First-time buyer · Montreal
The biggest purchase of your life, in Quebec's most expensive city. Here is the path in order, the programs to stack and the boroughs where a first budget becomes a home.
Buying a first home in Montreal in 2026 remains possible if you target the right boroughs and stack the programs. On price, the island's single-family median is $817,500, but Rivière-des-Prairies ($583,250), Anjou ($625,125) and Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve ($628,000) stay under $650,000, and condos run from $345,000 in Rivière-des-Prairies to $600,000 on the Plateau. On help, a first-time buyer stacks the FHSA ($8,000 a year, $40,000 lifetime, deductible), the HBP (up to $60,000 from the RRSP), Quebec's welcome tax refund (up to $5,875 since 2026), the federal and provincial tax credits (about $2,900 together), the 30-year amortization and the eliminated GST on a new home up to one million. The path: real budget, programs, pre-approval, then the choice of borough. Since Finances Québec's Information Bulletin 2026-2 (April 2026), this credit is reduced by 2.35 % of the portion of the price above $750,000 and disappears at $1,000,000: $4,700 at $800,000, $2,350 at $900,000.
The minimum down payment is 5% up to $500,000 and 10% on the portion between $500,000 and $1.5 million; the 20% threshold only starts at $1.5 million since December 15, 2024. But a first purchase budget also includes the welcome tax (payable a few months after the purchase, and particularly heavy in Montreal), notary fees, the inspection, tax adjustments and, under 20% down, the insurance premium and the 9% tax on that premium, payable in cash. The stress test requires qualifying at the higher of your rate plus 2 points and 5.25%. Details in mortgage pre-approval and notary fees.
The FHSA: $8,000 a year, $40,000 lifetime, deductible at contribution, tax-free withdrawal, never repaid. The HBP: up to $60,000 withdrawn from the RRSP, repayable over 15 years; both combine. The welcome tax refund: up to $5,875 for a first-time buyer since January 1, 2026. The federal and Quebec first-time home buyers' tax credits, about $2,900 together. The 30-year amortization for first-time buyers on insured loans. The eliminated GST on a new home up to one million. And in Montreal, a partial refund of transfer duties for certain eligible first-time buyers. Full list: first-time buyer programs in Quebec 2026.
It sets the real range and holds a rate for 90 to 120 days. In boroughs with 31-day delays, an offer without a pre-approval weighs nothing against a firm one.
| Budget | Single-family home | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Under $450,000 | Out of reach on the island | Rivière-des-Prairies ($345,000), Anjou ($381,000), Lachine ($403,500), Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve ($428,250), LaSalle ($449,000) |
| $450,000 to $650,000 | Rivière-des-Prairies ($583,250), Anjou ($625,125), Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve ($628,000) | Villeray ($479,000), Saint-Laurent ($482,289), Rosemont ($560,000), Verdun ($575,000), Plateau ($600,000) |
| $650,000 to $900,000 | LaSalle ($711,250), Lachine ($722,500), Villeray ($736,500), Saint-Laurent ($890,937) | Outremont ($770,000) |
| Over $900,000 | Rosemont ($1,138,000), Verdun ($1,250,000), Plateau ($1,437,562) | Westmount (about $1,296,000) |
Medians from Centris compilations, second quarter of 2026 or last four quarters. The east of the island offers both the softest prices and the shortest delays (31 to 32 days): first-time buyers understood it before the statistics did.
Financing and inspection are the two non-negotiable conditions of a first offer to purchase, each with a one- to two-week deadline. Removing the inspection to please the seller is buying without a net. And if the budget does not fit on the island, the same path applies in the suburbs: our South Shore guide shows where $550,000 buys a detached house.
Before making an offer in Montreal, our figures drawn from actual sales:
All four pages are built on listings sold over the last twelve months, not on regional averages. They exist to put a number on an offer rather than guess at one.
The owner-occupant's plex: Plex prices in Montreal: $310,750 per door, GRM 17.7x
Bungalow or two-storey home in Montreal:
Single-storey homes make up 30% of sales in Montreal over ten years; our page gives both price series, the second-floor premium and who the bungalow is for.
What one more bedroom costs in Montreal:
Three price series (3, 4, 5 or more bedrooms) over ten years, the fourth- and fifth-bedroom premiums, and the size that rose the most in Montreal.
What one more bedroom costs in a condo in Montreal:
The median price of 1-, 2- and 3-plus-bedroom condos over ten years, the second- and third-bedroom premiums, and the size that rose the most in Montreal.
Days on market in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Median days for a house and a condo by year since 2016, the decade's four markets and what today's delay changes when selling in Montreal.
The number of sales in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Houses, condos and plexes sold per year since 2016, the record year, the high-rate trough and what today's volume changes when selling in Montreal.
Plex prices in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
The median price of a plex per year since 2016, next to houses and condos, the frenzy, the rate brake and what the plex-to-house ratio tells a buyer in Montreal.
How many homes are for sale in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Month-end inventory and new listings per year since 2016, the frenzy trough, absorption, months of inventory and why prices doubled in Montreal.
Sale price relative to asking price in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
At what percentage of asking houses have sold since 2016, the 2021 bidding wars, the return of negotiation and what the gap is worth in dollars in Montreal.
Houses that do not sell in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Listings expired without a sale per year since 2016, the failure rate against sales, average days next to median days and what today's rate tells a seller in Montreal.
The average house price in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
The average sale price per year since 2016, next to the median and the asking price, why the average is higher and which of the three prices to use to set yours in Montreal.
How many dollars of houses sell in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
The total sale prices per year since 2016, next to the number of sales and the average price: whether the rise comes from price or from the number of buyers in Montreal.
House appreciation in Montreal by year of purchase:
What a house bought in 2016, 2019, 2021 or 2024 is worth today at the median price, in dollars, in percent and per year, house and condo, and what is left for those who bought at the peak in Montreal.
From condo to house in Montreal, the gap to close:
The median price of the house and the condo year by year since 2016, the gap between them, and whether the gain on a condo bought in 2016, 2019, 2021 or 2023 covers the jump in Montreal.
The Montreal market in one table:
Price, growth, sales, volume, days on market, inventory, over-asking, unsold, condo and appreciation, each with the city's rank among 50 and ten years of detail in Montreal.
How much down payment to buy in Montreal:
The legal minimum on the median house, the 20% that avoids the CMHC premium, the premium at the minimum, what a FHSA and an HBP cover, the condo, and ten years of perspective in Montreal.
How many condos are for sale in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Condominium inventory at each month-end and new listings per year since 2016, absorption, months of inventory, and the comparison with single-family houses in Montreal.
When to sell in Montreal, ten years of sales month by month:
The month with the most home sales, the quietest month, spring versus winter, the best-paying month and when to list to sell at the right time in Montreal.
Condos that do not sell in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Condo listings expired without a sale per year since 2016, the failure rate against sales, the same rate for houses, and what it tells a condo seller in Montreal.
How many plexes are for sale in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Plexes for sale at each month-end and new listings since 2016, absorption, months of inventory, and the comparison with houses and condos in Montreal.
When to sell a condo in Montreal, ten years of sales month by month:
The month with the most condo sales, the quietest month, spring versus winter, the best-paying month, houses alongside and when to list in Montreal.
Plexes that do not sell in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Plex listings expired without a sale per year since 2016, the failure rate against sales, the same rate for houses and condos, and what it tells a building seller in Montreal.
How much buyers negotiate a condo in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Sale price as a percentage of asking for condos, year by year since 2016, the ratio on the original price, houses alongside and the dollar gap on the median condo in Montreal.
How much buyers negotiate a plex in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Sale price as a percentage of asking for plexes, year by year since 2016, the ratio on the original price, houses and condos alongside and the dollar gap on the median building in Montreal.
What the median house costs a month in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
The monthly payment on the house in the middle every year since 2016 with the Centris price and the 5-year rate actually charged, the share of price and the share of rate, the renewal shock and the income it takes in Montreal.
What the house really gained in Montreal, once inflation is removed:
Each year's median price converted to 2026 dollars with the Quebec CPI, the real increase, the years of real decline, the peak in purchasing power and the condo alongside in Montreal.
What the median condo costs a month in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
The monthly payment on the condo in the middle every year since 2016 with the Centris price and the 5-year rate actually charged, the share of price and the share of rate, the renewal shock and the income it takes in Montreal.
How long to sell a plex in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Median and average days on market of plexes year by year since 2016, the house and the condo alongside, market periods and the weight of buildings that sit in Montreal.
How much is a duplex, a triplex, a quadruplex in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
The median price by building type year by year since 2016, the number of sales, the price per unit, what the extra unit costs and the house alongside in Montreal.
Montreal or the city next door: where to buy in 2026, matchup by matchup:
Each matchup puts Montreal and a neighbouring city side by side over ten years of Centris sales: house and condo prices, gap, days on market, inventory, bidding, unsold listings and monthly payment.
How much is a semi-detached or row house in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
The median price by house type year by year since 2016, the number of sales, the shared-wall discount and how it moved in Montreal.
How many houses still sell under $500,000 in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Sales under $500,000 and under $400,000 year by year since 2016, their share, the tipping year and what is still available under the threshold in Montreal.
How many houses sell for over $1 million in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Sales at $1,000,000 and up year by year since 2016, their share, the first year with ten sales and what is paid above the million in Montreal.
At what price houses sell in Montreal, range by range:
The distribution of sales by price bracket in 2020, 2023 and 2026, the best-selling range, the share under $500,000 and above $750,000 in Montreal.
How long to sell by price in Montreal:
Median days on market by price bracket over the past twelve months, the fastest bracket, the slowest and what it changes for selling or buying in Montreal.
How much the lot is worth in a house price in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
The median price of houses on small lots and on large lots year by year since 2016, the large-lot premium and how it moved in Montreal.
How many dollars of condos sell in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Condo sales volume year by year since 2016, the number of sales and the average price behind it, and the condo's share of the market in Montreal.
The average condo price in Montreal, and why it exceeds the median:
The average sale price of condos year by year since 2016, beside the median price and the asking price, and the gap between the two in Montreal.
How long to sell a condo by price in Montreal:
Median condo days on market by price bracket over the past twelve months, the fastest bracket, the slowest and what it changes for selling or buying a condo in Montreal.
How long to sell a plex by price in Montreal:
Median plex days on market by price bracket over the past twelve months, the fastest bracket, the slowest and what it changes for selling or buying a plex in Montreal.
At what price plexes sell in Montreal, range by range:
The distribution of plex sales by price bracket in 2020 and 2026, the best-selling range, the share under $450,000 and under $600,000 in Montreal.
The average plex price in Montreal, and why it exceeds the median:
The average sale price of plex year by year since 2016, beside the median price and the asking price, and the gap between the two in Montreal.
How many dollars of plex sell in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
Plex sales volume year by year since 2016, the number of sales and the average price behind it, and the plex's share of the market in Montreal.
Where the real estate money goes in Montreal:
Sales dollars split between houses, condos and plexes every year since 2016, the category that weighs the most and the one that grew the most in Montreal.
What sells at what price in Montreal:
The 2026 sales crossed by price range and category: what sells under $300,000, who holds the million, where houses, condos and plexes compete in Montreal.
Which sells fastest in Montreal, house, condo or plex:
Days on market of houses, condos and plexes compared price range by price range over twelve months in Montreal.
At what price condos sell in Montreal, range by range:
The distribution of condo sales by price bracket in 2020 and 2026, the best-selling range, the share under $300,000 and under $400,000 in Montreal.
The Montreal plex, the 2026 file:
Prices, returns, buying checklist and duplex or triplex, on Centris sales and leases.
The plex in Montreal, the 2026 file:
Prices, door, days on market, volume, down payment and what the median does not say, on Centris sales.
Is a plex profitable in Montreal in 2026:
The full math on the duplex, triplex and fourplex at the 2026 median price and the median rent in Montreal, labelled assumptions.
Duplex or triplex in Montreal, the 2026 comparison:
Prices, price per unit, minimum down payment to live in it and days on market, on Centris sales by type.
House or plex in Montreal, ten years face to face:
Prices, change, days on market, negotiation, plex-to-house ratio and price per door, on Centris sales.
The market in Montreal this month:
Days on market, sold against asking, inventory and September 2026 verdict in Montreal, over the past twelve Centris months.
The condo market in Montreal this month:
Days on market, sold against asking, median price and September 2026 verdict for the condo in Montreal, compared with the house, over the past twelve Centris months.
The welcome tax on the median house in Montreal, 2016 against 2026:
The tax computed year by year on the Centris median price with the city's 2026 grid, and what a first-time buyer pays net in Montreal.
Which houses linger by price in Montreal:
Average against median days on market by price bracket over the past twelve months, the ratio between the two and the bracket where listings linger the most in Montreal.
How many foreclosures in Montreal, ten years of perspective:
The number of houses sold as foreclosures year by year since 2016, their share of sales, their median price against all sales and the rebound from the trough in Montreal.
Split-level, storey-and-a-half, bungalow or two-storey in Montreal:
Four house types side by side over ten years: median price, gap between types, share of sales and the one that rose the most in Montreal.
How much buyers negotiate on a house by price in Montreal:
Sold-to-asking ratio by price bracket over the past twelve months, the bracket negotiated the most, the one where asking or more is paid, and what it changes for selling or buying in Montreal.
How much buyers negotiate on a condo by price in Montreal:
Sold-to-asking ratio by price bracket over the past twelve months, the bracket negotiated the most, the one where asking or more is paid, and what it changes for selling or buying in Montreal.
How much buyers negotiate on a plex by price in Montreal:
Sold-to-asking ratio by price bracket over the past twelve months, the bracket negotiated the most, the one where asking or more is paid, and what it changes for selling or buying in Montreal.
Where the money goes by price in Montreal:
Share of dollars against share of sales by price bracket over the past twelve months, the average ticket and the bracket that weighs the most in Montreal.
How much condo sellers cut their price before selling in Montreal:
Condo sale prices as a percentage of the original and of the last asking price, by price bracket over twelve months, and the bracket where sellers adjust the most in Montreal.
What one more bathroom costs in Montreal:
Three price series (1, 2, 3 or more bathrooms) over ten years, the second- and third-bathroom premiums, and the class that rose the most in Montreal.
What the waterfront costs in Montreal:
Median price of houses bordered by a body of water versus all houses, year by year since 2018, the waterfront premium and the share of sales in Montreal.
Property taxes in Montreal:
The tax bill, increase and rate published by the city for 2026, the assessment roll year and the school tax, with sources.
It depends on the price, the down payment and debts: with the stress test at a 5.25% minimum, a $450,000 condo with 5% down generally requires a household income around $100,000. The pre-approval gives your exact number.
Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles, with a single-family home at $583,250 and a condo at $345,000 in the second quarter of 2026, followed by Anjou and Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
Yes, on the same purchase: up to $40,000 of FHSA plus growth and $60,000 of HBP per person, double for a couple.
Also available in French: version française de ce guide.
Published September 1, 2026 by the Loaa & Manseur team, the number 1 team at RE/MAX Platine in 2024 and 2025, 6th RE/MAX team in Quebec, 15th in Canada and in the global top 50 according to the official RE/MAX ranking. Tell us about your project.
Équipe no 1 de RE/MAX Platine en 2024 et en 2025, 6e au Québec, 15e au Canada et dans le top 50 mondial au classement officiel RE/MAX. Réponse en moins de 24 heures, sept jours sur sept.