What’s the minimum down payment I need to buy a house?

It depends on a few things: The price of the house. In most cases, the minimum down payment is 5% of the purchase price.  Any purchase price greater than $250,000 requires a minimum 10% down payment. . Non-residents and newcomers to Canada typically need a 35% down payment. In addition to the down payment, you also have to show that you can cover the applicable closing costs (i.e. legal fees and disbursements, appraisal and a survey certificate, where applicable). No matter how much your down payment is, at least 5% of it has to be from your own cash resources or in the form of a gift from a family member. This down payment cannot be borrowed, so your generous family member has to provide a signed letter stating that it really is a gift—not a loan. If your mortgage loan insurance is provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), you have to have the gift money in your possession before you send your application for approval.