ASKROSS Answers: As A First Time Home Buyer, How Do I Use My RRSP For Part Of My Down Payment?

Published: December 25, 2017 Last updated: July 12, 2022 at 23:01 pm

How Do I Get Money From My RRSP For My Down Payment?

Dear Ross,

I am buying a house next month in Toronto and I would like to use $30,000 from my RRSP towards the down payment.

I am a first time buyer, and I understand I can withdraw up to $35,000 for this purpose. How do I do this? When do I take the money out and do I have it deposited directly into my lawyer’s trust account or rather into my personal bank account first?

A first time buyer with questions about tapping into their RRSP when buying their first home comes up quite often. The process is refreshingly easy actually.

Once your offer to purchase has been accepted and all waivers are signed, you can request the funds be released from your RRSP – provided said funds have been in your RRSP for at least 3 months at that time.

It is perfectly fine to have the money deposited into your own bank account — so, not necessary to transfer to your lawyer’s trust account.

Protip: The max withdrawal you can make from an RRSP is $35,000 - so if two people are buying the home you can tap into $70,000 for your down payment! Click To Tweet

There are more ways for First Time Buyers to access government incentives and cash back, download your free guide here.

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​Ross Taylor
One of Toronto/GTA's Most Trusted and Knowledgable Mortgage Agents

Ross Taylor is recognized by his peers as one of Canada's pre-eminent difficult mortgage specialists. His ASKROSS blog and column ​ in Canadian Mortgage Trends are focused on the intersection between mortgage financing and personal credit.

With unique dual certification as a licensed credit counselor and mortgage agent, Ross's insights are valued by mortgage professionals and homebuyers alike.

If you have questions about anything financial or mortgage-related, please contact [email protected]. Ross answers everyone personally.

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