Every year, thousands of Quebecers buy their first property without a guide. They discover hidden fees at the notary's office, stress test pitfalls during pre-approval, and financing mistakes that cost thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage.
This book exists because these mistakes are not inevitable. They are predictable — and avoidable — when you know the terrain.
Each chapter covers a concrete aspect of the buying process, in clear language.
Real thresholds, accepted sources, government programs (HBP, FHSA) and accumulation strategies.
How lenders assess your borrowing capacity and the GDS/TDS ratios that determine your maximum.
Welcome tax, notary fees, tax adjustments, inspection, CMHC insurance — the real purchase budget.
Why it exists, what it covers, and the situations where it actually protects you.
What happens at the notary, documents to prepare, timelines to expect and surprises to avoid.
Prepayment clause pitfalls, choosing between fixed and variable rates, and conditions to negotiate.
“You're not buying a house. You're signing a 25 to 30-year financial commitment. The difference between a good and a bad mortgage structure is tens of thousands of dollars. This book shows you how to tell the difference before you sign.”
LE CODE — Premier acheteur by Anthony King is a field guide written by an active Quebec mortgage broker. It covers down payment, pre-qualification, the notary process, and common financial pitfalls in 97 practical pages. Available on Amazon.
Essential steps include: evaluating your borrowing capacity with a mortgage broker, preparing your down payment (minimum 5% in Canada), getting a pre-qualification, understanding programs like the HBP and FHSA, and knowing the hidden fees. The guide LE CODE — Premier acheteur details each of these steps.
In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% for properties under $500,000, 10% on the portion between $500,000 and $999,999, and 20% for properties of $1 million and above. The book covers strategies and available programs to build your down payment.
The stress test is a mandatory calculation that verifies you can handle a higher interest rate than your actual rate. In 2026, the qualifying rate is the higher of your contract rate + 2% or the Bank of Canada's floor rate. This topic is covered in detail in LE CODE — Premier acheteur.
A mortgage broker compares offers from multiple lenders to find the best conditions for your situation. Their services are generally free for the buyer (compensated by the lender). Anthony King, author of LE CODE, is an AMF-certified mortgage broker in Quebec.
Three field guides. Three realities of real estate financing in Quebec.
The field manual for avoiding the financial pitfalls of real estate in Quebec.
The field manual for mortgage renewal, refinancing and transfer in Quebec.
The field manual for understanding what truly influences a mortgage recommendation in Quebec.
97 pages. No unnecessary jargon. The realities of the field, by a broker who lives them every week.
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