The Durham Region home buyer’s guide

1. Get clear on your budget

Before you fall in love with a home, understand what you can comfortably afford. Beyond the purchase price, budget for your down payment (a minimum of 5% in Canada, scaling up for higher-priced homes), closing costs (typically 1.5–4% including land transfer tax and legal fees), and ongoing costs like property taxes, insurance and utilities.

A mortgage pre-approval gives you a firm price range and shows sellers you’re serious. RJ can connect you with trusted local mortgage brokers to get pre-approved at a real, current rate.

2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage

Pre-approval locks in a rate for a set period and clarifies your budget. It also makes your offers far stronger in a competitive market. Bring proof of income, your down-payment source, and a sense of your monthly comfort level — your broker handles the rest.

3. Define your must-haves

List what truly matters: location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, parking, outdoor space, and commute. Separate your non-negotiables from your nice-to-haves. In Durham Region, deciding between, say, a larger home in Clarington versus a shorter commute from Pickering is a common and important trade-off.

4. Search smart with a local REALTOR®

Browsing online is a start, but a local agent gives you early access to listings, honest insight on neighbourhoods and pricing, and a filter against homes that look good online but won’t work in person. RJ knows which Durham pockets are appreciating and what well-priced homes actually sell for.

5. Tour homes and compare

When you visit, look past the staging. Check the roof, windows, basement, and signs of water or foundation issues. Consider the street, the neighbours, and the direction the home faces. Take notes and photos — homes blur together fast.

6. Make a confident offer

When you find the one, RJ helps you craft a competitive offer with the right price, deposit, conditions (financing, home inspection, status certificate for condos) and closing date. In multiple-offer situations, strategy matters — and that’s where local experience pays off.

7. Conditions, inspection & closing

Once your offer is accepted, you’ll fulfill conditions like the home inspection and financing approval. Your lawyer handles title and closing paperwork. On closing day, funds transfer and you get the keys. RJ stays with you through every step so nothing falls through the cracks.