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 · Montréal, Laval & Laurentians
Your trusted guide to the Laval, Montréal, and Laurentians real estate market, data-driven and client-first.
Engineer (PhD)
Engineering
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RE/MAX
Global network
Georges Matar
Residential Real Estate Broker
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About Me
Passionate About Finding Your Perfect Property
With deep knowledge of the Montreal, Laval, and Laurentians 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 & Laurentians Specialist
Residential
First-Time Buyers
Investment Properties
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Data-Driven Analysis
RE/MAX DU CARTIER INC.
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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 & Laurentians
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.
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Handpicked properties in the most sought-after neighbourhoods of Montreal, Laval, and the Laurentians.
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Expertise & Insights
Real Estate Insights
Market updates, buying tips, and expert analysis for the Montreal, Laval & Laurentians 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.
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$
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$
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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).
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$
$
%
$
$
Estimated Maximum Purchase Price
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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
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%
%
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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(438) 372-0102
Office
2820, boul. St-Martin Est, Bureau 201, Laval (Duvernay), Québec H7E 5A1