Resources

CITY OF TORONTO

The City of Toronto website offers a variety of real estate-related services, including property tax information, building permits, vacant home tax details, and utility bills. It also provides resources for property maintenance, tenant rights, and incentives for low-carbon home improvements. The site supports both property owners and tenants by offering tools for permits, tax payment, and energy efficiency. For more detailed information, you can visit the website directly here.

TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (TDSB)

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) website offers maps that show school districts by ward in Toronto. These maps are available in PDF format and help users identify school boundaries and determine the school catchment areas for real estate purposes. The maps are divided by ward, making it easy to locate the appropriate schools in specific neighborhoods. To explore these maps, visit TDSB School Maps.

CANADA MORTGAGE HOUSING CORPORATION (CMHC)

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) website provides comprehensive resources for homebuyers, renters, and real estate professionals. It offers mortgage calculators, homebuying guides, mortgage loan insurance options, and programs like the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. The site also supports affordable housing through funding initiatives, market data, and research insights, with tools for managing mortgages and housing projects. CMHC plays a critical role in making housing more accessible across Canada. For more details, you can explore the site here.

TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISION

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) website focuses on public transportation services in Toronto. It provides tools like route maps, schedules, and service updates, which can be helpful when assessing the accessibility of neighbourhoods for homebuyers based on proximity to transit. Information on parking and accessibility may also be useful when considering locations near transit hubs. You can explore the details here.

ONTARIO LINE

The Ontario Line is a 15.6-kilometer subway project in Toronto, connecting Exhibition Place to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT at Don Mills Road. It will include 15 new stations and offer faster transit, reducing travel time to 30 minutes end-to-end. The line will integrate with over 40 transit connections, including TTC subway lines, GO Transit, and streetcars. Expected to reduce congestion and car trips, it aims to serve 388,000 daily riders. Construction is already underway.

For more details, visit Ontario Line.

GO TRANSIT

The GO Transit website provides information on regional public transit services for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). It offers tools to plan trips, view schedules, buy tickets, and check service updates. The site also provides details about fares, promotions, and parking options at GO stations, making it easier for commuters and travelers to navigate the region efficiently. You can explore more transit-related resources here.

TORONTO HYDRO

The Toronto Hydro website offers a variety of services for residential and business customers, including account management, bill payment options, and outage tracking. It provides tools to help save energy, such as tips on energy conservation, rebate programs, and resources for upgrading to electric heat pumps. The site also features information on power safety, emergency preparedness, and support for electric vehicle infrastructure. You can explore these services and more at Toronto Hydro.

Building Permit Application & Inspection Status

The Toronto.ca page on building permit applications allows users to track the status of their permit applications and inspections. It provides updates on active permits within the last 10 years and outlines stages such as zoning reviews, inspections, and permit issuance. The page includes a glossary for understanding various permit statuses and offers tools to follow up on required actions, such as final inspections to close permits.

For more details, visit the page here.

RECO INFORMATION GUIDE

The RECO Information Guide provides information about real estate practices, consumer protection, and the role of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO).

The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) website offers resources for both consumers and real estate professionals. For buyers and sellers, it provides guidance on working with real estate agents, protecting deposits, and filing complaints.  RECO oversees compliance with real estate laws in Ontario to ensure a safe marketplace. More details are available here.

MORTGAGE CALCULATOR

Land Transfer Tax (LTT) calculator

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) residential Land Transfer Tax (LTT) calculator helps users estimate the total municipal and provincial land transfer taxes for properties in Ontario and Toronto. It accounts for both first-time homebuyer rebates and displays the taxes separately for Toronto and Ontario. First-time buyers may qualify for rebates of up to $4,000 (provincial) and $4,475 (municipal). For more information, it provides links to the Ministry of Finance and the City of Toronto websites.

You can explore it here.

CLOSING COSTS

When closing a real estate transaction in Toronto, several costs come into play. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:

1. Land Transfer Tax (LTT): Toronto buyers pay both a provincial and municipal LTT, calculated based on the property’s purchase price. First-time buyers may qualify for rebates.

2. Legal Fees: A real estate lawyer handles paperwork, title searches, and ensures everything is legally binding. Expect around $1,500 to $3,000.

3. Title Insurance: Protects your ownership from potential legal issues with the property’s title. Costs range from $200 to $400.

4. Mortgage Fees: Appraisal, lender fees, and mortgage insurance (if applicable) add to the cost. Budget around $300 to $500 for appraisals alone.

5. Adjustments: Reimburse the seller for pre-paid utilities, property taxes, or condo fees, calculated based on the closing date.

These essential costs ensure a seamless transition into your new home, offering peace of mind during one of life’s biggest investments!