Ontario Home Buyer Due-Diligence Checklist: Before Making an Offer

Use this checklist to organize—not replace—professional advice. Every Ontario property and agreement is different. A buyer may need guidance from a real estate representative, lawyer, lender or mortgage broker, home inspector, insurer, municipality and qualified specialists.

Last verified: September 15, 2026

1. Budget and financing

• ☐ Obtain a current mortgage pre-approval.
• ☐ Confirm the down payment source and paper trail.
• ☐ Budget for land transfer tax, legal fees, adjustments and moving costs.
• ☐ Understand whether mortgage default insurance may apply.
• ☐ Compare fixed and variable mortgage risks.
• ☐ Review available first-time-buyer programs.

2. Offer planning

• ☐ Review comparable sales and decide on a maximum price.
• ☐ Understand the deposit amount and delivery deadline.
• ☐ Consider an appropriate financing condition.
• ☐ Consider a home-inspection condition.
• ☐ Review closing date, included items, rental equipment and vacant-possession terms.
• ☐ If competing, use OHI’s multiple-offer buyer strategy.

3. Physical property

• ☐ Inspect the structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and drainage.
• ☐ Ask about permits and investigate renovations completed without permits.
• ☐ Investigate any basement apartment or additional unit.
• ☐ Obtain specialist review for concerns outside a general inspection.

4. Title, boundaries and legal matters

• ☐ Ask whether a current survey is available and review OHI’s survey guide.
• ☐ Investigate registered and visible easements.
• ☐ Discuss title searches and title insurance with the lawyer.
• ☐ Confirm access, encroachments, shared driveways and restrictive covenants where relevant.

5. Condominiums

• ☐ Review the status certificate with a lawyer.
• ☐ Understand condo fees and included utilities.
• ☐ Investigate reserve-fund concerns, litigation and special assessments.
• ☐ Check rules affecting pets, parking, renovations and leasing.

6. Rural properties

• ☐ Test and inspect the well and water system.
• ☐ Review the septic system.
• ☐ Confirm road access, maintenance, zoning, drainage, internet and heating.
• ☐ Use OHI’s rural-property guide.

7. Special transactions

• ☐ For an estate, review authority, probate and timing.
• ☐ For tenanted property, investigate the tenancy and vacant-possession risks.
• ☐ For new construction, review builder documents, adjustments, warranties and cooling-off rules.

8. After acceptance

• ☐ Calendar every condition, deposit and closing deadline.
• ☐ Send the agreement to the lender and lawyer immediately.
• ☐ Arrange insurance before waiving related conditions.
• ☐ Complete the final visit and closing-funds arrangements.
• ☐ Review what happens on closing day.

General information only: This checklist is not legal, mortgage, tax, engineering, inspection or financial advice.