Buying property in with a dedicated expert

Quebec City is divided into several distinct boroughs and neighbourhoods, each with its own character and price profile. The following data is based on Centris and QPAREB statistics for Q1 2025.

• Sainte-Foy-Sillery-Cap-Rouge: The most expensive borough for single-family home purchases, with an average price of CAD 683,366 in Q1 2025, approximately 36% above the city average, up 26% year-over-year (Centris/QPAREB). Home to Universite Laval, major shopping centres, and upscale residential streets. Active listings fell 45% year-over-year, making it one of the tightest markets in the city.
• La Cite-Limoilou (including Old Quebec / Vieux-Quebec): A diverse and highly sought-after borough encompassing the historic walled city, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Saint-Roch, and Limoilou. Strong demand with active listings down 35% year-over-year. Prices vary widely by sub-neighbourhood; Old Quebec commands a premium for heritage properties and views.
• Haute-Saint-Charles: The most accessible borough for single-family home buyers, with an average purchase price of CAD 438,274 in Q1 2025, up 24% year-over-year (Centris). Popular with families seeking space, green areas, and good road connections.
• Charlesbourg: A balanced choice between affordability and urban amenities. Growing condo buyer interest (+23% annual increase in online searches per Centris). Bordered by major highways and offering a mix of historic and modern housing stock.
• Beauport: A residential borough on the eastern edge of the city, offering relatively accessible purchase prices and proximity to the Montmorency Falls area.
• South Shore (Levis agglomeration): Across the St. Lawrence River, Levis offers lower entry prices than central Quebec City boroughs and is connected by ferry and highway.

1. Define your budget and obtain mortgage pre-approval: Assess your purchasing capacity with a financial institution or mortgage broker. Obtain a pre-approval letter specifying the maximum loan amount and applicable conditions.
2. Property search: Search listings on Centris.ca (the official MLS platform for Quebec brokers), DuProprio (for private sales), or through a licensed real estate broker. Attend viewings and compare properties.
3. Engage a real estate broker (optional but recommended): A buyer's broker represents your interests, assists with market analysis, and drafts the Promise to Purchase. In Quebec, the buyer's broker commission is typically paid by the seller.
4. Submit a Promise to Purchase (Promesse d'achat): Your broker drafts the OACIQ-approved form specifying the offered price, inclusions, exclusions, and conditions, typically a financing condition (10 to 21 days) and an inspection condition.
5. Negotiate and reach agreement: The seller may accept, counter-offer, or reject. Once both parties sign, the Promise to Purchase becomes a binding preliminary contract.
6. Pre-purchase inspection: A certified building inspector examines the property. If significant defects are found, the buyer may renegotiate the price, request repairs, or withdraw under the inspection condition.
7. Satisfy conditions: Obtain formal mortgage approval from your lender and review all condo documents (if applicable). Once all conditions are met or waived in writing, the sale becomes firm.
8. Choose a notary and prepare for closing: The buyer selects and pays the notary. The notary conducts a title search in the Quebec Land Registry, verifies the chain of ownership, checks for encumbrances, and prepares the deed of sale.
9. Sign the deed of sale (Acte de vente): Both parties sign before the notary. The notary disburses funds to the seller, registers the transfer of ownership in the Land Registry, and hands the keys to the buyer.
10. Pay the Welcome Tax: The municipality issues a Welcome Tax bill within 30 days of the transfer. The buyer must pay within 30 days of receiving the notice.

Foreign nationals and non-residents wishing to purchase property in Quebec City must navigate both federal restrictions and standard Canadian mortgage rules.

Federal prohibition on non-Canadian buyers: The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act came into force in January 2023 and was extended by the Government of Canada in February 2024 until January 1, 2027. This law prohibits most non-Canadian individuals and foreign commercial enterprises from purchasing residential property located within a Census Metropolitan Area or Census Agglomeration, which includes Quebec City. Exemptions exist for certain categories, including temporary residents meeting specific criteria, refugee claimants, and purchases for diplomatic or consular purposes. Buyers should verify their eligibility with a qualified Canadian lawyer before proceeding.

Mortgage access for eligible non-residents: Eligible non-residents or temporary residents who are permitted to purchase may access Canadian mortgage financing, though conditions are more restrictive than for Canadian citizens or permanent residents:

• A minimum down payment of 35% of the purchase price is typically required by Canadian lenders for non-resident buyers.
• CMHC mortgage default insurance is generally not available to non-residents, meaning the full 35% or more must be provided as equity.
• Lenders will require proof of foreign income, employment documentation, credit history (Canadian or international), and source-of-funds documentation.
• Some Canadian banks and credit unions have dedicated non-resident mortgage programmes; working with a Canadian mortgage broker experienced in cross-border transactions is strongly recommended.

Notary and legal requirements: All property transfers in Quebec must be completed before a Quebec notary, who will verify the buyer's identity and eligibility. The notary registers the deed of sale in the Quebec Land Registry.

In Quebec City, real estate professionals involved in a property purchase transaction are governed by the OACIQ (Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec), which sets mandatory standards for brokerage contracts and conduct.

Real estate broker commissions:

• Commissions in Quebec are negotiable and are not fixed by law. A common market rate is approximately 4% to 5% of the sale price, typically split equally between the listing (seller's) broker and the buyer's broker.
• Commissions are paid by the seller and are subject to GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) on the commission amount.
• The buyer's broker works under an Exclusive Brokerage Contract - Purchase, which sets out the agreed commission and the broker's obligations to the buyer.

What a buyer's broker provides:

• Market analysis and comparative property valuations to support offer pricing
• Property search and selection assistance using the Centris MLS database
• Drafting and negotiating the OACIQ-approved Promise to Purchase
• Coordination of inspection, financing, and condition removal timelines
• Liaison with the seller's broker, notary, and lender throughout the transaction

Notary fees: The buyer selects and pays the notary. Fees typically range from CAD 1,200 to CAD 2,500, covering the title search, deed of sale preparation, and registration in the Quebec Land Registry.

Private sales (DuProprio): Some sellers in Quebec City list without a broker. In this case, the buyer may still engage their own broker (paid separately) or proceed without one, though legal and contractual risks increase without professional representation.