How First-Time Buyers Can Turn One Home Into Many

✍️ By Debbie Balfour | WBN News | June 2, 2025 | Click HERE for your FREE Subscription to WBN News and/or to be a Contributor.

What if your first home wasn’t just where you lived, but the launchpad to financial freedom? Many first-time buyers miss the opportunity to turn their homes into long-term investments. But with the right tools and mindset, that one property could unlock a lifetime of real estate wealth.

Here’s how: First, not everyone realizes that first-time buyers in Canada can purchase a home with as little as 5% down—making it more accessible than ever to get started. Combine that with the new GST rebate of up to $50,000 on new homes under $1 million, and the financial barrier to entry shrinks significantly.

Once you own the home, consider house hacking—renting out part of your property (like a basement suite or spare bedroom). This reduces your monthly expenses and helps you build equity faster.

As your home appreciates in value and you pay down your mortgage, you can tap into that equity through a HELOC or refinancing. These funds can then be used for the down payment on your next home.

Here’s the kicker: as long as the next property is going to be your principal residence, you can use the 5% down payment rule again. That’s right—you don’t need to save 20% to move forward. Once you move into the new home, your original property can be rented out, becoming your first true investment property.

This repeatable process is how many savvy Canadians build a real estate portfolio over time.

Your first home doesn’t have to be your forever home, but it can be the beginning of forever wealth. With house hacking, rebates, equity leverage, and smart financing, you can turn one small step into a giant leap toward financial independence.

Debbie Balfour | Real Estate Investing Success Coach + Podcast Host
📍 Website: www.DebbieBalfour.com
📧 Email: Debbie@DebbieBalfour.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Debbie Balfour
▶️ YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@DebbieBalfour

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