Buyer's Guide
A Complete Guide for Newcomers Buying Property in Quebec
I came from Lebanon to do my doctorate in Montreal. The Quebec real estate system was completely foreign to me: the …
RE/MAX DU CARTIER INC.Georges
Matar
Residential Real Estate Broker · Laval & Montréal
Your trusted guide to the Greater Montreal real estate market, data-driven and client-first.
Ingénieur (PhD)
Engineering
3
Languages
RE/MAX
Global network
Georges Matar
Residential Real Estate Broker
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You're BuyingBuyer's Guide
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From search to keys in hand, expert guidance at every step of the buying process.
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Buyer resourcesSelling
Data-based pricing, professional marketing, and rigorous negotiation to maximize your sale price and minimize time on market.
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Yield analysis, plex evaluation and investment strategies tailored to the Laval and Montreal market, engineered, not guessed.
Investment strategies
About Me
Passionate About Finding Your Perfect Property
With deep knowledge of the Montreal and Laval real estate markets, I provide personalized guidance to help buyers, sellers, and investors achieve their real estate goals. My commitment to excellence and client satisfaction drives everything I do.
Montréal & Laval Specialist
Residential
First-Time Buyers
Investment Properties
Trilingual (FR/EN/AR)
Data-Driven Analysis
RE/MAX DU CARTIER INC.
Our Office, Your Space
A professional, welcoming environment in the heart of Laval, designed to support you through every step of your real estate journey.
2820, boul. St-Martin Est, Bureau 201, Laval (Duvernay), Québec H7E 5A1
16 Offices
I Can Welcome You Anywhere
As a RE/MAX DU CARTIER broker, I can welcome you in any of our 16 offices across Montreal, Laval, the North Shore, the South Shore, and the Laurentians.
Montréal
Laval
North Shore
South Shore
Laurentians
RE/MAX du Cartier
Montréal & Laval
Plateau Mont-Royal
835, boul. Saint-Joseph Est, Montréal
Outremont
1290, rue Bernard Ouest, Bureau 100
Ville Mont-Royal
1257, boul. Laird, Mont-Royal
Villeray
7085, boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
3193, rue Ontario Est, Montréal
Laval (Duvernay)
2820, boul. St-Martin Est, Bureau 201
RE/MAX du Cartier Bonjour
Laurentians
Saint-Sauveur
Saint-Jérôme
Mirabel
Lachute
Sainte-Adèle
Ste-Agathe-des-Monts
Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard
Mont-Tremblant
Val-David
Saint-Donat
Tell me which office suits you best, or simply stay home: I will gladly come to you.
Current Listings
Featured Properties
Handpicked properties in the most sought-after neighbourhoods of Greater Montreal and Laval.
Properties coming soon. Contact me for available listings.
Expertise & Insights
Real Estate Insights
Market updates, buying tips, and expert analysis for the Montreal & Laval market.
Financing
Everything First-Time Buyers Need to Know About Mortgages in Quebec
The mortgage process intimidates most first-time buyers. It shouldn’t. Once you understand what each piece …
Buyer's Guide
5 Property Red Flags That Mean Walk Away (No Matter How Much You Love It)
I believe in data and analysis over gut feeling in most areas of real estate. But I also believe there are specific …
Real Estate Tools
5 Professional Calculators
Mortgage payments, welcome tax, closing costs, affordability, and rent vs. buy — all in one place.
$
$
%
$
%
Your mortgage loan amount will be:
—
Your payments will be:
—
per month
Calculation Summary
| Category | Term | Amortization Period |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Payments | — | — |
| Mortgage Payment | — | — |
| Total Interest Paid | — | — |
* Estimate for informational purposes only. CMHC/Sagen/Canada Guaranty insurance premiums apply to down payments under 20% on properties under $1,500,000. Consult a mortgage advisor for a complete analysis.
Estimate the welcome tax (droits de mutation) payable when purchasing property in Quebec — official 2025 rates by municipality.
$
View 2025 welcome tax rates
Other Quebec municipalities
| Up to $61,500 | 0,5 % |
| $61,501 to $307,800 | 1,0 % |
| Over $307,800 | 1,5 % |
* A municipality may set a higher rate (max 3%) on the portion exceeding $500,000. Check with your municipality.
Ville de Montréal
| Up to $61,500 | 0,5 % |
| $61,501 to $307,800 | 1,0 % |
| $307,801 to $552,300 | 1,5 % |
| $552,301 to $1,104,700 | 2,0 % |
| $1,104,701 to $2,136,500 | 2,5 % |
| $2,136,501 to $3,113,000 | 3,5 % |
| Over $3,113,000 | 4,0 % |
Ville de Québec
| Up to $61,500 | 0,5 % |
| $61,501 to $307,800 | 1,0 % |
| $307,801 to $500,000 | 1,5 % |
| $500,001 to $1,000,000 | 2,0 % |
| $1,000,001 to $2,000,000 | 2,5 % |
| Over $2,000,000 | 3,0 % |
Ville de Gatineau
| Up to $61,500 | 0,5 % |
| $61,501 to $307,800 | 1,0 % |
| $307,801 to $750,000 | 1,5 % |
| $750,001 to $1,000,000 | 2,5 % |
| Over $1,000,000 | 3,0 % |
Estimated Welcome Tax
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Bracket Breakdown
| Bracket | Rate | Tax |
|---|
Estimate all costs to budget for when buying property in Quebec — welcome tax, notary, inspection and more.
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$
Estimated Closing Costs Range
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Cost Breakdown
| Item | Low | High |
|---|
* Estimates for informational purposes. Actual costs vary by situation. For new construction, GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) apply on the purchase price (partial rebates may apply). Consult a notary for exact amounts.
Discover the maximum home price you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment — applying the Canadian mortgage stress test (GDS/TDS).
$
$
$
%
$
$
Estimated Maximum Purchase Price
—
Estimated monthly payment:
—
Qualification Metrics
| Metric | Your Result | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Stress test rate | — | max(rate + 2%, 5.25%) |
| GDS ratio (housing costs) | — | ≤ 39% |
| TDS ratio (total debt) | — | ≤ 44% |
| Monthly PITH (principal + interest + taxes + heating) | — | Includes $150/month heating |
| Gross monthly income | — |
* Calculation based on 2024 CMHC rules. Stress test rate = max(contract rate + 2%, 5.25%). GDS ≤ 39% and TDS ≤ 44% of gross income. Heating estimated at $150/month. Consult a mortgage broker for an official pre-approval.
Compare net wealth accumulated from buying vs. renting over a given horizon, accounting for property appreciation, investment returns, and rent growth.
Buy scenario
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$
%
%
$
Rent scenario
$
%
%
Net Worth (Buy)
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—
Wealth (Rent)
—
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| Year | Property Value | Equity (Buy) | Wealth (Rent) | Winner |
|---|
* Simplified simulation. Buy equity = property value - mortgage balance. Rent wealth = down payment invested + monthly savings re-invested at the stated return rate. Maintenance estimated at 1% of initial value per year. Not included: transaction fees, capital gains tax, insurance, etc. For informational purposes only.
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Phone
(438) 372-0102
Office
2820, boul. St-Martin Est, Bureau 201, Laval (Duvernay), Québec H7E 5A1