Thomas Lymburner
Buying your first home in Gatineau: the 2026 guide
Updated: · By Thomas Lymburner, residential real estate broker, RE/MAX Direct
Thomas Lymburner, residential real estate broker with RE/MAX Direct, sums up the programs and rules that apply in 2026 to a first home purchase in Gatineau: minimum down payment, mortgage loan insurance, the FHSA, the Home Buyers' Plan, 30-year amortization and the welcome tax credit. In his experience, most properties he sees selling in Aylmer, the Plateau and Hull go for between $400,000 and $600,000, so the examples below use those prices.
Who is considered a first-time buyer?
For the FHSA, the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) and Quebec's welcome tax credit, you are generally a first-time buyer if you did not live, as your principal residence, in a home owned by you or your spouse during the current year or the four previous calendar years. Each program has its own conditions: check them before applying.
Minimum down payment
In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% of the price up to $500,000; 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the portion between $500,000 and $1,500,000; and 20% from $1,500,000. With less than 20% down, mortgage loan insurance is generally required.
| Price | Minimum down payment | Loan | CMHC insurance premium (4.00%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $20,000 | $380,000 | $15,200 |
| $500,000 | $25,000 | $475,000 | $19,000 |
| $600,000 | $35,000 | $565,000 | $22,600 |
The 4.00% premium is the CMHC rate for a loan of 90.01% to 95% of the value; it is added to the loan. In Quebec, the premium is subject to provincial tax. Sources: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada; CMHC.
| Loan-to-value ratio | CMHC premium |
|---|---|
| up to 65% | 0.60% |
| 65.01% to 75% | 1.70% |
| 75.01% to 80% | 2.40% |
| 80.01% to 85% | 2.80% |
| 85.01% to 90% | 3.10% |
| 90.01% to 95% | 4.00% |
The Home Buyers' Plan (HBP)
The Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) lets you withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSPs to buy a first home. The amount is repaid over 15 years. For a first withdrawal made between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2028, repayment starts in the fifth year after the withdrawal: for example, in 2031 for a withdrawal made in 2026. According to the CRA, you can use the HBP and FHSA for the same home if you meet each program's conditions at the time of withdrawal.
Welcome tax: Quebec's $5,875 credit
Since 2026, Quebec reimburses first-time buyers for part of the welcome tax through a refundable tax credit: 100% of the first $5,000 of transfer duties, plus 25% of the excess, up to $5,875. It replaces the former non-refundable home buyers' tax credit. The credit decreases when the municipal assessment exceeds $750,000 and reaches zero at $1,000,000.
See the detailed calculation: Gatineau welcome tax
| Price | Gatineau welcome tax | Maximum credit | Net cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $4,110.50 | $4,110.50 | $0 |
| $500,000 | $5,610.50 | about $5,153 | about $458 |
| $600,000 | $8,610.50 | $5,875 | $2,735.50 |
Other credits and rebates
Federally, the home buyers' amount lets you claim up to $10,000 on your income tax return (non-refundable credit, line 31270). For a new home bought from a builder, the GST rebate for first-time home buyers can reach 100% of the GST, up to $50,000, if the price is $1,000,000 or less; it gradually decreases up to $1,500,000. It applies to purchase agreements entered into from March 20, 2025 and before 2031. Quebec does not offer an equivalent QST rebate.
The steps in a first home purchase in Quebec
- Get mortgage pre-approval from a bank or mortgage broker.
- Choose a real estate broker and define your criteria: area, property type and budget.
- Visit properties, then submit a promise to purchase, usually conditional on financing and inspection.
- Have the property inspected (strongly recommended; see our recommended home inspectors).
- Confirm financing and choose a notary (see our recommended notaries).
- Sign the deed of sale with the notary, who registers the deed and distributes the funds.
- Pay the welcome tax to the City of Gatineau, then claim the home ownership access tax credit.
Condo or house?
In Q2 2026, in the Gatineau CMA, the median price was $308,000 for a condominium (457 sales) and $523,500 for a single-family home (QPAREB). See prices by sector on our Neighbourhoods page.
Frequently asked questions
At least $25,000, or 5% of the price. At $600,000, it's $35,000: 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the next $100,000. With less than 20% down, mortgage loan insurance is required.
Yes. According to the Canada Revenue Agency, you can make an HBP withdrawal and a qualifying FHSA withdrawal for the same home, as long as you meet the conditions of each at the time of the withdrawal.
Up to $60,000. For a first withdrawal made from 2026 to 2028, the 15-year repayment starts in the fifth year after the withdrawal.
Yes. Since December 15, 2024, first-time buyers can get an insured mortgage amortized over 30 years.
Yes, but since 2026 they can get back up to $5,875 through Revenu Québec's refundable home ownership access tax credit. For a $400,000 property, the $4,110.50 tax is fully refunded.
Generally, someone who hasn't lived in a home owned by them or their spouse in the current year or the four previous years. Each program has its own conditions.
Sources
FCAC, down payments · CMHC, insurance cost · FCAC, preparing for a mortgage · Department of Finance Canada, December 15, 2024 reforms · CRA, FHSA · CRA, HBP · CRA, line 31270 · Revenu Québec, home ownership access credit · Revenu Québec, GST rebate · QPAREB, Q2 2026
This guide summarizes public rules and doesn't replace advice from a financial advisor, lender or notary.