READY, SET, CLOSE: The Ontario First-Time Home Buyer’s Guide

by Allison Cosgrove

Buying your first home in Ontario shouldn’t feel like a finance exam. Ready, Set, Close
is a plain-language roadmap from an Ontario mortgage broker Allison Cosgrove (FSRA M18002611) that
shows you exactly what to do—and in what order—so you can go from “where do I start?” to
keys in hand without the chaos.
Inside you’ll
- How lenders really decide approvals (Capacity • Character • Collateral)
- The 90-day credit sprint that lowers your reported minimums—without living on ramen
- Down-payment strategies (FHSA, RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan, TFSA, gifts) that protect your
post-move buffer
- What actually changes GDS/TDS (taxes, heat, condo fees) and how to shop homes that
your budget likes
- Fixed vs variable, penalties, portability, and bridge loans—explained in human
- Self-employed paths that work (what to show, what to ignore, and how to package your
bank story)
- Offers, conditions, timelines, and deposits that win without taking reckless risks
- Closing week & first-90-days checklists so move-in is boring (on purpose)
You’ll also get step-by-step case studies, fill-on-your-phone worksheets, and copy-paste
scripts for lenders, employers, realtors, and lawyers. If you want straight answers, real examples, and a calm, Ontario-specific plan, this is your guide. Fit the home to your life, not the other way around—and close with
confidence.

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2025