Harmeet Singh, REALTOR®Areas › Toronto
Toronto Realtor for First-Time Buyers and New Condos
Buying in Toronto means two land transfer taxes, mostly condo product, and a contract that looks nothing like a resale offer. Harmeet Singh, REALTOR®, helps first-time buyers and pre-construction buyers work through it. The project explorer tracks 59 pre-construction communities in Toronto, and many Toronto buyers also compare options in Peel and York.
Harmeet SinghFive-star client reviews
Toronto at a Glance
Commute
- Fastest train from Downsview Park GO
- 19 GO stations, every GO line ends at Union Station downtown, plus the TTC subway
Drive times from downtown Toronto, no traffic. Rush hour takes longer.
New home prices from
Lowest published starting price per home type on our Toronto list today. See every project.
Property tax
0.77%2026 residential rate
About $7,673 a year on a $1,000,000 assessed home
Lowest of our cities 0.72%Highest 1.58%
Assessed value is set by MPAC and is often below the price you pay.
Tax when you buy
$32,950on a $1,000,000 home: Ontario plus Toronto land transfer tax
First-time buyers get up to $8,475 back
Paid on closing day. Work out your closing costs.
New homes built
26,087new homes started in 2025, all types (City of Toronto)
Busiest of our cities outside Toronto2,577
Housing starts counted by CMHC. A start is a home that began construction, not one for sale.
Housing growth target
285,000new homes Ontario asks for by 2031
More homes planned usually means more new releases to choose from.
Where new homes are
- Yonge-EglintonHigh-rise condos around Yonge St and Eglinton Ave
- Central WaterfrontNew lakefront condo districts
- Scarborough CentreHigh-rise homes around the Scarborough civic centre
- Golden MileMixed-use towers on Eglinton Ave E in Scarborough
- DownsviewFormer airport lands, new transit-oriented community
Transit coming
- Ontario Line subway, 15 new stationsUnder construction
- Scarborough Subway Extension, Line 2Under construction
Parks and outdoors
- High ParkLarge central park with trails and gardens
- Toronto Island ParkIsland beaches with skyline views
- Scarborough Bluffs15 km of lakeside cliffs, trails, beaches
Schools
School boards
- PublicToronto District School Board
- CatholicToronto Catholic District School Board
- French publicConseil scolaire Viamonde
- French CatholicConseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
College and university
- University of Toronto
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- York University
Highest rated by the Fraser Institute (2023/24, out of 10)
- 10.0CottinghamElementary
- 10.0NorthmountElementary
- 10.0St SebastianElementary
- 10.0St. Michael's Choir SchoolSecondary
- 9.7Ursula Franklin AcademySecondary
Sources: GO Transit, tax rates, school ratings, growth areas, CMHC, housing target, parks, drive times from OpenStreetMap routing, land transfer tax from Ontario's published rates.
Read more about buying in Toronto
Toronto Has Two Land Transfer Taxes
Toronto buyers pay the Ontario land transfer tax and a separate Municipal Land Transfer Tax. First-time buyers can get a refund of up to $4,000 on the provincial tax and up to $4,475 on the Toronto tax, if they meet the eligibility rules.
The land transfer tax calculator handles both, and the closing costs calculator adds legal fees, adjustments and other amounts due at closing.
Buying a New Condo in Toronto
Most new construction in Toronto is condominium, from towers near subway stations to mid-rise buildings along avenues and stacked townhomes on infill sites. In the west end, Etobicoke has a mix of waterfront towers and mid-rise projects near the Line 2 subway and the Lakeshore West GO line.
- You get a 10-day cooling-off period under the Condominium Act. Use it for the lawyer review.
- Expect interim occupancy before registration. Estimate it with the occupancy fee estimator.
- Read the development charge and levy cap clauses, which can add costs at closing.
Transit Changes That Shape Toronto Choices
Proximity to rapid transit is the single biggest factor in Toronto condo demand. Buyers look at stations on Lines 1 and 2, the Eglinton Crosstown (Line 5), and the Ontario Line under construction, as well as GO stations with frequent service.
If you are buying to rent, test the numbers with the property analyzer in Investor mode. If you are buying to live, compare with renting using the rent vs buy calculator.
A project marketed as near a future station should be judged on today's access too. Transit projects can open later than first announced, and your mortgage starts at closing either way. Ask how far the building is from the nearest station that is already running.
How Harmeet Helps Toronto Buyers
Harmeet reviews builder agreements at no charge and arranges a free lawyer review, helps with rebates and mortgage approval, and helps with assignment sales for buyers who need to sell before closing. His reviews mention first-time buyers and newcomers, clear explanations, and a condo that sold within two weeks of listing.
Many Toronto buyers also look at freehold new builds in the suburbs for the same budget. The explorer lists 75 communities in Peel and 98 in York; start with the Toronto project list.
A First-Time Buyer Checklist for Toronto
First-time buyers in Toronto do best when they sort out financing and closing costs before they look at units. A simple order of steps:
- Gather documents using the pre-approval documents list, then get pre-approved.
- Check your down payment with the down payment calculator and your qualifying rate with the stress test calculator.
- See which programs you may qualify for with the first-time buyer programs tool.
- Budget both land transfer taxes and legal fees before you set a price range.
- For a new condo, plan for occupancy fees, the final deposit and closing adjustments.
Newcomers buying their first home in Canada may face extra lender questions about credit history and income. Several of Harmeet's reviews come from newcomers, and they mention that he explained each step clearly.
Top Realtors in Toronto: How to Choose
There is no official ranking of realtors in Toronto, and Ontario advertising rules do not let an agent call themselves the best without proof. So the useful question is which agent fits your purchase. Five checks:
- Registration. Look the agent up on the public register of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO).
- Reviews you can read in full. Short star ratings say little. Read what past clients actually wrote, on the agent's own site and on verified review sites.
- Local proof. Ask them to total both land transfer taxes for your price, and to explain interim occupancy on a new Toronto condo.
- The agreement. Ask them to walk you through a real builder agreement: deposits, closing date extensions, caps on closing adjustments and assignment rights.
- How they are paid. Get it in writing before you sign a buyer representation agreement.
The 12 questions guide has the full list to take to a first meeting. To see what is selling, open new homes in Toronto.
Questions Buyers Ask
Who is a good realtor for first-time buyers in Toronto?
Look for someone who explains both land transfer taxes, the stress test and the full cost of closing. Harmeet Singh, REALTOR®, of Dream Villa Group works with buyers across the GTA and Golden Horseshoe, with a focus on pre-construction homes and first-time buyers. His five-star client reviews are reproduced word for word at /reviews.html, and they mention clear explanations of the process, no pressure, and help for first-time buyers and newcomers.
Who is the best realtor in Toronto?
No single realtor is the best for every buyer in Toronto, and Ontario advertising rules do not allow agents to claim it without proof. The right agent is registered with RECO, has detailed reviews you can read in full, and can explain your specific purchase. Harmeet Singh, REALTOR®, of Dream Villa Group works with buyers across the GTA and Golden Horseshoe, with a focus on pre-construction homes and first-time buyers. His five-star client reviews are published word for word at /reviews.html so you can judge for yourself.
Who are the top realtors in Toronto?
There is no official list of top realtors in Toronto. Review sites rank agents by client reviews, and RECO's public register confirms who is registered. Use both, then meet two or three agents and ask each one to explain a real builder agreement and how they are paid. Choose the one who explains risks clearly and does not push a same-day signature.
How do I choose a trustworthy realtor in Toronto?
Check their registration on RECO's public register, read reviews in full rather than star averages, and ask them to explain a sample agreement. A trustworthy agent will tell you when not to buy.
How much is the first-time buyer land transfer tax refund in Toronto?
Up to $4,000 from Ontario and up to $4,475 from the City of Toronto, for eligible first-time buyers. Your lawyer claims it on closing.
Can I back out of a new Toronto condo?
Yes, within the 10-day cooling-off period under Ontario's Condominium Act, which starts once you have the signed agreement and the disclosure statement. After that, the agreement is binding.
Does a realtor cost extra on a Toronto pre-construction condo?
Usually not. Builders typically pay the buyer's agent's commission on new construction, so representation usually costs the buyer nothing; confirm this for your project before you sign.
Does the 2026 HST relief apply to Toronto condos?
It can. For eligible first-time buyers of a new home, the 2026 relief returns up to 13% on the first $1,000,000, tapering to nil at $1,500,000. Check your number with the HST rebate calculator.