Empowering Canadian families through accessible financial programs for homebuying and secure homeownership.

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My First Condo Program

Opening Doors for
the Deserving

Our Early Housing Access Initiative gives deserving individuals, couples, and families the chance to step into ownership — with a fully financed, income-generating Starter Condo, without the need for a traditional down payment or mortgage income requirements.

Through Private Grants, Low-Interest Loans, 0% Financing, Cashbacks, and Credits, we help aspiring homebuyers cover down payment and closing costs on their first rental condo.

A Rare Opportunity for the Deserving

With as little as $7,500 towards closing costs and a strong credit score, qualified homebuyers between will get the chance to take ownership of a pre-approved condo in Ontario. These homes come with vetted tenants already in place, ensuring rental income starts immediately and equity begins building right from day one.

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Program Benefits

  • Own without the traditional down payment requirement and mortgage qualification
  • Rent typically covers up to 80% of the monthly ownership costs
  • First-year free property management
  • Seamless arrangements of all legal, financing, closing, and rental processes
  • Opportunity to grow equity and exit on own terms
  • Up to 30% partnership financing available for those with affordability crunches or financing issues – Special Approvals required
Is This Program a Good Fit?

"The process was surprisingly smooth. Everything from legal to financing was taken care of, and now I finally feel secure as a first-time homeowner in Ontario."

- James W. from Ottawa

"I never thought $8,000 would be enough to start, but this program proved me wrong. I’m now building equity instead of just paying rent every month."

- Priya D. from Brampton

"As a single mom, I thought ownership was impossible. Thanks to this program, I now own a condo, and the tenant’s rent helps cover my monthly costs."

- Maria S. from Mississauga

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NEW HOMEOWNERS

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A Fit for Those Who Are
Ready to Own

This program is for those who:
  • Feel that breaking into Canadian real estate is out of reach with their current savings but are ready for a change.
  • Don’t see themselves qualifying for homeownership soon but are determined to take that first step.
  • Want to turn small savings into $75,000+ in equity over the next few years.
  • Want to move closer to owning their dream home and eventually use the equity to secure a down payment.
  • Understand that real estate investment, when done right, is a secure, high-return way to build wealth and are ready to own a valuable asset that can change their financial future.
  • Want to avoid the risks of pre-construction deals, where many have lost money due to low values or mortgage issues.
  • Realize that while paying rent is helping their landlord build equity, this program lets them build equity for themselves through tenant-paid mortgages.
How does one Qualify?

"Clear, transparent, and supportive. No hidden surprises — just genuine help for people like me who thought they’d never qualify. I’m proud to say I own today."

- Derek H. from Scarborough

"My partner and I only had modest savings. This program gave us a chance, and today we’re condo owners with rental income helping pay the bills."

- Jonathan W. from Milton

"We were skeptical at first, but within months, we were holding the keys. It feels incredible to finally have a place to call ours and build equity."

- Fatima K. from Markham

Program Qualification and Requirements

Primary applicant must meet the eligibility criteria to apply for the program

Ages 25–45

Never owned a home in Canada

Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents

Personal Income under $180,000

Assets under $150,000 (including savings, RRSPs, TFSA, etc.)

Active bank credit card or personal line of credit

No history of bankruptcy or consumer proposal

$7,500 to $9,500 available for closing costs

Affordability between $150 to $300 per week

Strong credit history

Next Steps

"I didn’t have $100k sitting around, but they made ownership possible with clear steps and support. I finally feel like I’m investing in my own future."

- Angela B. from Hamilton

"Owning property has given me confidence I didn’t have before. The rental income makes such a difference, and I finally feel like I’m moving forward financially."

- Mandeep G. from Brampton

"I work full-time but always felt priced out. With this program, I now own a condo, and I’m already planning for the bigger home I want later"

- Ahmed R. from Toronto

Our 5-Step Process to Homeownership

1

Book the 10-Minute Eligibility Call

A Program Advisor will provide an overview, answer any questions, and perform a quick assessment to ensure basic requirements are met.

2

Online Application & ID Verification

Once eligible, the Program Advisor will schedule a 45-minute online Zoom meeting to review matched properties, prioritize preferences, and gather necessary information for mortgage and financing.

3

Application Review & Documentation

After submission, the application is reviewed by our Underwriting Team. The applicant is notified within 3–5 business days whether they've been accepted. Once accepted, it’s just a matter of waiting for the name selection.

4

Weekly Selection

Selections occur twice each week. Once selected, a Case Manager will be assigned to finalize the Purchase and Sale agreement, review the property choice, go over the numbers to ensure compliance, refer and connect with a mortgage advisor, and begin securing the necessary financing (including grants and zero-interest loans).

5

Closing and Ownership

The closing, mortgage approvals and transfer of ownership typically takes 60 days.

Frequently asked questions

"The advisors explained every detail and guided me from application to closing. I never imagined it would be this simple to officially become a homeowner."

- Sophia C. from Vaughan

"We started with only $9,300 in savings, and that was enough. Now, we’re growing equity and building a future that once felt totally out of reach."

- Daniel M. from Etobicoke

"Banks wouldn’t give me a chance, but this program did. I now own a condo with a tenant in place, and it’s building me real equity."

- Chen W. from Richmond Hill

Frequently Asked Question

We focus on rental-ready starter condos — typically one-bedroom or larger — with vetted tenants already in place and sellers willing to work with our program.

Properties are located in major growth markets across Ontario, including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, North York, Markham, Pickering, Ajax, Oshawa, London, Windsor, Niagara, Barrie, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Ottawa, and Kingston.

These homes are selected to maximize future value, giving you the opportunity to convert an initial $7,500–$9,500 into $75,000–$100,000 in equity over the next few years. That equity can then be used as the down payment on your dream home — or simply as a smart way to grow wealth through real estate.
The program primarily focuses on starter condos because they’re rental-ready, affordable, and positioned for steady growth. From time to time, we do secure opportunities for townhouses or detached homes — but they’re rare, go quickly, and are only available to selected applicants who can prioritize them when offered.

That said, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Equity growth depends on location, demographics, and market trends — not just the property type.

Keep in mind — the real advantage here isn’t the property type, but the opportunity to step into ownership and start building equity with very little savings. For many, this is the crucial first step that makes all the difference.
For this program, a strong credit history means having an Equifax credit score of at least 700 (ideally 750+), no history of bankruptcy or consumer proposal, and a track record of making payments on time. Applicants should also have a credit card or personal line of credit from a major bank and keep overall debts and liabilities at a manageable level.

If your score is between 670–699, you may still submit an application and request to see if an exception can be made. However, if your score is below 670, or if your credit cards and lines of credit are maxed out, it’s best to focus on improving your cash flow before taking on the responsibility of homeownership.

You can check your score for free at equifax.ca or borrowell.com. Both pull directly from Equifax and won’t impact your score.
Yes, you can still apply. While the program is primarily designed for aspiring first-time buyers between the ages of 25–45, we understand that life circumstances can delay homeownership. If you are over 45, you’ll need to let us know what has held you back from purchasing in the past and confirm that you are a true first-time buyer. In certain cases, our underwriting team can review your application under our exception policy.

We generally reserve about 10% of program spots for exceptions, which means opportunities for over-45 applicants are limited and highly competitive. If you’re motivated, financially prepared, and meet the rest of the requirements, it’s worth submitting an application and requesting an exception right away — these spots tend to fill quickly.
At this time, the program is only open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents. Refugee claimants, international students, and work-permit holders unfortunately do not qualify. That said, there are other ways to participate in Canadian real estate. If you are interested in owning or investing, reach out to us at help@homeahead.ca

We often work with aspiring homebuyers who fall outside the traditional pathways to ownership and explore more creative solutions for building equity and growing savings. While this particular program is not available, one of our housing specialists can guide you on potential alternatives.
Yes. Having more than the minimum requirement of $7,500–$9,500 can absolutely work in your favor. Extra savings — typically an additional $5,000–$10,000 (no more than $20,000 total) — can make a significant difference in how the program works for you.

Here's how:
- Lower financing required: More upfront funds mean less reliance on financing, which directly translates into better monthly cash-flow and easier affordability.
- Broader property options: While most starter condos fall within the program’s range, additional savings may open the door to properties slightly above the base threshold — giving you access to different locations, sizes, or layouts that better suit your needs.
-Improved financial profile: Having more savings demonstrates stronger financial readiness, which can provide peace of mind when it comes to covering closing costs, unexpected expenses, or maintaining flexibility as a new homeowner.

That said, if you have well above $20,000, this program may not be the best fit, as it’s specifically designed to help buyers who are just short of the traditional requirements. In that case, we may recommend exploring other financing paths where your larger savings can be maximized.
No. Home Ahead does not charge any fees to applicants. The only amount you are responsible for is your required contribution of $7,500 to $9,500. Of this, $500 is applied toward the down payment, and the remainder covers standard closing costs.

Typical closing costs include legal fees (such as title insurance, lawyer fees, and disbursements), mortgage registration costs, HST, and land transfer tax. These are normal expenses in any home purchase — not additional charges from Home Ahead.

In short, there are no extra fees payable to Home Ahead — your contribution is simply allocated between the down payment and the costs required to finalize the purchase.
Selections are not a lottery — they’re part of our structured process. Once you’ve completed the eligibility call and submitted a full application, your file is reviewed by our underwriting team. If you meet the requirements, your name is placed in the queue for upcoming weekly selections, which happen twice a week (Tuesdays & Fridays).

Here’s what you can expect:
- Application to selection typically takes 2–6 weeks.
- If your chances of being selected are low, or if you’re not qualified, we’ll inform you directly rather than leaving you waiting.
- If you haven’t heard back within that timeframe, we encourage you to follow up — we’ll let you know if your application is still in queue, under review, or unfortunately not approved.
Keep in mind, we only process applications that are realistically positioned to be selected, so if you’re in the system, it’s a matter of time before your turn comes.

In short: approval is not random luck — it’s about fit, readiness, and timing.
The timeline varies depending on readiness and property availability, but generally:
- Eligibility Call & Application – Within a few days, eligibility is confirmed, documents are collected, and the application is reviewed.
- Screening & Selection – Approved applicants are placed in the active queue. Selections occur twice a week, and most qualified applicants are matched within 2–6 weeks.
- Closing & Ownership – Once selected, the legal, financing, and closing process typically takes 45–60 days.

In total, most families transition to ownership within 6–10 weeks. Timelines can shift depending on demand, availability, and applicant circumstances. For those who are selected, it often feels like a rare and fortunate break into homeownership.
The property is legally yours once ownership is transferred, so in theory you could choose to occupy it. However, these condos are carefully vetted for rental desirability — strong tenant demand, reliable cash flow, and equity growth potential.

The purpose of this program is not immediate personal use, but to give first-time buyers a rare chance to build equity safely. By allowing tenants to cover the costs, your initial $7,500–$9,500 grows into $75,000–$100,000+ in just a few years. That equity can then become the down payment on a dream home you actually want to live in.

When buying a personal residence, priorities shift — size, views, amenities, design, and lifestyle become deciding factors. This program is about breaking into ownership strategically, where the numbers work in your favor. It’s the stepping stone most people never get, and that’s why it’s designed as investment-first, lifestyle-second.
No. If you are a realtor or mortgage agent, or are currently working with one, this program is not available. Home Ahead does not work with outside agents or brokers — all applications must go directly through our internal process.

For example, in a traditional purchase, if financing falls through, a buyer can lose their deposit and even face legal action from the seller. In this program, financing is secured first to protect the applicant, and no outside realtor is involved who might be motivated by a commission.

Commissions (if any) are instead directed back into Home Ahead — funding management, grants, and program support — so every dollar contributes to helping more families access homeownership opportunities.
Home Ahead is funded in ways that support the long-term sustainability of the programs — without adding costs to applicants.

Revenue comes from a combination of sources, including:

- Private grants and contributions that help fund housing initiatives
- Referral fees from vetted third-party partners
- Partnership participation in certain properties, where Home Ahead may share in the equity or financing structure

This approach ensures the programs can operate effectively while keeping the applicant’s contribution to a minimum. All resources are typically directed back into helping more families access ownership opportunities and protecting the integrity of the program.
Ready to Apply?

"I used to think property ownership was only for others. This opportunity changed my life, and I’ll always be grateful for the guidance and support."

- Emily R. from Kitchener

"I was nervous at first, but the process moved quickly. Within weeks, I was signing papers, and within months, I had keys in hand."

- Rajiv P. from Etobicoke

"This has been a complete life-changer. Instead of just paying rent, I’m building wealth. I’m already on track to save tens of thousands in equity."

- Melissa F. from London

Helping you Take the First Step Towards Homeownership

We begin with a quick pre-application call to confirm eligibility. If you qualify, your name will be entered for the weekly selection spot in the program.