Buying a Home in The Beaches
The Beaches (also called The Beach) is one of Toronto's most desirable neighbourhoods — a lakeside community stretching from Woodbine Beach to the Scarborough border along Queen Street East. Its boardwalk, sand beaches, and small-town atmosphere command a significant price premium.
The Beaches is among Toronto's priciest residential districts. Detached homes on the south side of Queen or on the streets leading to the boardwalk range from $1.8–$3.5 million. North-of-Queen detached homes sit between $1.3–$1.9 million. Semi-detached properties range from $1.1–$1.6 million. Condos are limited and typically start at $750,000.
The Beaches has historically been among Toronto's most stable markets, with strong buyer demand even during market corrections. Waterfront and near-waterfront premiums are real and persistent. Combined LTT on a $2 million Beaches property is $82,9500 — a cost that every buyer in this market must plan for.
Combined LTT Examples at Typical The Beaches Prices
| Purchase Price | Ontario LTT | Toronto MLTT | Total LTT | After FTB Rebate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | $16,475 | $16,475 | $32,9500 | $24,475 |
| $1,500,000 | $28,975 | $28,975 | $57,9500 | $49,475 |
| $2,000,000 | $41,475 | $41,475 | $82,9500 | — |
| $2,500,000 | $54,225 | $54,225 | $1008,4500 | — |
First-Time Buyer Rebates in The Beaches
As a Toronto neighbourhood, The Beaches buyers qualify for the full dual LTT rebate for first-time buyers. This is one of the most valuable programs available to new homeowners in Ontario.
- Ontario LTT Rebate: Up to $4,000 — fully offsets LTT on homes priced up to ~$368,000
- Toronto MLTT Rebate: Up to $4,475 — fully offsets MLTT on homes priced up to ~$400,000
- Total Maximum Rebate: $8,475 combined
- Eligibility: Canadian citizen or PR, 18+, principal residence within 9 months, never owned a home anywhere
The Beaches Buying Tips
The Beaches community has strong civic engagement and well-regarded schools. The neighbourhood's limited density and heritage character mean supply remains constrained. For buyers targeting this area, getting pre-approved and understanding your total closing costs — including the substantial combined LTT — is essential before entering competitive offer situations.
When preparing your offer in The Beaches, make sure your mortgage pre-approval accounts for closing costs. Combined LTT, legal fees, title insurance, and home inspection typically add 3–4% to your purchase price in total closing costs for Toronto properties.