CountryWide's Guide To Homebuying
Resources to help your new dream home purchase
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. To help ensure you’ve made the best choice, we have created a homebuyer’s guide with tips, tools and useful information to make the buying process easy, and maintain your home throughout its life for years of enjoyment and value appreciation.
Before You Buy
Words to Know When Buying a New Home
Does home-buying vocabulary make your head spin? Explore our handy Homebuyer’s Glossary to learn the jargon and talk like a pro. If you’re not sure about a certain term, contact a CountryWide sales representative, a real estate agent or your real estate lawyer.Explore More
Prepare your finances for homeownership.
What Can You Afford
Determining the financial requirements of purchasing a home can be a challenge. The information that follows gives you a basic understanding of what’s needed for homeownership.Learn More
Understanding Your Mortgage
Buying a home is most people’s single largest purchase decision. That can make your mortgage intimidating, especially if you don’t understand everything about it. Read on, and we will help clarify your mortgage.Read More
Tax Credits and Rebates
It’s also a smart idea to investigate any potential tax credits and rebates commonly available when purchasing a new home. Discover some of the most likely tax breaks for which you might be eligible.Discover More
Finding The Right Home
Finding The Right Home
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Establish Your Priorities
Choosing a home is an intensely personal decision. To help you make a well-informed decision, we’ve curated 3 useful tips to guide you through the home-buying process.Read More
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Buying New Versus Resale
Why is buying new better than buying resale? How do you decide which action to take? We’ve collated some perspectives that will help you discover which option works best for you. Explore Options
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Home Ownership Types
One of your biggest decisions when looking for a home is determining which type of home ownership suits you. Click here to learn all about some of the most common ownership types that CountyWide offers in Ontario.Learn More
After Choosing Your Home Builder
After Choosing Your Home Builder
With one of the bigger new home decisions now made, you’ll start the process of building your new home, deciding on features, and choosing the fixtures and finishes that reflect your unique personality.
There are a number of actions to take to help ensure the entire process moves along smoothly and according to your life’s plan, leaving you confident in the decisions you’ve made and the future you have in store in your new home.
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Start Researching Online
Save time and gas by conducting your research online before you visit our sales centres. Discover all of our active communities, explore our exterior elevations and floor plans and determine which community best fits your needs.
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Schedule a Sales Consultation
This will give you the opportunity to meet one of our experienced sales representatives, who will be able to guide you through our master-planned community’s products, prices, and amenity offerings.
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Visualize Your Future
Walk through our model homes. Can you picture your family living there? Does the layout have the right space and flow for your lifestyle? We use only quality materials in our premium homes. Our sales representatives can explain what sets us apart.
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Drive Through the Community
Take the time to explore the exterior designs and streetscapes. If you’re not familiar with the community, check out the area and its amenities, including schools and other important facilities. Be sure to also determine your commute and the proximity to public transit and major highways.
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Know What is Included and What is Extra
We’ve been known to add extra features into our homes, and the difference in price can often be attributed to this. Before you decide to buy from someone else, make sure you’re comparing apples with apples to accurately evaluate the value you are getting.
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Purchasing Your Home
Once you are ready to purchase your home, take your deposit cheques, government-issued photo ID and your pre-qualification documents to the sales centre. Our sales representatives will prepare your purchase and sale agreement which will outline all the details, including the closing date, financing and deposit structure.
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Execution of Agreement
Once the Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) is duly executed, we will contact you to arrange for the pickup of your agreement and welcome letter.
Personalizing Your Home

Personalizing Your Home
After receiving your Agreement of Purchase and Sale, you will be invited to browse our 6500 sq. ft design studio. You’ll be able to see and touch an exceptional range of products, installations and finishes before attending a design studio seminar and your design studio appointments.
Browsing will give you and your family an opportunity to plan and finish your home to your personal style and taste. Our design consultants will be on hand to answer your questions to help prepare you to finalize your options and choices at your official design appointment.
The Building Process
The Building Process

1. The Homeowner Frame Walk
(If applicable)
Prior to the installation of drywall, our Customer Service Team will contact you to schedule your frame walk. The Homeowner frame walk is for you to meet your Site Supervisor and to see your home prior to your Pre-Delivery Inspection and closing date. The frame walk allows you to ask questions about your new home construction. It occurs after the electrical system is installed and prior to drywall. The timing of this step is for you to view any structural changes made during your Design Studio appointment.

1. The Homeowner Frame Walk
(If applicable)
Prior to the installation of drywall, our Customer Service Team will contact you to schedule your frame walk. The Homeowner frame walk is for you to meet your Site Supervisor and to see your home prior to your Pre-Delivery Inspection and closing date. The frame walk allows you to ask questions about your new home construction. It occurs after the electrical system is installed and prior to drywall. The timing of this step is for you to view any structural changes made during your Design Studio appointment.

2. The Pre-Delivery Inspection
Prior to your closing date, we will contact you to schedule your Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI). This is when you and a CountryWide Homes Representative conduct an extensive walk-through inspection of your home. It’s the first step taken to address any imperfections in your home and to give you peace of mind.
CountryWide Homes objective with the PDI is to:
- Introduce you to our Customer Service team
- Identify imperfections that need to be addressed
- Educate you about the operation and maintenance of your new home
- Review warranty procedures as specified by CountryWide Homes and the Tarion Warranty Corporation
- Ensure all upgrades purchased have been installed according to the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, including Amendments and the requisition for extras and upgrades

2. The Pre-Delivery Inspection
Prior to your closing date, we will contact you to schedule your Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI). This is when you and a CountryWide Homes Representative conduct an extensive walk-through inspection of your home. It’s the first step taken to address any imperfections in your home and to give you peace of mind.
CountryWide Homes objective with the PDI is to:
- Introduce you to our Customer Service team
- Identify imperfections that need to be addressed
- Educate you about the operation and maintenance of your new home
- Review warranty procedures as specified by CountryWide Homes and the Tarion Warranty Corporation
- Ensure all upgrades purchased have been installed according to the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, including Amendments and the requisition for extras and upgrades

3. Certificate of Completion and Possession (CCP)
Upon completion of the PDI, you will be given a copy of the inspection report and the Certificate of Completion and Possession (CCP) issued by Tarion. If any imperfections were found and noted in writing during the PDI, CountryWide Homes will schedule service to the home. CountryWide Homes will ask you to sign a Completion Form only after all items listed on the PDI are completed.

3. Certificate of Completion and Possession (CCP)
Upon completion of the PDI, you will be given a copy of the inspection report and the Certificate of Completion and Possession (CCP) issued by Tarion. If any imperfections were found and noted in writing during the PDI, CountryWide Homes will schedule service to the home. CountryWide Homes will ask you to sign a Completion Form only after all items listed on the PDI are completed.
Getting Ready To Move
Getting Ready To Move
Buying a new house is exciting. A new neighbourhood to explore, new activities and a beautiful new house are just a few of the experiences that await you. But it can also be an incredibly busy and stressful experience. Without proper planning, the moving process could cause unnecessary stress. Instead, make this occasion the first of many happy memories with the help of our handy calendar guide full of simple tips for a hassle-free move:
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30 Days Before
Make Sure To:
Set up or transfer your utilities.
Arrange for telephone service and cable TV.
Inform Canada Post of your new delivery address.
Arrange insurance for your new home.
Confirm that your mortgage broker or the bank have everything they need for the financing of your new home.
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20 Days Before
Send a change of address to:
Insurance, CBSA, CRA, etc.
Employer, doctor, dentist, etc.
Magazines, memberships and other subscriptions.
Bank accounts and credit cards.
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15 Days Before
Make sure you:
Contact your utilities and confirm that they’ve read the meters before you move in.
Transfer your car insurance and license plates if necessary.
Familiarize yourself with Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) checklist so that you’re ready for your PDI.
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7 Days Before
Make sure to:
Call to confirm that your utilities are being transferred to your new home.
Ask a lot of questions at your PDI. Get to know your new home and how it works.
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2-3 Days Before
Make sure you:
Sign all final paperwork prior to closing.
Finalize your plans for moving and finish packing. We suggest you prepare to move the day after closing so that you can get started early; picking up your new keys is often completed late in the afternoon.
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Closing Day
Closing day is the day you take legal possession of your new home, congratulations!
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Other things to consider:
Once your address changes you must update your driver’s license and vehicle permit within 6 days and your health card within 30 days.
Contact the school your children will be attending and arrange for the transfer of their records. This process usually needs to be handled well in advance, so don’t delay.
CountryWide Homes releases the keys to your home once our lawyer has advised us that your home has officially closed. Keys released include two (2) keys that opens any door into the house and one (1) garage key. The keys can be picked up at the Construction Office on the day of closing (late afternoon and no later than 5:00 p.m.). If you have any questions regarding this matter, you may contact the Agreement of Purchase & Sales Administrator at 905-907-1500 X 120.
Close to your closing date or after you have moved in to your new home, contact Canada Post at 1-866-607-6301 to have them assign you a Community Mailbox. Canada Post will leave a Delivery Notice Card on your front door indicating the Post Office where you can pick up your keys. When picking up your Community Mail Box key, remember to bring government-issued photo identification and Delivery Notice Card.
Introduction
All About Your Warranty
Introduction
Tarion is a non-profit organization that watches over the Ontario New Home Warranty Plan, which every new home in Ontario is covered by. They help new homebuyers and builders enroll for warranty coverage. Tarion is in place to ensure the highest standards of construction and development amongst Ontario’s developers.
CountryWide Homes is a member of Tarion in good standing, and our warranty coverages are in compliance with the Standards of the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. We embrace their standards and support all of our homebuyers in accordance with them. For more information on Tarion, your warranty or your rights as a homeowner visit www.tarion.com, or click through to read more details about the coverage that CountryWide Homes offers.
30-Day & Year End Warranty Process
In your first year of occupancy, you will have two (2) formal opportunities to request Warranty Service:
- Prior to the first 30 days of occupancy using the 30-Day Statutory Warranty form.
- Prior to the first (1) year of occupancy using the Year-End Statutory Warranty form.
To request Warranty service, submit your warranty request forms online by going to: https://myhome.tarion.comIn order to complete the service requests, you will need to reference your Certificate of Completion & Closing (CCP form) which was supplied during your Pre-Delivery Inspection.
Upon receipt of a service request, your CountryWide Homes’ Customer Service Coordinator will review the items, determine the priorities and will schedule service. A CountryWide Homes’ Customer Service Representative and/or a subcontractor will visit your home to address the item(s). Delays in service can occur due to weather conditions, availability of materials or availability of specialized trade persons. Should you or a service person miss a scheduled appointment, please notify your Customer Service Coordinator immediately. Please be assured that CountryWide Homes will service your home as per the Tarion Customer Service Standard for builders in Ontario.
1 Year Warranty Coverage
CountryWide Homes warrants the following for a period of one (1) year from the date of possession:
- Free from defects in workmanship and materials.
- The home is fit to live in.
- Free of major structural defects.
- Structure of home meets the Ontario Building Code Requirements.
If you are experiencing problems with any of the above items during the first year of occupancy, please submit the appropriate items via the 30-Day Statutory Warranty Form or Year-End Statutory Warranty forms which can be found on Tarion’s website at https://myhome.tarion.com
2 Year Warranty Coverage
CountryWide Homes warrants the following for a period of two (2) years from the date of possession:
- Any water penetration through the basement foundation walls;
- Defects in materials and workmanship (i.e. caulking, windows, doors) that result in water penetration into the building envelope;
- Defects in materials and workmanship in the electrical, plumbing, and heating delivery and distribution systems;
- Defects in materials and workmanship that result in the detachment, displacement, or physical deterioration of exterior cladding;
- Violations of the Ontario Building Code’s health and safety provisions;
- Major structural defects.
If you are experiencing problems with any of the above items during the first two years of occupancy, please contact your customer service coordinator promptly.
3-7 Year Warranty Coverage
CountryWide Homes warrants the following for a period of seven (7) years from the date of possession:
- Any defects in materials or workmanship that results in the failure of a load-bearing part of the home’s structure or materially and adversely affects its load-bearing function;
- Any defect in materials or workmanship that significantly and adversely affects the use of the building as a home.
Warranty coverage for any defects of this nature can be made directly to CountryWide Homes or Tarion and once your claim is received, an inspection of the issue will be conducted in order to provide information to you and to Tarion.
About Your Warranty
Introduction
All About Your Warranty
Introduction
Tarion is a non-profit organization that watches over the Ontario New Home Warranty Plan, which every new home in Ontario is covered by. They help new homebuyers and builders enroll for warranty coverage. Tarion is in place to ensure the highest standards of construction and development amongst Ontario’s developers.
CountryWide Homes is a member of Tarion in good standing, and our warranty coverages are in compliance with the Standards of the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. We embrace their standards and support all of our homebuyers in accordance with them. For more information on Tarion, your warranty or your rights as a homeowner visit www.tarion.com, or click through to read more details about the coverage that CountryWide Homes offers.
30-Day & Year End Warranty Process
In your first year of occupancy, you will have two (2) formal opportunities to request Warranty Service:
- Prior to the first 30 days of occupancy using the 30-Day Statutory Warranty form.
- Prior to the first (1) year of occupancy using the Year-End Statutory Warranty form.
To request Warranty service, submit your warranty request forms online by going to: https://myhome.tarion.comIn order to complete the service requests, you will need to reference your Certificate of Completion & Closing (CCP form) which was supplied during your Pre-Delivery Inspection.
Upon receipt of a service request, your CountryWide Homes’ Customer Service Coordinator will review the items, determine the priorities and will schedule service. A CountryWide Homes’ Customer Service Representative and/or a subcontractor will visit your home to address the item(s). Delays in service can occur due to weather conditions, availability of materials or availability of specialized trade persons. Should you or a service person miss a scheduled appointment, please notify your Customer Service Coordinator immediately. Please be assured that CountryWide Homes will service your home as per the Tarion Customer Service Standard for builders in Ontario.
1 Year Warranty Coverage
CountryWide Homes warrants the following for a period of one (1) year from the date of possession:
- Free from defects in workmanship and materials.
- The home is fit to live in.
- Free of major structural defects.
- Structure of home meets the Ontario Building Code Requirements.
If you are experiencing problems with any of the above items during the first year of occupancy, please submit the appropriate items via the 30-Day Statutory Warranty Form or Year-End Statutory Warranty forms which can be found on Tarion’s website at https://myhome.tarion.com
2 Year Warranty Coverage
CountryWide Homes warrants the following for a period of two (2) years from the date of possession:
- Any water penetration through the basement foundation walls;
- Defects in materials and workmanship (i.e. caulking, windows, doors) that result in water penetration into the building envelope;
- Defects in materials and workmanship in the electrical, plumbing, and heating delivery and distribution systems;
- Defects in materials and workmanship that result in the detachment, displacement, or physical deterioration of exterior cladding;
- Violations of the Ontario Building Code’s health and safety provisions;
- Major structural defects.
If you are experiencing problems with any of the above items during the first two years of occupancy, please contact your customer service coordinator promptly.
3-7 Year Warranty Coverage
CountryWide Homes warrants the following for a period of seven (7) years from the date of possession:
- Any defects in materials or workmanship that results in the failure of a load-bearing part of the home’s structure or materially and adversely affects its load-bearing function;
- Any defect in materials or workmanship that significantly and adversely affects the use of the building as a home.
Warranty coverage for any defects of this nature can be made directly to CountryWide Homes or Tarion and once your claim is received, an inspection of the issue will be conducted in order to provide information to you and to Tarion.
Customer Care
Customer Care
Contacting Customer Service
CountryWide Homes is committed to providing you with timely, personalized service. If you have any concerns or questions, or in the event that an emergency should occur during regular business hours, please contact your Customer Care Centre, see the Community Listing below. If you’ve sent one of our representatives an email and not had a response within 48 hours, please contact us at customercare@countrywidehomes.ca.
CountryWide Homes is committed to providing you with timely, personalized service. If you have any concerns or questions, or in the event that an emergency should occur during regular business hours, please contact your Customer Care Centre, see the Community Listing below. If you’ve sent one of our representatives an email and not had a response within 48 hours, please contact us at customercare@countrywidehomes.ca.
After-Hours Emergency Service
If you have a heating, plumbing or electrical or roofing emergency outside of normal business hours, please contact the trade number in the community listing for your area. Please note, our subcontractors have either 24-hour service or a telephone answering system that is checked periodically.
If you have a heating, plumbing or electrical or roofing emergency outside of normal business hours, please contact the trade number in the community listing for your area. Please note, our subcontractors have either 24-hour service or a telephone answering system that is checked periodically.
What Is Considered an Emergency
CountryWide Homes (in accordance with the standards of Tarion Warranty Corporation) defines an emergency as:
- Total loss of heat between September 15 and May 15
- Gas leak
- Total loss of electricity
- Total loss of water supply
- Total sewage stoppage
- Plumbing leakage that requires complete water shut-off
- Major collapse of any part of the home’s exterior or interior structure
- Major water penetration on the interior walls or ceiling
- A large pool of standing water inside the home
- Any situation where, in the opinion of Tarion, the home is uninhabitable for health or safety reasons.
CountryWide Homes (in accordance with the standards of Tarion Warranty Corporation) defines an emergency as:
- Total loss of heat between September 15 and May 15
- Gas leak
- Total loss of electricity
- Total loss of water supply
- Total sewage stoppage
- Plumbing leakage that requires complete water shut-off
- Major collapse of any part of the home’s exterior or interior structure
- Major water penetration on the interior walls or ceiling
- A large pool of standing water inside the home
- Any situation where, in the opinion of Tarion, the home is uninhabitable for health or safety reasons.
NOTE: It is important that you please allow Countrywide Homes and our tradespeople access to your home during this period.