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First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Belleville (2026): What's Available Right Now
October 5, 2026 | Posted by: Craig Nickerson
Buying your first home in Belleville, Trenton or anywhere in the Quinte region is a big step, and the programs available to first-time buyers can make a real difference to how much you need to save and what you can afford. Here's what's available right now, in plain language.
First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
The FHSA lets you save up to $8,000 a year, to a lifetime maximum of $40,000, toward your first home. Contributions are generally tax-deductible like an RRSP, and withdrawals for a qualifying first home are tax-free like a TFSA. Unused room of up to $8,000 can carry forward to the next year, so opening an account early, even with a small deposit, gets the clock started. A couple can each have their own FHSA.
RRSP Home Buyers' Plan
First-time buyers can withdraw up to $60,000 each from their RRSPs toward a home purchase, tax-free, and repay it over 15 years. For withdrawals made from 2026 to 2028, repayments don't start until the fifth year after the first withdrawal, which gives new homeowners extra breathing room. The FHSA and the Home Buyers' Plan can be used together.
Ontario land transfer tax refund
Eligible first-time buyers in Ontario can receive a refund of up to $4,000 on the provincial land transfer tax. On a home priced up to about $368,000, that typically covers the entire tax. Your lawyer can usually apply the refund at closing.
30-year amortizations for first-time buyers
First-time buyers can now choose a 30-year amortization on an insured mortgage (less than 20% down), on both new and resale homes. Spreading payments over 30 years instead of 25 lowers the monthly payment and can help you qualify, although you'll pay more interest over the life of the mortgage.
HST rebate on new homes up to $1 million
If you're buying a newly built home from a builder, the full 13% HST may now be rebated on homes priced up to $1 million, through the combined federal and Ontario new-home rebates. On a $600,000 new build, that's a saving of up to $78,000. Homes above $1 million may qualify for a partial rebate. The rebate is usually assigned to the builder and credited against your purchase price at closing. Eligibility depends on the agreement date, the home being your principal residence and other conditions, so it's worth asking about early if you're looking at new construction in the Quinte region.
Low down payment options
• The minimum down payment is 5% on the first $500,000 of the purchase price and 10% on the portion above that, for homes up to $1.5 million.
• Down payments can often be gifted by immediate family.
• Buying from a family member can sometimes use gifted equity in place of a cash down payment.
Why local advice matters
We live, work and support causes right here in our community, and we've placed thousands of mortgages across the Quinte region. That local experience means we know Belleville, Trenton, Quinte West and the surrounding townships better than any large national bank: how homes here are valued, which properties lenders treat differently (rural homes, well and septic, older houses) and which lenders and programs fit first-time buyers in this market. A call centre can't give you that.
Your next step: get pre-approved
Before you start viewing homes, let's put the programs above together with your income, savings and credit to see what you can comfortably afford. A pre-approval gives you a clear budget and lets you make offers with confidence. Learn more on our first-time home buyers page.
Buying your first home in Belleville? Here's how I help Belleville buyers from pre-approval to closing: Belleville mortgage broker page.
Call or text Craig at 613-394-5810 or email craig@simpligomortgages.com.
Program details and limits are set by the federal and Ontario governments and can change. Eligibility rules apply to each program. Financing is subject to lender and insurer approval. Speak with your lawyer and tax advisor about your specific situation.
