If you've been looking at homes in Oshawa and wondering what the all-in number actually looks like, you're not alone. Most buyers focus on the listing price — but what lands on your Statement of Adjustments on closing day tells a very different story. Here's an honest, current breakdown of what you'll actually spend.

Where Prices Stand Right Now

As of May 2026, the average sale price across all residential property types in Durham Region is approximately $847,728, with homes selling at 99.4% of list price — meaning most properties are going very close to asking. (Source: Durham Region Real Estate Market Report, May 2026.)

At the GTA level, TRREB's April 2026 Market Watch reported an average selling price of $1,051,969 across the GTA — down 4.9% year-over-year — but Oshawa remains one of the most affordable entry points in the region. Neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood, you're looking at a range roughly from the low $600,000s in Lakeview to over $1M in McLaughlin.

The Down Payment

Your minimum down payment depends on the purchase price:

On a $750,000 Oshawa home, the minimum down payment works out to roughly $50,000 (5% on $500K = $25,000, plus 10% on $250K = $25,000).

CMHC Mortgage Default Insurance

If your down payment is under 20% on a home priced under $1.5 million, you'll pay CMHC mortgage default insurance. The 2026 premium rates are:

On a $700,000 home with a 10% down payment ($70,000), your insured mortgage is $630,000. At 3.10%, the CMHC premium is $19,530 — rolled into your mortgage, not paid upfront, but it does increase your carrying costs every month.

Land Transfer Tax

Here's a major advantage of buying in Oshawa versus Toronto: you only pay Ontario's provincial land transfer tax. There is no additional municipal LTT in Durham Region. Toronto buyers pay both layers — which on a $1M home adds roughly $16,000 extra. (Source: powerrealestategroup.ca, March 2026.)

On an $800,000 Oshawa purchase, your Ontario LTT is approximately $12,475. First-time buyers qualify for a rebate of up to $4,000, which brings it down to roughly $8,475 out of pocket. (Source: ontario.ca — Calculating Land Transfer Tax.)

Legal Fees and Title Insurance

Budget between $1,500 and $2,500 for a real estate lawyer in Durham Region. Title insurance typically runs an additional $200–$400. This is non-negotiable — you need a lawyer to close in Ontario.

Home Inspection

A standard home inspection in Oshawa runs $400–$600. Worth every dollar on a resale home.

Other Closing Costs to Budget For

A Real Example: $750,000 Purchase with 10% Down

Let's walk through a realistic Oshawa purchase at $750,000 with a 10% down payment:

Monthly Carrying Costs

With the Bank of Canada overnight rate held at 2.25% as of April 29, 2026, five-year insured fixed rates are available as low as 3.99% and insured variable rates as low as 3.30%. (Source: Durham Region Real Estate Market Report, May 2026.)

On a $675,000 insured mortgage at 3.99% over 25 years, monthly principal and interest is roughly $3,540. Add property taxes (~$450–$550/month in Oshawa) and home insurance (~$150–$200/month) and your all-in monthly housing cost is approximately $4,200–$4,300.

The Bottom Line

Oshawa remains one of the most accessible markets in the GTA to buy into. No double land transfer tax, strong affordability relative to the rest of the region, and mortgage rates meaningfully lower than where they were 18 months ago. If you've been on the fence, the numbers right now are as buyer-friendly as they've been in years.

Questions about what you can qualify for or what closing costs look like for your specific situation? That's exactly the kind of conversation I have with buyers every week.