Allison Cosgrove

Buying your first home in Ontario shouldn’t feel like a finance exam. Ready, Set, Close is a plain-language roadmap from an Ontario mortgage broker Allison Cosgrove (FSRA Lic: M18002611) that shows you exactly what to do—and in what order—so you can go from “where do I start?” to
keys in hand without the chaos.

Inside you’ll learn:

• How lenders really decide approvals (Capacity • Character • Collateral)

• The 90-day credit sprint that lowers your reported minimums—without living on ramen

• Down-payment strategies (FHSA, RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan, TFSA, gifts) that protect your post-move buffer

• What actually changes GDS/TDS (taxes, heat, condo fees) and how to shop homes that your budget likes

• Fixed vs variable, penalties, portability, and bridge loans—explained in human

• Self-employed paths that work (what to show, what to ignore, and how to package your bank story)

• Offers, conditions, timelines, and deposits that win without taking reckless risks

• Closing week & first-90-days checklists so move-in is boring (on purpose)

 

You’ll also get step-by-step case studies, fill-on-your-phone worksheets, and copy-paste scripts for lenders, employers, realtors, and lawyers. If you want straight answers, real examples, and a calm, Ontario-specific plan, this is your guide. Fit the home to your life, not the other way around—and close with confidence.