Buying a New House

Your space, your way

Make an appointment

Tips for a successful project

Planning to buy a custom home or a condo that's still in the planning stages? Dreaming of building your own dream house? Here are some tips to guide you through the process.

Buying or building a new home

Woman works at her desk while her two children are reading on a couch

How long will it take?

For this type of purchase, you'll need to be available on a regular basis to make major decisions. A self-construction could take you 20-30 hours per week1 for the duration of the project.

Of course, you can hire a project manager who'll take charge of the whole thing. But since it's your home, you'll still have to be responsible for certain decisions, and you'll need to make a significant personal investment.

Young couple talking with a banking advisor

Financing the purchase of a new home

Financing the construction of a home requires greater involvement from your bank. An authorized inspector will verify the progress of the work before gradually freeing up more funds. During the last inspection, the inspector must certify that work is 100% complete and the home is ready for occupancy.

Wondering how much you could borrow to buy or build a home? Use the calculator below.

Calculate my mortgage
Young couple talking with a banking advisor
Young couple talking with a banking advisor
Young couple talking with a banking advisor
Bon à savoir
Picto of a lightbulb and a dollar sign

Good to know:  Are you planning on buying your first home? That’s great! As of August 1, 2024, first-time homebuyers purchasing new builds can get a 30-year mortgage.  

Learn more on the Government of Canada website

Young man and young woman talking with an architect

Hire the right people

It's important to do business with the right builder or manufacturer when you buy a custom or prefab home. Ask about their experience, visit previous projects, request references and scrutinize their estimates. Also make sure they have the necessary licenses and permits to carry out the work.

Need help? National Bank maintains a database of recognized builders. Ask your mortgage advisor for more information.

Find an advisor
Young couple looking at floor plan with an architect

Learn about the construction process

Monitor the progress of the work and check that the budget is being followed. The main construction steps are usually as follows: excavation, pouring foundations, framework, exterior finishing, installation of windows and doors, plastering and interior finishing.

For a self-construction, the Bank generally allows a maximum of 12 months to complete the home.

Young couple looking at floor plan with an architect
Young couple looking at floor plan with an architect
Young couple looking at floor plan with an architect
White haired woman at her desk is looking at her computer

Everything you need to know about buying a new home

Learn about your rights under the new home warranty plan, which may protect you in the event of a building infraction or delay. If you live in Quebec, the Quebec government can issue a tax refund equivalent to 50% of the QST (up to $9,804) and 36% of the GST (up to $6,300).

You should also find out if the contractors involved in building your home are entitled to sell or take possession of it home if you fail to pay.

Young couple sitting on the floor in a house under construction

Everything you need to know about building your own home

Designing your dream home? You'll need to set your budget, then find a plot of land that suits your needs.

Next, you'll draw up a construction plan and have it assessed by the Bank or the loan insurer. Get the necessary permits, and don't forget to take out general insurance for the duration of the work, as well as home insurance once work is complete.

Young couple sitting on the floor in a house under construction

 

 

Young couple sitting on the floor in a house under construction

 

 

Young couple sitting on the floor in a house under construction

 

 

 

 

Thinking about buying?

You could receive up to $3,000 cashback 

View offer

Solutions to power your dreams

Mortgage loans

Whether you want the peace of mind that comes with a fixed rate, the potential interest savings of a variable rate, or a combination of the two, we've got the mortgage loan for you.2

See our mortgage loans

Home equity line of credit

Buy a home with the All-In-One™ line of credit and leverage your home equity to finance new projects, like renovations or travel.8

See the All-In-One line of credit

Loan and line of credit insurance

Get disability, critical illness and life coverage for your loan or line of credit so that your loved ones don't inherit your debt.3

See loan insurance

Our mortgage solutions can help you get the home of your dreams.

See all our solutions

More on buying a home

Little details that matter

The Building Your Own Home pamphlet sets out a list of steps to be completed before, during and after you build your home.

The Renovating Your Home pamphlet provides advice to help you organize your renovations.

The Having a Home Built for You pamphlet sets out everything you need to know about having a builder or manufacturer build your home.

In order to qualify for a mortgage loan with an amortization period of up to 30 years for a first-time buyer of a new build, the requirements below apply:

  • At least one borrower below is a first-time homebuyer in that:
    • The borrower has never purchased a home before; or
    • In the last 4 years, the borrower has not occupied a home as a principal place of residence that either they themselves or their current spouse or common-law partner owned; or
    • The borrower has recently experienced the breakdown of a marriage or common-law partnership.
  • The property being purchased is a newly constructed home, has never, been previously occupied for residential purposes and will be owner-occupied.

If the above declarations prove to be incorrect, the Bank may cancel the financing or, as the case may be, consider that a default has occurred under the mortgage loan agreement and avail itself of its rights and remedies under the mortgage.

TM All-In-One is a trademark of National Bank of Canada.

  1. Source: maison-construction.com, general estimate.
  2. Subject to credit approval by National Bank of Canada. Certain conditions apply.
  3. Certain conditions apply.

Ready to start?

You'll get an edge over other buyers and guarantee your interest rate for 90 days—it's free and there's no obligation to buy.

Get pre‑approved
Advisor icon
Picto of a question mark in a circle