Buying a Home in Markham, Ontario in 2025

Markham is the GTA's tech capital and one of Canada's most multicultural cities. Here's everything you need to know about buying property in this high-demand York Region city.

Average Home Prices in Markham (2025)

Markham, part of York Region, is consistently ranked among Canada's most innovative cities and is home to the Canadian headquarters of IBM, AMD, Huawei, and dozens of other tech giants. This economic foundation supports strong property values and demand from tech workers, professionals, and immigrant families. 2025 average prices:

$1,360,000
Detached Average
$980,000
Semi-Detached Avg
$720,000
Condo/Apartment Avg
$920,000
Townhouse Avg

Markham's overall average is approximately $1,100,000 across all property types. The city is known for its newer housing stock, excellent schools (particularly in Unionville and Milliken Mills), and strong East Asian community infrastructure — driving consistent demand. Markham's real estate market has proven remarkably resilient, with strong buyer pools from the Chinese-Canadian community and tech sector workers.

Steps to Buy a Home in Markham

  1. Understand the market. Markham's high demand and limited supply — especially for detached homes near top schools — means competition remains fierce. Come prepared with financing and quick decision-making ability.
  2. Save 20% down payment. Most Markham homes exceed $1M, requiring 20% minimum. On a $1.1M home, that's $220,000 plus closing costs.
  3. Get pre-approved with a strong lender. York Region purchases over $1M require conventional mortgages (no CMHC insurance). Ensure your lender is experienced with high-value GTA properties.
  4. Hire an agent who knows Markham school zones. Many Markham buyers are purchasing specifically for access to Unionville HS, Pierre Elliott Trudeau HS, or other high-ranking schools. School zone expertise is essential.
  5. Move quickly on desirable listings. Well-priced homes in Markham's top areas receive multiple offers. Pre-inspections or bully offers may be necessary for competitive properties.
  6. Review York Region development charges. New-build purchases in Markham may have development charges that significantly add to the cost. Confirm all charges with your lawyer.
  7. Finalize financing. High-value conventional mortgages require thorough income verification. Ensure your T4s, NOAs, and employment confirmation are ready for quick submission.
  8. Close with a York Region real estate lawyer. Title insurance, LTT payment, and key handover happen on your closing day.

Best Neighbourhoods to Invest in Markham (2025)

Ontario Land Transfer Tax Calculator — Markham

First-Time Buyer Rebate: Up to $4,000 Ontario LTT rebate. No York Region or Markham municipal LTT applies.


Ontario LTT:

Total LTT Owing:

Best Banks & Lenders in Markham

RBC Royal Bank

Major presence in Markham with Chinese-language services. Strong high-value mortgage programs for Markham's premium properties.

TD Canada Trust

Extensive Markham footprint. TD's wealth management division popular with Markham's high-net-worth buyer segment.

HSBC Canada

Preferred by many East Asian buyers due to global banking relationships. Competitive mortgage rates and wealth products.

Bank of China Canada

Unique option for new immigrants with China-based assets. Can consider overseas income for mortgage qualification in some cases.

First National

Excellent for conventional mortgages over $1M. Very competitive rates in the broker channel for high-value Markham purchases.

York Region Mortgage Brokers

Local brokers with school-zone and Chinese community expertise. Essential for navigating Markham's competitive market.

Growing Your Markham Down Payment with KOHO

A 20% down payment on a Markham home means saving $220,000+. KOHO's high-interest savings account, automatic round-ups, and zero fees help you accumulate that target faster. Start saving today.

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