Mortgages in Etobicoke

The west end of the city, from lakeside condos at Humber Bay to quiet detached streets in Islington and an industrial belt near the airport. Here’s what buying there costs and which rules apply, before you compare lenders with one licensed mortgage professional.

Updated October 2026Sources linked

Short answer

Etobicoke is in Toronto, so Toronto’s tax rates and Ontario’s rules apply. On a $1,500,000 home you’d need at least $300,000 down and $52,950 in land transfer tax ($44,475 for a first-time buyer). Property tax runs about $767 a year per $100,000 of assessed value.

Buying in Etobicoke

The west end of the city, from lakeside condos at Humber Bay to quiet detached streets in Islington and an industrial belt near the airport.

The Kingsway and Islington Village have older detached homes on large lots, Mimico and Humber Bay have newer condos, and Rexdale has more affordable homes near busy employment areas.

What to know about a mortgage in Etobicoke

Many homes in Etobicoke are condos. Lenders include your monthly condo fees when they work out what you can afford, and your lawyer will review the building’s status certificate, which shows the reserve fund and any upcoming special assessments.

If you’re buying new construction in Etobicoke, 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.

Older homes in Etobicoke 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.

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 $1,500,000 home in Etobicoke

Repeat buyerFirst-time buyer
Minimum down payment$300,000$300,000
Mortgage insurance (added to the loan)NoneNone
Sales tax on insurance (cash)$0$0
Ontario + Toronto land transfer tax$52,950$44,475
Cash at closing$352,950$344,475

Example price, not a local average. Minimum down payment and a 25-year amortization; legal fees, title insurance and adjustments are extra.

Toronto rules that apply in Etobicoke

Toronto’s 2026 residential property tax rate is 0.7673%, about $767 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value. Source

Toronto charges a Vacant Home Tax of 3% of the assessed value on homes left empty for more than six months of the year. Every owner has to declare their home’s status each year, even if they live in it. Source

Since May 2023, Toronto allows up to four units in residential zones across the city, so a house can become a duplex, triplex or fourplex, subject to building permits. Source

Operators of multi-tenant (rooming) houses need a City licence, under a city-wide framework in place since March 2024. Source

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.

  1. Minimum down payment (Financial Consumer Agency of Canada)
  2. Mortgage insurance premiums (CMHC)
  3. Calculating land transfer tax (Government of Ontario)
  4. Land transfer tax refunds for first-time buyers (Government of Ontario)
  5. Municipal Land Transfer Tax rates (City of Toronto)
  6. Toronto property tax rates
  7. Toronto: vacant home tax
  8. Toronto: rental licensing
  9. Toronto: additional units
  10. Home Ownership Assistance Program

Common questions

How much down payment do I need for a home in Etobicoke?
At least 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the portion up to $1.5 million, or 20% at $1.5 million or more. On a $1,500,000 home that’s $300,000. With less than 20% down you also pay mortgage insurance.
What property tax will I pay in Etobicoke?
Etobicoke is taxed at Toronto’s rate. Toronto’s 2026 residential property tax rate is 0.7673%, about $767 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value.
Can I add a rental unit to a home in Etobicoke?
Since May 2023, Toronto allows up to four units in residential zones across the city, so a house can become a duplex, triplex or fourplex, subject to building permits. Lenders can count part of the rent from a legal unit toward your income.
Who can help me get a mortgage in Etobicoke?
NorthMerit introduces you to one licensed mortgage professional who serves Toronto. They compare banks, credit unions and lenders you can only reach through a broker, and it costs you nothing.

Your next home starts with one conversation.

Tell us your plans and talk to one licensed mortgage professional. Free, with no obligation.