Buying a property in Quebec means nine clearly mapped steps. Here's the complete roadmap with realistic timelines, so you always know where you stand.
The complete journey
Mortgage pre-approval
The mortgage broker shops for you among 20+ lenders. Pre-approval letter + rate locked for 90-120 days.
Defining criteria and searching
My real questions: pace of life, commuting, expected family changes, tolerance for renovations, resale horizon. A tailored list from Centris + my upcoming listings.
Guided showings
A maximum of 5 showings per outing — beyond that, you mix everything up. After each showing, we take 10 minutes to note the pros and cons while they're fresh.
Offer to purchase
A 14-20 page legal document. Price, conditions, timelines, inclusions/exclusions. This is the step where the negotiation is won or lost.
Negotiation and counter-offers
The seller accepts, refuses or counter-offers. It can go back and forth 2-3 times. My role: real-time comparable numbers to avoid emotional overbidding.
Pre-purchase inspection
Full inspection (2-4 h), report delivered 24-48 h later. If major problems: we renegotiate or walk away. See the full guide.
Financing confirmation
The bank confirms after appraising the property. This is the step where some transactions fall through — hence the importance of a solid pre-approval.
Closing at the notary's
Title search, adjustments, preparation of the deed. You sign and pay the balance. I'm present.
Taking possession
Handover of the keys. Final walkthrough together: agreed condition, inclusions present, services transferred.
Typical total timeline: from pre-approval to handover of the keys, 3 to 5 months. Possible in 45 days if urgent, sometimes slower for a meticulous search.
FAQ — buying steps
How many offers on average before one is accepted?
Based on my internal 2024-2025 data, generally 1 to 3 offers are enough for my clients. Up-front selection makes all the difference — timelines and the number of offers vary by market and district.
What to do if I get outbid?
Case by case. Sometimes we keep the same offer (the seller comes back if the other buyer withdraws), sometimes we raise it modestly, sometimes we pass. The decision is based on real value, not emotion.
How much do a buyer broker's services cost?
Since June 2022, the buyer brokerage contract provides for a fee owed by the buyer. In practice, this fee is usually covered in whole or in part by the fee split offered by the seller's listing broker. The exact terms are set out in your buyer brokerage contract.