Mortgages in Cornell
A newer planned community in east Markham, with townhouses, detached homes and lane-way garages. Here’s what buying there costs and which rules apply, before you compare lenders with one licensed mortgage professional.
Short answer
Cornell is in Markham, so Markham’s tax rates and Ontario’s rules apply. On a $1,000,000 home you’d need at least $75,000 down and $16,475 in land transfer tax ($12,475 for a first-time buyer). Property tax runs about $723 a year per $100,000 of assessed value.
Buying in Cornell
A newer planned community in east Markham, with townhouses, detached homes and lane-way garages.
Designed around walkable streets and parks, it has many townhouses and semis alongside detached homes. It’s close to Markham Stouffville Hospital.
What to know about a mortgage in Cornell
If you’re buying new construction in Cornell, plan for builder deposits paid in stages and closing dates that can move. Your mortgage approval needs to be ready, or renewable, for the actual closing date, and the final price can include adjustments you won’t see in the purchase price.
How NorthMerit can help
Tell us what you’re planning and we’ll connect you with one licensed mortgage professional who compares lenders for you. It’s free, and there’s no obligation.
What it costs to buy a $1,000,000 home in Cornell
| Repeat buyer | First-time buyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | $75,000 | $75,000 |
| Mortgage insurance (added to the loan) | $37,000 | $37,000 |
| Sales tax on insurance (cash) | $2,960 | $2,960 |
| Ontario land transfer tax | $16,475 | $12,475 |
| Cash at closing | $94,435 | $90,435 |
Example price, not a local average. Minimum down payment and a 25-year amortization; legal fees, title insurance and adjustments are extra.
Markham rules that apply in Cornell
Markham’s 2026 residential property tax rate is 0.7229%, about $723 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value. Source
York Region decided in November 2023 not to bring in a vacant home tax. Source
Ontario’s Planning Act allows up to three units on most serviced residential lots, such as a main home plus a basement apartment and a garden suite, as long as you meet the building code and local zoning details. Source
Lenders can count part of the rent from a legal unit toward your income, and some will use the expected rent when you buy. A unit that isn’t legal or registered where required may not count, and can complicate your insurance.
Sources
We checked these figures against official sources in October 2026. Rules and rates change, so confirm the details with your mortgage professional, lawyer or the source before you rely on them.
- Minimum down payment (Financial Consumer Agency of Canada)
- Mortgage insurance premiums (CMHC)
- Calculating land transfer tax (Government of Ontario)
- Land transfer tax refunds for first-time buyers (Government of Ontario)
- Additional residential units, up to three per lot (Environmental Registry of Ontario)
- Markham property tax rates
- Markham: vacant home tax
Common questions
How much down payment do I need for a home in Cornell?
What property tax will I pay in Cornell?
Can I add a rental unit to a home in Cornell?
Who can help me get a mortgage in Cornell?
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