Mortgages in Merritton
A historic neighbourhood in the south end, with older detached homes near the Welland Canal. Here’s what buying there costs and which rules apply, before you compare lenders with one licensed mortgage professional.
Short answer
Merritton is in St. Catharines, so St. Catharines’s tax rates and Ontario’s rules apply. On a $750,000 home you’d need at least $50,000 down and $11,475 in land transfer tax ($7,475 for a first-time buyer). Property tax runs about $1,842 a year per $100,000 of assessed value.
Buying in Merritton
A historic neighbourhood in the south end, with older detached homes near the Welland Canal.
Older detached homes at lower prices draw first-time buyers and renovators. The canal and its trails are close by.
What to know about a mortgage in Merritton
Older homes in Merritton often need updates. A thorough inspection helps you budget, and if you plan to renovate, ask about a purchase-plus-improvements mortgage, which adds the cost of the work to your mortgage up front.
Merritton is popular with first-time buyers. Ask about the First Home Savings Account and the Home Buyers’ Plan for your down payment, and Ontario’s land transfer tax refund for first-time buyers.
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 $750,000 home in Merritton
| Repeat buyer | First-time buyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Mortgage insurance (added to the loan) | $28,000 | $28,000 |
| Sales tax on insurance (cash) | $2,240 | $2,240 |
| Ontario land transfer tax | $11,475 | $7,475 |
| Cash at closing | $63,715 | $59,715 |
Example price, not a local average. Minimum down payment and a 25-year amortization; legal fees, title insurance and adjustments are extra.
St. Catharines rules that apply in Merritton
St. Catharines’s 2026 residential property tax rate is 1.8422% (urban area), about $1,842 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value. 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)
- St. Catharines property tax rates
- Habitat for Humanity Niagara
Common questions
How much down payment do I need for a home in Merritton?
What property tax will I pay in Merritton?
Can I add a rental unit to a home in Merritton?
Who can help me get a mortgage in Merritton?
More St. Catharines neighbourhoods
Your next home starts with one conversation.
Tell us your plans and talk to one licensed mortgage professional. Free, with no obligation.
