Barrie, Ontario
Mortgage agents in Barrie
This is home. We live and work in Barrie: Holly has been helping families here since 2003 and Cole since 2012. Buying, renewing, refinancing or switching lenders, we explain the numbers first.
Working with us in Barrie
Barrie is a single-tier city on Kempenfelt Bay, inside the boundaries of Simcoe County but with its own municipal government. It has two GO stations on the Barrie line, Allandale Waterfront and Barrie South, which is why so many of the buyers we meet split their week between Barrie and the GTA.
We work with first-time buyers, families moving up, people renewing after a big rate change, and homeowners who want to use their equity. Our office is in Barrie, so meeting in person is easy, and everything can also be done by phone, video and e-signature if that suits you better.
What is different about financing a home in Barrie
No municipal land transfer tax
Barrie buyers pay the Ontario land transfer tax only. In Ontario, the extra municipal land transfer tax applies inside the City of Toronto and nowhere else, so a move north from Toronto removes one closing cost. The worked example below shows the provincial tax at a typical price.
Condos and townhomes
Lenders count half of the monthly condo fee in your debt ratios, so the fee changes how much you qualify for. The lender also reviews the status certificate. We add the fee to the numbers from the first conversation so the pre-approval matches the building you actually want.
Older homes near the water and downtown
Character homes can bring appraisal and home-insurance conditions (wiring, heating, oil tanks) that a newer subdivision home does not. None of them are deal breakers, but they take time. We ask about the house early so the conditions are handled before your financing deadline, not after it.
Land transfer tax on a Barrie purchase
Ontario charges land transfer tax on every purchase, and Barrie adds no municipal tax on top. Qualifying first-time buyers get a refund of up to $4,000, which means no tax at all on a home up to $368,000. Here is the math at one example price.
Example only, not a quote. Rates and the refund rules are from ontario.ca, checked October 2026. The refund has conditions (age, residency, never having owned a home anywhere, and moving in within nine months); we confirm whether you qualify. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
| Example purchase price | $650,000 |
|---|---|
| Ontario land transfer tax | $9,475 |
| First-time buyer refund | −$4,000 |
| Net tax, first-time buyer | $5,475 |
| Net tax, repeat buyer | $9,475 |
Questions Barrie buyers and owners ask
How much down payment do I need?
In Canada the minimum depends on the purchase price. For homes up to $500,000 it is 5%. For the portion between $500,000 and $1,499,999 it is 10%. For homes at $1,500,000 and above it is 20%. With less than 20% down, the mortgage carries default insurance. We walk you through the options that apply to your situation.
What are closing costs and how much should I budget for them?
Closing costs include land transfer tax, legal fees, title insurance, a home inspection and adjustments for property taxes or utilities. In Ontario, budget roughly 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price. First-time buyers in Ontario may qualify for a land transfer tax refund of up to $4,000. Barrie and Simcoe County have no municipal land transfer tax.
What government programs are available for first-time buyers?
Several programs may help: the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), the Home Buyers' Plan (an RRSP withdrawal of up to $60,000 per person, repaid over 15 years), the federal First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit, and the Ontario land transfer tax refund of up to $4,000. The former First-Time Home Buyer Incentive stopped accepting applications in March 2024. We review which programs apply to you during the planning stage.
What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?
Pre-qualification is an informal estimate based on information you provide. Pre-approval involves a credit check and verification of income and assets, resulting in a conditional commitment from a lender for a specific amount and rate, usually valid for 90 to 120 days.
How do I get in touch with your team?
Call us at (705) 795-6678, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, or start your mortgage plan online in three short steps and we will get back to you, usually within one business day.
Buying, renewing or refinancing in Barrie?
Three short steps online, or one phone call. We reply usually within one business day with what we need and what happens next.