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
Engineer (PhD)
Engineering
3
Languages
RE/MAX
Global network
Georges Matar
Residential Real Estate Broker
Two Paths, One Point of Contact
Where Are You in Your Journey?
You're BuyingBuyer's Guide
Buy With Your Eyes Open
I look at the numbers before the photos. You'll always know what a property is really worth before you make an offer.
Market analysis and comparables
Free mortgage calculators
A negotiator in your corner, not both
You're SellingSeller's Guide
Sell at the Right Price, Not the First Price
A price set by the data, marketing done with care, and a negotiation that doesn't give up an inch it doesn't have to.
Free, no-pressure evaluation
Professional photos included
Listed on all MLS portals
Buying
The numbers first, the love-at-first-sight second. A strategy built around your budget, not the market average.
Buyer resourcesSelling
A price anchored in real comparables, marketing that actually catches the eye, and a negotiation that gives up nothing without reason.
Free evaluationInvesting
Yield calculated, plex evaluated down to the decimal, strategies engineered the way an engineer builds a bridge: nothing left to chance.
Investment strategies
About Me
I Approach Real Estate the Way an Engineer Approaches a Problem
Before real estate, I was an engineer: trained to break a complex problem into simple decisions. I bring that same rigor to buying, selling, and investing across Montreal, Laval, and the Laurentians, no jargon, no empty promises.
Montréal, Laval & Laurentians 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 & 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.
Exclusive RE/MAX Protections
Your Peace of Mind, Protected
As a RE/MAX DU CARTIER broker, I offer you two exclusive protection programs included in your transaction.
RE/MAX
Integri-T
Hidden Defect Protection
- Up to $50,000 in coverage
- Valid for 3 years after the deed of sale
- Roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, mold
- Avoid costly legal proceedings
RE/MAX
Tranquilli-T
Legal Assistance Included
- Offered free of charge to our clients
- Unlimited consultations with real estate lawyers
- Protection against delays, withdrawal, or death
- Support for small claims court matters
Expertise & Insights
Real Estate Insights
The Montreal, Laval, and Laurentians market, explained without the jargon.
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 …
Exclusive RE/MAX Cartier Tools
6 Professional Calculators
Mortgage payments, welcome tax, closing costs, affordability, rent vs. buy, and home value estimate - all in one place.
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Your mortgage loan amount will be:
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Your payments will be:
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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).
How does the calculation work?
GDS
Gross Debt Service ratio
Housing costs (mortgage + taxes + heating) ÷ gross income. Limit: 39%
TDS
Total Debt Service ratio
GDS + all your other monthly debts ÷ gross income. Limit: 44%
Stress test
The calculation uses whichever is higher: contract rate + 2% or 5.25%. This simulates a rate increase to ensure you can still afford payments.
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Estimated Maximum Purchase Price
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Estimated monthly payment:
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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.
Values pre-loaded based on the Montreal and Laval market (2025). Adjust to match your situation.
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.
Get a preliminary estimate of your property's market value based on its sector, type, area, and features - based on 2025 Quebec real estate market data.
Estimated Market Value
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Estimated median value:
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Factors Considered
| Factor | Detail | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Base value (sector + area) | - | - |
| Property type | - | - |
| Bedrooms / Bathrooms | - | - |
| Year / Condition | - | - |
| Parking / Basement | - | - |
| Median estimate | - | |
* Preliminary estimate based on 2024-2025 Quebec real estate market data. This estimate is not an official appraisal and does not replace a comparative market analysis (CMA). Actual values may vary based on the property's specific features, recent comparables, and market conditions. Contact Georges Matar for a precise, free evaluation. For plex properties, enter the total building area.
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Real Estate
Ready to buy, sell, or invest? I’m here to answer your questions and guide you through every step of the process.
Phone
(438) 372-0102
Office
2820, boul. St-Martin Est, Bureau 201, Laval (Duvernay), Québec H7E 5A1