When you buy a home, you have to pay for upfront costs in addition to your mortgage. Upfront or closing costs are one-time fees that you have to pay when you buy a home. You usually pay these costs by the time the sale is completed. Examples include home inspection fees, legal fees, property tax adjustments and title insurance. Be prepared to spend between 1.5% and 4% of the home’s purchase price on these costs., Use this CMHC step-by-step guide to learn more about buying a home in Canada. To buy your home, you’ll need a down payment. To accumulate the amount you need, make saving part of your budget. Most employers deposit your pay directly into your bank account. Set up automatic transfers to a savings account for each pay period., To qualify as a first-time homebuyer in Canada, you must meet the following criteria: you cannot have previously owned a property in Canada or abroad. However, there are exceptions. It is possible to qualify as a first-time homebuyer again after owning a home under the following circumstances:.