THE SCOTTIE TOOL LAB

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Better numbers.

Useful tools should calm your brain, not harvest your email address. Start anywhere. Ask me when the numbers get weird.

Buyer calculator ↓Market-change estimator ↓
BUYER LAB · LIVE CASH-TO-CLOSE CALCULATOR

Where does every dollar actually go?

Four down-payment paths with the down payment, land transfer tax, first-time buyer refund, 8% Ontario tax on mortgage insurance, legal work, title insurance, inspection, appraisal and adjustment buffer shown separately.

Adjust the planning allowances legal · inspection · appraisal · adjustments
Minimum

$64,365

Total estimated cash to have ready

CASH BREAKDOWN
Down payment
$50,000
Ontario land transfer tax
$11,475
First-time buyer refund
− $4,000
Net land transfer tax
$7,475
8% tax on mortgage insurance
$2,240
Lawyer + disbursements
$1,800
Title insurance
$400
Inspection
$550
Appraisal
$400
Adjustment buffer
$1,500
Cash beyond down payment
$14,365
FINANCED, NOT CASH
Base mortgage
$700,000
Mortgage insurance premium
$28,000 financed
Estimated mortgage after premium
$728,000

Deposit planning: roughly $37,500 in this example, credited toward the down payment - not added on top.

10%

$88,799

Total estimated cash to have ready

CASH BREAKDOWN
Down payment
$75,000
Ontario land transfer tax
$11,475
First-time buyer refund
− $4,000
Net land transfer tax
$7,475
8% tax on mortgage insurance
$1,674
Lawyer + disbursements
$1,800
Title insurance
$400
Inspection
$550
Appraisal
$400
Adjustment buffer
$1,500
Cash beyond down payment
$13,799
FINANCED, NOT CASH
Base mortgage
$675,000
Mortgage insurance premium
$20,925 financed
Estimated mortgage after premium
$695,925

Deposit planning: roughly $37,500 in this example, credited toward the down payment - not added on top.

15%

$126,053

Total estimated cash to have ready

CASH BREAKDOWN
Down payment
$112,500
Ontario land transfer tax
$11,475
First-time buyer refund
− $4,000
Net land transfer tax
$7,475
8% tax on mortgage insurance
$1,428
Lawyer + disbursements
$1,800
Title insurance
$400
Inspection
$550
Appraisal
$400
Adjustment buffer
$1,500
Cash beyond down payment
$13,553
FINANCED, NOT CASH
Base mortgage
$637,500
Mortgage insurance premium
$17,850 financed
Estimated mortgage after premium
$655,350

Deposit planning: roughly $37,500 in this example, credited toward the down payment - not added on top.

20%

$162,125

Total estimated cash to have ready

CASH BREAKDOWN
Down payment
$150,000
Ontario land transfer tax
$11,475
First-time buyer refund
− $4,000
Net land transfer tax
$7,475
8% tax on mortgage insurance
$0
Lawyer + disbursements
$1,800
Title insurance
$400
Inspection
$550
Appraisal
$400
Adjustment buffer
$1,500
Cash beyond down payment
$12,125
FINANCED, NOT CASH
Base mortgage
$600,000
Mortgage insurance premium
None
Estimated mortgage after premium
$600,000

Deposit planning: roughly $37,500 in this example, credited toward the down payment - not added on top.

Planning estimate, not a quote. The deposit amount and timing come from the offer; it is normally part of - not additional to - the down payment. Property-tax, utility and condo adjustments depend on the specific closing statement. New construction, Toronto property, well/septic work, moving, insurance and lender-specific fees can add costs not shown. Your lender and lawyer confirm the final figures. Rules checked against Canada's down-payment and mortgage-insurance guidance, CMHC premium rates, Ontario's 8% tax on taxable insurance premiums and Ontario's first-time buyer refund rules.

SELLER LAB · MARKET CHANGE ESTIMATOR

What changed since you bought?

Tell me what you paid, when you bought and what kind of home it is. I'll compare the broad market for that home type then and in the latest verified month. The exact monthly series used here begins in January 2021. It's a useful starting point. It's not your home's actual value.

FREE · NO EMAIL GATE

Run the market comparison.

Your answers stay in this browser unless you choose to open an email to me.

When did you buy?
Type of home
THE REAL NUMBER

Now let's price your actual home.

I'll use the house, the street and current SOLD comparables. This opens your email app with the details filled in. Nothing has been sent until you press Send.

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Broad market estimate, not an appraisal. The model applies the change in average sale price for a home type to the price you paid. Average prices can move because a different mix of homes sold. The model does not know your municipality, neighbourhood, lot, size, condition, upgrades, mortgage balance or selling costs. The exact monthly series available in this tool begins in January 2021. August 2026 reference values use Cornerstone's live Waterloo Region ITSO chart, retrieved September 4, 2026. The official chart calls these series Single Family and Condo. This calculator displays them as Detached and Apartment Condo. Historical inputs come from Scottie's prior KWAR, WRAR and Cornerstone series. The older KWAR reporting area and today's regional reporting footprint are not identical. Read the current Cornerstone Waterloo Region statistics and the official historical price chart.