Resources

Co-ownership, explained — so you can decide with confidence.

New to buying a home with others? Take the 1-minute fit check, then dig into the questions everyone asks.

Fit check

Is co-ownership right for you?

Four quick questions. No sign-up, nothing saved.

1. Can you comfortably buy a home on your own right now?

2. How do you feel about sharing big decisions on a home?

3. Who would you buy with?

4. What's your timeline?

FAQ

The questions everyone asks

Co-ownership means two or more people buy and own a home together, sharing the down payment, mortgage and ongoing costs. You're each on title with a defined share — so you build equity together, while a clear agreement sets out everyone's rights and responsibilities.

Plain-language glossary

Co-ownership terms, decoded

Tenancy in common

Each owner holds a separate, defined share they can sell or pass on independently — the usual structure for co-buyers who aren't a couple.

Joint tenancy

Equal ownership with right of survivorship: if one owner dies, their share passes automatically to the others.

Right of first refusal

If one owner wants to sell, the others get first chance to buy that share before it's offered to anyone else.

Reserve fund

A shared savings buffer the group builds up for repairs and emergencies — often around three months of mortgage payments.

FHSA

First Home Savings Account — a registered Canadian account where each first-time buyer can save up to $40,000 tax-free toward a home.

Shared-equity mortgage

A program (like CMHC's) that contributes part of the purchase price in exchange for a matching share of the home's future value.

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Program figures (FHSA, Home Buyers' Plan) reflect current federal rules and can change — your advisor and lawyer confirm what applies to you.