Ontario
• Legal fees explained, what your real estate lawyer does and how much you should budget
• Land transfer tax in Ontario, including first time home buyer rebates and how Toronto differs
• CMHC insurance tax and how insured mortgages impact your upfront closing costs
• Additional expenses like title insurance, home inspections, appraisals and rural property considerations
• How to prepare your funds, avoid surprises, and ensure your closing day goes smoothly

If you are a first time home buyer in Ontario trying to understand your true costs beyond the down payment, this episode will help you plan ahead and avoid costly surprises. Tune into Homeowner AF and take the next step toward homeownership fully prepared and financially confident.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
• Provincial Land Transfer Tax https://www.ontario.ca/document/land-transfer-tax , 
• Municipal Land Transfer Tax (Toronto https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/property-taxes-utilities/municipal-land-transfer-tax-mltt/municipal-land-transfer-tax-mltt-rates-and-fees/ 

Specific Questions?  Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

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Today on the podcast, I am walking you through the true starting point of your homeownership journey as a first time home buyer in Ontario, and why getting a mortgage pre-approval before house hunting is one of the most important steps you can take. I break down exactly what a pre-approval includes, how it impacts your affordability, and how it sets you up to confidently enter the Canadian real estate market.

In this episode, I cover:

• What a mortgage pre-approval is and how it determines your maximum purchase price and monthly payment
• The three key factors lenders assess: income, credit, and down payment for first time home buyers
• How a rate hold works and how it protects you from rising interest rates in Ontario
• The difference between a pre-approval and a pre-qualification and why that matters for your home buying strategy
• What documents you need, including T4s, NOAs, credit reports, and down payment verification
• How working with a mortgage agent versus a bank can impact your mortgage options and approval

If you are a first time home buyer in Ontario looking to understand your numbers, strengthen your application, and move toward homeownership with confidence, I hope this episode will give you the clarity and strategy you need. 

Send your podcast questions to hello@briannagoslinmortgages.com and my socials below, or send me a voice note to be featured on the podcast! 

Specific Questions?  Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

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Fixed or variable rate mortgage in 2024? Which one is right for you? In today's episode, Brianna explains:

• how the fixed interest rate is determined
• how the variable interest rate is determined
• pros and cons of each mortgage product

PLUS

• Which mortgage product first time homebuyers are choosing most often in March 2024.

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Specific Questions?  Ready to get started?
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Did you know that what you qualify for, may not be what you can actually afford? Listen in to learn more.

Book a Call with Brianna:

Schedule your consultation here: https://calendar.app.google/X1Tv2yHfUtSCuRvp8

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Specific Questions?  Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

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2023 was a rough year for first-time home buyers, yet most of my clients were first-time buyers! Curious about how they did it?

My buyers leveraged:

• Gifted Downpayment
• The Canadian Homebuyer's Plan and The First Home Savings Account
• Cosigners and Guarantors

Join Brianna's Email List for Exclusive Updates:
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Specific Questions?  Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

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Website: http://www.briannagoslinmortgages.com
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You've gone house hunting, 

you've found " The One", 

you've submitted your offer

and finally,

OFFER ACCEPTED! But what's next? Listen in to learn:

• What happens before fulfilling the condition of financing
• What a lender is looking at during the condition of financing
• Why you may still need to submit documents to your mortgage professional at this time
• How much you should save for closing costs

Join Brianna's Email List for Exclusive Updates:
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Specific Questions?  Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

Join my mailing list: https://briannagoslinmortgages.myflodesk.com/mortgagebites

Website: http://www.briannagoslinmortgages.com
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianna.goslin.mortgages
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannagoslinmortgages

In this timely episode, Brianna talks about the role of proper pre-approval in the first homebuying process as it pertains to the Spring 2023 market. Listen in to learn:

• What's going on in the Real Estate Market right now
• The offer process
• How to prepare for a multiple-offer situation
• How Brianna works with First Time Homebuyers, (AND gives them a competitive edge in multiple offer situations)

Join Brianna's Email List for Exclusive Updates:
Sign up here: https://briannagoslinmortgages.myflodesk.com/emailsignup

Specific Questions?  Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

Join my mailing list: https://briannagoslinmortgages.myflodesk.com/mortgagebites

Website: http://www.briannagoslinmortgages.com
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannagoslinmortgages

Emily Cerilli aka @sudburyrealtor.emily, visits the pod to chat:

• The Sudbury, Ontario market and the opportunities that exist in the Northern community
• HOUSE HACKING: What it is, and why you should explore this opportunity to add income to your mortgage application and get into the market quicker. 
• Cochrane’s $10.00 building lot offering
•  First-time homebuyer mindset

Connect with Emily on Instagram @sudburyrealtor.emily

Join Brianna's Email List for Exclusive Updates:
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Specific Questions?  Ready to get started?
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Lesli Gaynor and Parimal Gosai, realtors and creators of the Husmates app, drop in to chat:

• the benefits of co-ownership and the diverse opportunities that open up with this model of homebuying
• how it works and where to start
• What’s next for Husmates and what we need now in Canada to promote more affordable housing

Check out Husmates: https://www.husmates.com/ 
Connect with Parimal @parimalgosai on Instagram
Connect with Lesli @gaynorlesli on Instagram

Specific Questions?  Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

Join my mailing list: https://briannagoslinmortgages.myflodesk.com/mortgagebites

Website: http://www.briannagoslinmortgages.com
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Suzy Fernandes-Arruda, BDM at Home Equity Bank (Home of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage), chats with Brianna about reverse mortgages, myths and false impressions, and how to accelerate your home ownership journey with a little help.

Learn more about CHIP Reverse Mortgage here: https://www.chip.ca/

Check out the Reverse Mortgage Calculator here:
https://www.chip.ca/reverse-mortgage-calculators/

Specific Questions?  Ready to get started?
Book a free call with Brianna: www.Bricallme.com

Join my mailing list: https://briannagoslinmortgages.myflodesk.com/mortgagebites

Website: http://www.briannagoslinmortgages.com
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