Buying your first home is one of the biggest milestones in life — an exciting blend of independence, investment, and long-term planning. But for many Canadians, especially first-time buyers, the cost of getting into the market can feel overwhelming. From saving for a down payment to navigating closing fees, taxes, and builder contracts, the financial side can quickly overshadow the excitement.
That’s why the First-Time Buyers Event – How to Access the 13% HST/GST Rebate is such a timely and valuable opportunity. This event is specifically designed to decode one of the most powerful tax savings tools newly introduced for first-time buyers: a rebate worth up to the full federal portion of HST/GST, potentially saving buyers tens of thousands of dollars on a newly built home.
If you’re planning to buy a pre-construction condo, townhome, newly built detached home, or you’re considering building your own home, this event can help you understand exactly how much you can save — and how to structure your purchase correctly to ensure you qualify.
This in-depth blog will walk you through:
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What the event covers
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How the new rebate works
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Why it matters for first-time buyers right now
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What to expect when you attend
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Who should prioritize attending
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A full FAQ section answering the most common questions buyers have
Let’s dive in!
What Is the First-Time Buyers Event?
The First-Time Buyers Event is an in-person learning session focused on helping new homebuyers understand Canada’s newly introduced 13% HST/GST rebate available for first-time purchasers of newly built homes. Hosted in Mississauga, Ontario, the event brings together real-estate experts, rebate specialists, mortgage advisors, and experienced professionals who break down:
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The rebate rules
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Eligibility criteria
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What homes qualify
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How much money you can save
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How the process works from contract-signing to move-in
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How the rebate may be applied at closing
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Which pitfalls to avoid when buying a new construction home
Unlike general homebuyer seminars, this event is specifically tailored to help you maximize rebate opportunities and avoid missing out due to timing, paperwork errors, or misunderstandings.
For anyone thinking of purchasing in the next 1–3 years, this is a chance to learn how to reduce one of the biggest upfront costs associated with new housing.
Why This Event Matters More Than Ever
1. The Rebate Is New — and Complex
The federal government recently introduced a rebate program that allows first-time homebuyers to recover up to the entire federal portion of HST/GST when purchasing certain newly constructed properties. Because it’s new, there’s still confusion around:
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How it’s calculated
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Who’s eligible
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What counts as a “first-time buyer”
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How the rebate interacts with builder pricing
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Whether you receive it directly or the builder applies it upfront
This event is one of the few places where you can get real-time guidance directly from professionals who understand the legislation and how it applies in the real estate market.
2. The Potential Savings Are Significant
If your home qualifies, this rebate can put thousands — or tens of thousands — back into your pocket.
For newly built homes priced at $1 million or less, you may be eligible for a full rebate of the federal tax. That can amount to substantial savings, particularly for buyers of:
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Pre-construction condos
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Newly built townhomes
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Owner-built detached homes
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Co-op shares in newly constructed developments
With home prices continually rising, these savings can help bridge the gap between “almost affordable” and “achievable.”
3. The Timeline Matters — A Lot
One of the most important details about this rebate is the time window. First-time homebuyers must meet certain conditions related to:
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When the purchase agreement is signed
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When construction starts
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When possession is taken
Missing these timing conditions — even by a few days — can mean losing eligibility. The event explains these conditions clearly so buyers don’t inadvertently disqualify themselves.
4. Builders and Buyers Often Interpret Rules Differently
Because the rebate is still relatively new, builders, sales representatives, and even some legal professionals may interpret certain parts of the rebate differently.
For instance:
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Some builders may pass the rebate on as a price reduction.
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Others may require buyers to assign the rebate to them.
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Some may ask for additional paperwork.
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And some may not mention it at all unless buyers ask.
Learning exactly what to ask your builder protects you from surprises.
What You’ll Learn at the Event
1. Full Breakdown of the Rebate Program
Experts will explain, in plain language:
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How the rebate works
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What portions of HST/GST it covers
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Why the rebate exists
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Which homes qualify and which don’t
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How pricing tiers affect rebate amounts
By the end of the session, you’ll understand exactly how to calculate your potential savings.
2. First-Time Buyer Eligibility
Defining a “first-time homebuyer” can be trickier than it sounds. You’ll learn:
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How residency and citizenship affect eligibility
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How the rules apply to married or common-law couples
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What happens if one partner previously owned a home
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How co-signers affect eligibility
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What documentation you’ll need at closing
These details make or break eligibility — and the event lays them out clearly.
3. Builder Contracts & Rebate Assignments
If you’re buying a pre-construction or newly built home, you’ll likely encounter rebate-related clauses in your builder agreement. The event covers:
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What it means to “assign the rebate to the builder”
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How to read rebate clauses correctly
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What questions to ask before signing
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How the rebate affects your actual closing costs
Many buyers sign contracts without fully understanding these terms — this event helps you avoid that mistake.
4. How Much You Can Save in Different Scenarios
Speakers will walk through real-life scenarios such as:
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A $700,000 condo purchase
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A $950,000 townhouse purchase
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A $1.2 million semi-detached home
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A $1.5+ million home and why it doesn’t qualify
These examples help you understand how savings vary based on price.
5. Additional Incentives You Might Combine with the Rebate
The event also covers how the rebate interacts with:
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The First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
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RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)
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Land transfer tax rebates (provincial/city-specific)
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The existing new-housing rebate
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Mortgage incentives and programs
By stacking multiple programs, many buyers reduce their upfront costs dramatically.
Why In-Person Learning Matters
With so much information available online, you might wonder why attending in person is worthwhile. Here are the biggest advantages:
✔ Immediate Answers to Your Questions
You can bring your specific scenario — home type, budget, builder, timeline — and receive tailored answers.
✔ Learn from Real-Life Examples
Case studies make the rebate easier to understand than reading government documents.
✔ Avoid Misinterpretation
Government rebate language is notoriously complex. Industry experts simplify it.
✔ Network With Other First-Time Buyers
You may meet people in similar situations, with similar questions.
✔ Clarify Builder Terms
Many builders already include rebate language in contracts — knowing what to look for prevents mistakes.
Who Should Attend This Event?
This event is ideal for:
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First-time buyers planning to purchase within the next 1–5 years
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Anyone considering a pre-construction or newly built property
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Buyers looking to purchase a home valued at $1.5M or less
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Couples or individuals unsure about their first-time buyer status
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New immigrants who want to understand Canadian housing incentives
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Families helping children buy their first home
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Anyone who wants to ensure they receive the maximum possible savings
If you’re uncertain whether you qualify, attending will give you clarity.
How to Prepare Before the Event
To maximize the value of attending:
1. Know Your Price Range
Even a rough estimate helps the presenters show you realistic rebate numbers.
2. Bring Questions
Examples:
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“Does my spouse’s previous homeownership affect eligibility?”
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“If I buy a pre-construction condo, when do I qualify?”
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“Can I combine this rebate with an FHSA withdrawal?”
3. Understand Your Timeline
Whether you plan to buy in 6 months or 6 years changes your approach.
4. Research Builders or Projects You’re Considering
If you have a specific development in mind, you can get direct guidance at the event.
FAQs: First-Time Buyers & the 13% Rebate
Below is a polished, reader-friendly FAQ section perfect for blogs and marketing pages.
1. What exactly is the 13% HST/GST rebate?
It’s a government rebate that allows eligible first-time buyers of newly built homes to recover the full federal portion of the HST/GST. For qualifying properties priced at or below a certain threshold, this can mean a rebate worth thousands, significantly reducing upfront home-buying costs.
2. Does the rebate apply to resale homes?
No. The rebate applies only to newly built or substantially renovated homes, including:
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Pre-construction condos
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Brand-new townhouses
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Newly built detached homes
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Co-op shares in newly built developments
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Owner-built homes
Resale homes do not qualify.
3. Can I use this rebate if I’m buying the home for rental or investment?
No. To qualify, the home must be intended as your primary residence.
4. What price range qualifies for the rebate?
Generally:
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Full rebate for eligible new homes priced up to a set threshold
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A reduced rebate for homes priced slightly above that range
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No rebate for homes priced at the top tier
Exact rebate amounts depend on home price and your eligibility.
5. Are couples treated differently than single buyers?
Yes. For couples (married or common-law):
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Both partners must meet the first-time buyer criteria
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If either partner previously owned and lived in a home, the couple may not qualify
This rule surprises many buyers — attending the event will clarify your situation.
6. Do I receive the rebate directly, or does the builder apply it?
In many cases, the rebate is assigned to the builder, reducing your purchase price or closing costs directly. However, this varies by builder and contract. You’ll learn how to confirm this before you sign.
7. Is there a deadline to qualify for the rebate?
Yes. The rebate is tied to:
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When you sign your purchase agreement
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When construction starts
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When you take ownership
Attendees will learn the exact timing requirements to avoid losing eligibility.
8. Can I combine this rebate with other programs?
Absolutely. Many first-time buyers also leverage:
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FHSA contributions
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RRSP HBP withdrawals
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Provincial tax rebates
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Municipal grants
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Existing new-home rebates
Stacking these incentives can drastically reduce upfront costs.
9. What if I’m unsure of my eligibility?
This is exactly why the event exists. Bring your questions — experts will help determine whether you qualify and how to proceed.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Attend Event for First-Time Buyers
Buying your first home is a major step — one that requires good planning, informed decision-making, and a strong understanding of available incentives. The 13% HST/GST rebate is one of the most generous first-time buyer incentives Canada has offered, and understanding how to access it can save you a remarkable amount of money.