Ontario Home Buyer Checklist: From Pre-Approval to Closing

Use this Ontario home buyer checklist to track the decisions, documents and deadlines that need attention before you buy. It is designed as a working companion to our complete Ontario home buying guide, which explains the process in more detail.

Whether your search is in Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton or Niagara, keep one shared list with your household and professional team. Beside each item, record who is responsible, the due date and any question still waiting for an answer.

1. Before you start viewing homes

• Set a comfortable monthly budget. Include the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance and condo fees where applicable. Leave room for your other commitments and savings.
• Separate the cash you need. List the down payment, closing costs, moving costs, immediate repairs and an emergency reserve separately.
• Gather financing documents. Ask your lender or mortgage broker which income, debt, identification and down-payment records they need for your application.
• Clarify pre-approval conditions. Record the expiry date, any rate-hold details and what remains subject to approval. The lender must still assess the specific property and your financial circumstances.
• Discuss representation. Review services, fees, the agreement's duration and your responsibilities with the brokerage before signing.

For background, use the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's mortgage guidance and RECO's explanation of representation agreements.

2. For each home on your shortlist

• Record the essentials. Note the address, property type, asking price, taxes, parking, inclusions and any equipment rental arrangements.
• Test the location against your routine. Check the actual commute, transit options and services you use. Verify school boundaries directly with the relevant school board.
• Compare appropriate sold properties. Ask how recent sales differ in size, condition, lot, location and property type. An asking price or regional average alone does not establish value.
• Identify condition questions. Record visible issues and questions for an inspector or other qualified professional. Separate cosmetic preferences from repairs that affect your budget.
• Check property-specific documents. For a condo, discuss the status certificate with your lawyer. For rural properties, investigate well, septic and access arrangements with appropriate professionals.

Use a simple comparison for each shortlisted home: must-haves met / estimated ownership costs / outstanding questions / next action. This makes it easier to compare a Georgetown home with another local option on the same basis.

3. Before submitting an offer

• Confirm available funds and timing. Ask when and how the deposit must be delivered. It is normally part of the purchase funds, but may be due well before closing.
• Agree on your limit. Decide the maximum price and terms you are comfortable with before negotiations begin.
• Review conditions. Discuss financing, inspection and any property-specific review with your agent, lender and lawyer as appropriate. Understand the consequences before waiving protection.
• Check every important term. Review the closing date, inclusions, exclusions, deposit, conditions and deadlines in the written offer.
• Plan for your current home. If you also need to sell, compare the two timelines and confirm how any funding gap or overlap would be handled.

4. After acceptance and before closing

• Create a deadline calendar. Record condition dates and assign responsibility for each task. Confirm completion rather than assuming someone else has handled it.
• Complete lender and lawyer requests. Provide required documents promptly and ask what remains outstanding.
• Protect your financing position. Speak with your lender before taking on debt, changing employment or making a large purchase.
• Confirm insurance and services. Arrange the coverage and utility transfers needed for possession.
• Prepare closing funds. Obtain your lawyer's final instructions and verify payment details directly through a trusted contact method.
• Arrange the move. Confirm movers, keys, possession timing and any permitted final visit through your agent.

Questions to take to your professional team

For your lender or mortgage broker

What is still conditional? What happens if the appraisal differs from the purchase price? How do the payment, prepayment terms and potential penalties compare across the mortgage options?

For your lawyer

What documents need review for this property? What closing costs and adjustments should I budget for? When will funds be required, and what must be completed before possession?

For your Realtor

Which comparable sales support the offer? What risks or unresolved questions remain? How will deadlines, negotiations and communication be handled?

Keep the checklist and full guide together

For explanations of down payments, closing costs, local research and offers, return to the Ontario home buying guide. For budgeting pitfalls, read financial mistakes home buyers make. If you are also selling, see our home selling preparation guide.

Contact the Ana Bastas Real Estate Team to discuss your neighbourhood shortlist, timeline and next steps.

Ana Bastas, ABR, SRS, SRES, RENE
Team Leader | Ana Bastas Real Estate Team
Serving Toronto, Halton, Hamilton & Niagara and surrounding areas since 2012
Experience the AB Advantage™