For Buyers
The Manitoba Buyer's Guide
The Process
Buying in six steps
- 01
Get Pre-Approved
Before you tour a single home, get a pre-approval from a mortgage lender. This tells you your real budget — not an estimate — and makes your offers credible to sellers. I work with trusted local brokers who can move quickly.
- 02
Define Your Criteria
Neighbourhood, size, layout, must-haves vs. nice-to-haves. Getting clear on this saves time and prevents offer regret. I'll help you pressure-test your list against what's actually available in your budget.
- 03
Search & Tour
Your saved search in My Account will alert you the moment matching homes hit the market. In a competitive neighbourhood, speed matters. Tour quickly and decide confidently.
- 04
Make an Offer
An offer in Manitoba includes price, conditions (financing, inspection), irrevocable date, and possession date. I'll advise on every element based on the specific property and current market.
- 05
Condition Period
Financing, inspection, and other conditions must be negotiated and written into the offer. Their deadlines depend on the agreement and the work required.
- 06
Waive Conditions & Close
Once conditions are satisfied, you go firm. A real estate lawyer typically handles the legal work needed to complete your purchase. I walk you through possession day — keys, utility transfers, and what to expect.
Beyond the down payment
The purchase price isn't the whole picture.
Your down payment isn’t the only money you’ll need. There are other expenses to plan for, including land transfer tax, legal fees, and costs that depend on the property. A useful starting point is to budget about 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price. That’s an estimate, not a fixed amount.
Explore Closing Costs- Manitoba land transfer tax
- Legal fees
- Title-related expenses
- Property tax adjustments
- Other costs that apply to your purchase
FAQ
Common Questions
For homes priced at $500,000 or less, the minimum down payment is usually 5%.
For homes between $500,000 and $1.5 million, it’s 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the amount above that.
For homes priced at $1.5 million or more, you’ll generally need at least 20%.
Your lender may require more depending on your finances.
Official sources: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: down payment (opens in a new tab).
If your down payment is less than 20%, you’ll usually need mortgage default insurance.
This insurance protects the lender if you can’t repay the mortgage. It doesn’t protect you.
The cost depends on your mortgage and down payment. Your lender can tell you exactly what you’ll pay.
In Manitoba, there’s also sales tax on the insurance premium. That tax needs to be paid separately.
Official sources: CMHC premium information (opens in a new tab) and Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: down payment (opens in a new tab).
Closing costs are the extra expenses you pay when buying a home, on top of your down payment.
They can include land transfer tax, legal fees, and adjustments for property taxes.
A useful starting point is to budget roughly 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price. Your actual costs will depend on the property and your situation.
See the full Closing Costs guide for details.
Official sources: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: buying a home (opens in a new tab) and Manitoba land transfer tax (opens in a new tab).
There’s no single deadline that applies to every offer.
If your offer includes conditions, such as financing or a home inspection, we’ll agree on deadlines with the seller and put them in writing.
I’ll help you choose realistic dates so you have enough time to get things done.
A deposit is money you put toward buying a home to show the seller you’re serious.
In Winnipeg, deposits are often a few thousand dollars, but there’s no single amount required for every purchase. The amount depends on the home, the offer, and what you and the seller agree to.
The deposit is usually held in a real estate brokerage’s trust account until the sale is completed.
Your deposit isn’t an extra fee. If the purchase goes through, it counts toward the money you’re paying for the home.
Official sources: Real Estate Services Regulation (opens in a new tab).
It depends on why the purchase didn’t go through.
If your offer includes conditions, such as getting mortgage approval or a satisfactory home inspection, and you can’t meet those conditions, your deposit is usually returned once the necessary paperwork is completed, provided the offer allows you to end the deal for that reason.
But if you back out after the deal becomes firm, you could lose your deposit and face other legal consequences.
I’ll explain the conditions and deadlines before you make an offer, so you understand when your deposit could be at risk.
Official sources: Real Estate Services Regulation (opens in a new tab).
From starting your search to possession, most buyers take 1–4 months. Financing, inspection, and other conditions must be negotiated and written into the offer. Their deadlines depend on the agreement and the work required.
A real estate lawyer typically handles the legal work needed to complete your purchase.
That includes transferring ownership, registering the property, and making sure the money goes where it needs to go.
I’ll help you understand when to involve your lawyer and what information they’ll need.
How can I help you?
Whether you're ready to see a home or just starting to look, choose what works for you.
- Book a showingFound a property you'd like to see?
- Browse active listingsExplore homes currently on the market.
- Find my homeTell me what you're looking for, at your own pace.
Prefer to reach me directly? Call 204-612-0586 or email info@204realtor.ca.
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