We are building this in the open. We are working on the process, rules, regulations and guidelines for co-buying and shared ownership in Ontario. What you read here is the plan as it stands, not a finished service. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, mortgage or real estate advice.
THE NUMBERS
Why buying alone is out of reach.
Three Ontario markets, side by side. Prices are from September 2026, rents from October 2025 and incomes from the 2021 Census. These are estimates to show the size of the gap, not advice.
INCOME
Income needed to buy
The household income a lender would need to see to qualify for an average-priced home with 20% down, next to the median household income today.
$144,900
Waterloo Region
Income needed to qualify. The median household income is $92,000.
$272,800
Toronto
Income needed to qualify. The median household income is $97,000.
$126,500
Ottawa
Income needed to qualify. The median household income is $102,000.
MONTHLY COST
Owning or renting
The monthly mortgage payment on an average-priced home, next to the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment. The payment covers principal and interest only.
$3,915 a month
Waterloo Region
Mortgage payment. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,832 a month.
$7,372 a month
Toronto
Mortgage payment. A two-bedroom rents for about $2,034 a month.
$3,420 a month
Ottawa
Mortgage payment. A two-bedroom rents for about $1,926 a month.
TIME TO SAVE
Years to save a deposit
How long it takes to save a 20% down payment if a household puts aside 10% of the median income, with no investment return and no change in price. Two households saving together halve the time.
18 years
Waterloo Region
On one household's savings. About 9 years if two households save together.
32 years
Toronto
On one household's savings. About 16 years if two households save together.
14 years
Ottawa
On one household's savings. About 7 years if two households save together.
BEHIND THE NUMBERS
How we worked it out
These are estimates, not advice. goodDEED coordinates. Licensed professionals give the advice.
Method
What we assumed
20% down, a 25-year amortization and a 5.14% five-year fixed rate. Qualifying income uses a 39% debt-service ratio at the 7.14% stress-test rate. Savings are 10% of the median gross household income.
Limits
What is left out
Property tax, heat, insurance, other debts, investment returns and price changes. Incomes come from the 2021 Census and are older than the prices, so the gaps shown are probably overstated. York Region and Hamilton are left out until their inputs are verified.
Sources
Where it comes from
CMHC Rental Market Report (Oct 2025), TRREB Market Watch (Sept 2026), Cornerstone Association of REALTORS (Aug 2026), CREA and the Ottawa Real Estate Board (July 2026), Statistics Canada 2021 Census, RBC mortgage rates and the OSFI qualifying rate (Oct 2026).
goodDEED Coordinates.
Licensed professionals give the advice. We do not give legal, tax, mortgage or real estate advice.
© 2026 goodDEED. All rights reserved.
goodDEED coordinates. Licensed professionals give the advice. We do not give legal, tax, mortgage or real estate advice.