Vaughan Homes and Condos for Sale North of Toronto

Woodbridge is the best-known community, with Italian-Canadian heritage, large detached homes and a lively main street. Maple is a family suburb with a GO train station and newer subdivisions. Thornhill, shared with Markham, has established neighbourhoods and good schools. Kleinburg is a rural village with estate homes and an art gallery. Concord is more industrial and commercial.

The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, linked by subway to Union Station in about 45 minutes, is the planned downtown, with dozens of condo towers. Toronto Pearson airport is a 20 to 30 minute drive, and major highways 400, 407 and 427 cross the city.

The federal prohibition on certain residential purchases by non-Canadians applies, with some exemptions, and Ontario's Non-Resident Speculation Tax can add a charge for some buyers. Land transfer tax applies at provincial level, with no extra municipal tax in Vaughan. A lawyer should confirm your eligibility before you make an offer.

Read our Canada buying guide, mortgage page and Canada market analysis for more information.

Besides land transfer tax, Vaughan buyers pay legal fees and title insurance, and new-home buyers should plan for HST, development charges that may be rolled into the price and Tarion warranty fees. For older houses in Woodbridge, check the age of the roof and the electrical panel, and confirm that any finished basement has permits. Property tax in Vaughan is lower as a percentage of value than in Toronto, though a large detached house still carries a substantial annual bill.

Condo buyers near the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre should compare the maintenance fee per square foot, read the status certificate and ask about parking and locker costs. Many towers were pre-sold years before completion, so the building's age and fee history tell you a lot. Investors should compare achievable rent against the carrying cost and consider the unit's distance from the subway entrance.

In Vaughan the cheaper entry point is a condo near the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, but maintenance fees add monthly costs, while a detached house in Woodbridge or Maple needs a bigger deposit and more upkeep. Consider the commute: the subway helps for downtown jobs, while highway access suits those working in York Region's industrial parks. Compare the cost per square foot of two or three properties in the same area before offering.

Vaughan is close to Toronto. For other markets compare Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Surrey, or return to the Canada hub.

Before making an offer, compare recent sold prices on the same street, ask about the age of the roof and furnace, and confirm what the municipality plans for nearby development, since Vaughan is growing quickly and new construction can change traffic and views.