Toronto Buyer’s Agent

Buy a Home in Toronto

Marco Pedri – Broker | Shoreline Realty Corp., Brokerage

*Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers already under contract with a registrant or real estate brokerage.

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Why Buyers Work With Me

A Toronto Buyer's Agent Who Helps You Buy With Confidence

Buying property in Toronto is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, and finding your dream home in a city this big takes a plan. Whether you want a condo near the subway or a detached house with a backyard, my job is to help you choose the right property, pay a fair price and avoid surprises. I work for you, the buyer, from the first conversation to closing day.

Honest Advice on Price

Before you make an offer, I pull recent MLS® sold data for similar homes so you know what the property is really worth. That way you don’t overpay, even when other buyers are bidding.

Access to Every MLS® Listing

You get new MLS® listings and houses for sale the moment they hit the MLS® System, plus homes that are coming soon or quietly for sale through agent networks.

Local Market Knowledge

From downtown condos to family houses in Etobicoke, I know the neighbourhoods, buildings and streets, and I’ll tell you what each one is like to live in. As a broker with Shoreline Realty, I help buyers across one of the busiest housing regions in Canada.

Strong Negotiation

I write clean, competitive offers, negotiate the price and conditions, and protect you with the right deposit, financing and inspection terms.

Market Snapshot

Toronto Real Estate Today: What Buyers Should Know

Toronto’s housing conditions have shifted toward a more balanced, buyer-friendly city to purchase in. With more active listings than a few years ago, buyers have more choice and more room to negotiate on price and conditions. The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) expects higher inventory to keep giving buyers more negotiating power, especially for condos. According to TRREB, the average selling price across the Greater Toronto Area was $1,024,108 in October 2026, down 2.7% from a year earlier, with 25,098 active listings on the MLS® System and homes spending an average of 31 days on the MLS® before selling.

Prices Depend on the Type of Home

Detached houses sit at the top of the price range, townhouses and semi-detached homes fall in the middle, and condos are the most affordable way to buy in the city. Median and average sale prices also vary widely from one neighbourhood to the next, so a city-wide average only tells part of the story. In most months the median sale price sits below the average, because a smaller number of high-priced detached houses pull the average up.

Use Sold Data, Not Asking Prices

Asking prices are only a starting point. Buyers should review recent comparable sales to avoid overbidding. I compare sale prices, days on market and price history so your offer is based on real values.

More Choice for Condo Buyers

Higher supply has softened condo prices, which means first-time buyers and investors can often negotiate better terms, ask for conditions and take a little more time to decide.

Step by Step

How Buying a Home in Toronto Works

Here’s what happens from our first call to the day you get the keys to your new home.

01

Buyer Call

We talk about your budget, must-haves and timeline. You can book your buyer call with the form at the top of this page.

02

Mortgage Pre-Approval

I connect you with a trusted mortgage broker so you know your price range and can make a firm offer when the right home appears.

03

Home Search

I create a custom MLS® search that matches what you want. You sign up once and get new houses for sale, condos and coming-soon homes as soon as they’re available.

04

Viewings

We tour houses for sale and condos together. I point out red flags, explain building and neighbourhood details, and help you compare each property.

05

Offer and Negotiation

I review the sold data, recommend a price and terms, and negotiate with the listing agent to get you the best deal possible.

06

Closing

I guide you through conditions, the home inspection, your lawyer’s work and the final walkthrough until you get the keys.

Know Your Numbers

Your Budget: Down Payment and Closing Costs in Toronto

Before you start your search, it helps to know your full budget: your down payment, your mortgage and the closing costs that come due on closing day.

Minimum Down Payment in Canada

The minimum down payment is 5% on the first $500,000 of the price and 10% on the portion from $500,000 to $1.5 million. For homes priced at $1.5 million or more, the minimum down payment is 20%.

Mortgage Default Insurance

Putting down less than 20% requires mandatory mortgage default insurance. The premium is added to your mortgage, so a bigger down payment can save you money over time.

Toronto's Double Land Transfer Tax

Toronto has a double land transfer tax that includes both municipal and provincial taxes. It is one of the biggest closing costs for buyers, so plan for it from the start.

First-Time Buyer Rebates

First-time homebuyers in Toronto may qualify for rebates of up to $8,475 on land transfer taxes: up to $4,000 from Ontario and up to $4,475 from the City of Toronto.

Legal Fees and Home Inspection

Budget for a real estate lawyer to close your purchase, title insurance and a home inspection on a house. These are usually a few thousand dollars combined.

Property Tax, Condo Fees and Moving

Remember ongoing costs too: property tax, utilities, home insurance and, for condos, monthly maintenance fees. Add moving costs to your plan as well.

Where to Live

Finding the Right Toronto Neighbourhood

Toronto is home to about 2.8 million people across more than 140 neighbourhoods, and each one feels different. Areas like Bedford Park-Nortown and the Bridle Path are among the city’s most expensive, while neighbourhoods such as Flemingdon Park are among the most affordable. The right area depends on your budget, your commute, schools and the type of home you want. Here’s a quick guide to help you explore the city and pick the area that fits the way you live. For condo buyers, see my guide to the best Toronto neighbourhoods for first-time condo buyers.

Downtown and Midtown Condos

Neighbourhoods like King West, Liberty Village and Yonge and Eglinton have plenty of condo listings close to work, transit, restaurants and entertainment. They suit first-time buyers, professionals and investors.

Character Homes in the Core

Areas such as Kensington Market, Leslieville and the Annex feature Victorian townhouses, semis and row houses with plenty of character, close to shops, parks and the subway. Semi-detached houses for sale in these areas can draw multiple offers, so preparation matters.

Houses for Sale in the Inner Suburbs

Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough offer more space for the price, including solid brick post-war bungalows, larger lots and good schools for families. You’ll find plenty of detached houses for sale in these parts of the city.

Commuting to Downtown and Nearby Cities

Toronto’s public transit includes subways, streetcars and buses run by the TTC, and the city offers 24-hour bus routes for commuters. GO Transit trains link Toronto to nearby cities like Mississauga, Markham and Richmond Hill. If you drive, Toronto has the largest highway network in Canada, including the 401, the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway. Statistics Canada reports that Toronto residents have the longest average commute of any major city in Canada, at about 35 minutes, so I’ll help you test the commute from any home you’re interested in before you buy.

Know What You’re Buying

Buying a Condo vs a House in Toronto

Condos and houses come with different costs, rules and risks. Here’s what I check for buyers in each case.

Buying a Condo

Your offer should be conditional on reviewing the status certificate, which shows the condo corporation’s finances, reserve fund and any special assessments. I also look at monthly fees, building rules, parking and locker details. Learn more in how to buy a condo in Toronto and mistakes to avoid when buying a condo.

Buying a House for Sale in Toronto

Houses for sale in Toronto range from century-old semis to new builds, and houses come with more to check: the roof, foundation, wiring, plumbing and the lot itself. A professional home inspection is key, so any issue is found before you commit, and I’ll help you decide whether to make it a condition of your offer. We also look at zoning, renovation potential and what similar houses on the street have sold for.

Your Home Search

Searching Toronto Real Estate Listings With an Agent

You can search houses for sale in Toronto on any real estate listings site, but online data is not always complete or up to date. Public sites pull from the MLS®, but they can lag behind, and sold prices are often hidden. Homes listed as available may already be sold or conditionally sold. As your agent, I get MLS® data in real time, including price history and past sales for any property for sale in Toronto, so you see the full picture before you visit. Every individual listing I send includes the full MLS® details. Toronto real estate listings change daily, and online listing details are deemed reliable but not guaranteed accurate, which is why I check every detail on the MLS® before you book a viewing. That makes it easy to explore homes with confidence and spot the right one quickly.

Book a Buyer Call
  • Custom listing alerts for the homes you want
  • Coming-soon and off-market opportunities
  • MLS® sale history and price history for any property
  • Private viewings on your schedule
  • Building and neighbourhood research
  • Offer strategy based on recent sales
  • Referrals to mortgage brokers, lawyers and inspectors
  • Support through conditions and closing

Choosing Your Agent

How to Choose a Buyer's Agent in Toronto

A good buyer’s agent saves you time, money and stress. Look for a licensed real estate agent who knows the neighbourhoods you’re interested in, explains things clearly and gives you honest advice, even when it means walking away from a home. In Ontario, you’ll sign a written buyer representation agreement that sets out what your agent will do for you. Before you sign, explore a few agents and ask how they would handle your search.

Not sure what to ask? Use my list of questions to ask a Toronto real estate agent.

  • A licensed agent or broker registered with RECO
  • Deep knowledge of the areas you want to live in
  • Clear advice backed by sold data
  • Experience negotiating in competitive markets
  • Fast replies and someone you trust

Client Reviews

What Clients Are Saying

Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 59 Google reviews

“Very helpful in walking me through the process as a first-time homebuyer. Full trust in the advice and guidance I was given!”
Cameron S.
First-time buyer
“We contacted him and within a week, we had seen 4 places and secured a rental. He is remarkably responsive, knowledgeable and does his research thoroughly.”
Josh P.
Tenant
“I recently worked with Marco to lease my Toronto condo (I'm based in Vancouver), and I couldn't be happier with the experience. Marco took care of absolutely everything, from coordinating repairs to handling all the details I couldn't manage remotely.”
Chris N.
Landlord
Read My Google Reviews

Buyer Resources

Guides for Toronto Home Buyers

Want to read up before we talk? I create these guides to answer the questions people ask me most about buying property in Ontario.

FAQ

Toronto Home Buyer FAQs

In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% on the first $500,000, 10% on the portion between $500,000 and $1.5 million, and 20% on homes priced at $1.5 million or more. If you put down less than 20%, you’ll need mortgage default insurance.

Yes. A pre-approval tells you how much you can borrow, holds an interest rate for a period of time and shows sellers you’re a serious buyer. It also lets you make an offer quickly when the right home comes up.

Plan for land transfer tax, legal fees, title insurance, a home inspection and adjustments for property tax or condo fees. In Toronto you pay both the Ontario and the Toronto land transfer tax.

Yes. Eligible first-time homebuyers can receive up to $4,000 back on the Ontario land transfer tax and up to $4,475 on the Toronto land transfer tax, for a total of up to $8,475.

Most buyers take a few weeks to a few months to find the right home. Once your offer is accepted, closing usually happens 30 to 90 days later, depending on what you and the seller agree to.

It depends on your budget, lifestyle and plans. Condos cost less to buy and maintain but come with monthly fees and building rules, while houses offer more space and land. The purpose of the purchase matters too: a home to live in for decades is different from an investment. My guide on how to buy a condo in Toronto covers what condo buyers should check.

Sometimes. Most homes for sale in Toronto are listed on the MLS®, but some sellers prefer to sell quietly before listing, and agents share coming-soon homes through their networks. I’ll let you know about any that match what you’re looking for.

It depends on how long you plan to stay, your savings and your monthly budget. Renting gives you flexibility, while buying builds equity over time. If you plan to stay five years or more and have your down payment ready, buying often makes sense. I’m happy to walk you through the numbers for your situation.

A buyer’s agent helps you search for homes, book viewings, research prices, write and negotiate offers, and manage conditions and paperwork until closing. Your agent represents your interests, not the seller’s.

Ready When You Are

Let's Find Your Next Toronto Home

Whether you’re buying your first condo or moving up to a house, let’s talk about your budget, your must-haves and your timing. No pressure, just a clear plan from a broker at Shoreline Realty who knows the Toronto real estate scene.

Shoreline Realty Corp., Brokerage
92 Lakeshore Road East #215, Mississauga, ON L5G 4S2

Call 647-920-1314
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