Your Complete Windsor-Essex Home Buyer's Guide

Buying a home in Windsor-Essex County is one of life’s biggest milestones and one of its largest investments. The process doesn’t have to be stressful. NextGen Real Estate Group at Century 21 Local Home Team Realty created this guide to help you make informed, confident decisions from your first showing to closing day.

No Pressure. No Spam. Just Expert Guidance for Windsor-Essex Home Buyers

Understanding the Windsor-Essex Housing Market

The Windsor-Essex market shifts quickly. Inventory levels, interest rates, and competition can all change month to month. Our team tracks local months of inventory (MOI), price trends, and sales-to-list ratios weekly, giving buyers an edge when it comes time to write an offer.

Whether the market leans toward buyers or sellers, we’ll help you read the data, time your purchase, and negotiate with confidence.
 See the latest figures on our Market Insights page.

Define Your Needs and Goals

Before diving into listings, outline what matters most.
Consider:

Location: Which communities fit your lifestyle? Explore Windsor, LaSalle, Tecumseh, and more.

Home Type: Detached, semi-detached, condo, or new construction?

Must-Haves: Bedrooms, garage, backyard, home office.

Dealbreakers: Long commute? Small yard?

Having clear priorities saves time and keeps emotion from driving decisions.

Get Pre-Approved for Financing

A solid mortgage pre-approval shows sellers you’re serious and clarifies your price range.
Pro tip: Talk to one of our Preferred Partners for competitive rates and fast turnaround.

Also explore programs that can boost your buying power:

First-Time Home Buyer's GST Rebate

Home Buyers’ Plan (RRSP withdrawal)

First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

Ontario Land Transfer Tax Rebate

Why Work with a REALTOR®

Anyone can browse listings, but only a licensed professional protects your interests through every step.
Our team brings:

Access to off-market and builder inventory

Local knowledge of neighbourhood trends

Negotiation experience across 1,500 + transactions

Trusted referral network of inspectors, lawyers, and lenders

When you work with NextGen Real Estate Group, you get four full-time REALTORS® backed by Century 21 Local Home Team Realty - and decades of results.

Start Your Home Search

Browse Windsor homes for sale and listings across Essex County right here on our website.
Set up instant alerts for:

New Listings

New Construction Homes

Open Houses

Luxury Homes

We’ll help refine your search and schedule tours around your goals and timeline.

Start Your Buying Journey

Ready to take the next step?
Call 519-915-0222 or Contact Us to book your Buyer Consultation with the NextGen Real Estate Group.

You’ll receive:

A personalized strategy session

A copy of our Buyer’s Guide

Access to listings that match your goals and budget

Thinking about selling first? Check out our Windsor-Essex Home Seller’s Guide

Windsor-Essex Home Buyer FAQs

For most homes under $500,000, the minimum down payment is 5%.
For homes priced between $500,000 and $1 million, it’s 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the remainder.
Homes over $1 million require 20% down.
We’ll connect you with mortgage specialists who can help determine what fits your budget.

Yes. A solid pre-approval helps you understand your price range, shows sellers you’re serious, and allows you to move quickly when the right property appears. It also locks in an interest rate for 90–120 days, protecting you if rates rise during your search.

In almost all cases, no. The seller pays both the listing and buyer’s agent commissions. Your REALTOR® works solely for you, helping with property searches, negotiations, and inspections - without you owing a fee at closing.

A deposit is paid when your offer is accepted and forms part of your down payment, which is paid on closing. The deposit shows good faith to the seller and is held in trust until the transaction completes.

Typical closings take 30–60 days for resale properties, depending on financing and conditions.
New builds may take several months longer. We’ll coordinate the timeline with your lender, lawyer, and inspector to keep things running smoothly.