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Buying a property in Québec City: where do you start?
To buy a property in Québec City, start with a mortgage pre-approval, then define your criteria with your broker. The Gagné Rheault Team then guides you through the search, the showings, the promise to purchase, the inspection and the financing, right through to the signing at the notary's office and the handing over of the keys.
By Étienne Rheault, residential real estate broker · Updated October 2, 2026What are the steps of a purchase?
- The budget. A mortgage pre-approval sets your real budget and makes your offer credible to a seller.
- The criteria. Area, type of property, number of bedrooms, acceptable renovations: we define them together to avoid unnecessary showings.
- The search and the showings. We watch for new listings that match your criteria and organize the showings.
- The promise to purchase. We analyse comparable sales, then draft an offer with the price, conditions and deadlines that protect your interests.
- The conditions. Building inspection, financing, document review: each condition has a deadline, and we track them with you.
- The signing at the notary's office. The notary examines the titles, receives the funds and has you sign the deed of sale. The keys are yours.
Do you need a contract with a broker to buy?
It is not mandatory, but it is what gives you a broker who protects your interests. In Québec, since June 2022, a broker cannot represent both the buyer and the seller in the same residential transaction, and a brokerage contract must be in writing. The broker who has a contract with the seller therefore represents the seller.
You can choose not to be represented and deal directly with the seller's broker. In that case, the broker must inform you that they represent the seller, that they cannot protect your interests and that you have the right to be represented by your own broker. They still owe you fair treatment, meaning objective information on the relevant facts.
With a brokerage contract to purchase, your broker advises you on price, negotiates for you and tracks your conditions.
What makes a good promise to purchase?
Price matters, but a seller also looks at the conditions and the deadlines. A solid offer rests on comparable sales, an up-to-date pre-approval, realistic deadlines and an occupancy date that suits the seller. In a fast market, preparation is often what makes the difference.
Which professionals are involved in a purchase?
A mortgage broker or representative for the financing, a building inspector before you waive the conditions, and a notary for the deed of sale. We put you in touch with partners chosen for their rigour.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the buyer's broker?
The remuneration of the buyer's broker is set out in your brokerage contract to purchase. In most transactions, it is paid out of the remuneration provided for in the seller's contract. We explain this point, with figures, before you sign the contract.
Do you need a mortgage pre-approval before visiting?
It is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. It confirms your budget, keeps you from visiting properties out of reach and reassures the seller when you make an offer.
Is a building inspection mandatory?
No, but it is recommended in almost every case. It takes place after the promise to purchase is accepted, within the deadline set in the offer, and can lead to a renegotiation or to withdrawing the offer if a significant problem is found.
What costs should you plan for on top of the purchase price?
The main ones are the notary's fees, the building inspection, the transfer duties (the “welcome tax”), tax adjustments and moving. Your notary and your lender will give you the exact amounts for the property in question.