St. John's Real Estate Questions, Answered

Buying a home with L|S Real Estate Group moves through these steps: an initial consultation about your goals, budget, timeline and preferred neighbourhoods; mortgage pre-approval with a lender or mortgage professional; a home search with showings and honest assessments of each property; writing the offer; negotiation on price and terms; inspection and other conditions; and closing day, coordinated with your lawyer and lender. We aim to explain each step along the way and check in after closing. From accepted offer to closing, the process typically takes 30 to 60 days. See the full step-by-step buying guide.

Yes. L|S Real Estate Group regularly works with first-time buyers, and REALTORS® Lana Lesiuk and Natasha Sutherland both list first-time homebuyers as a specialty. The team explains mortgage pre-approval, down payment options, inspections and the legal paperwork in plain terms. L|S has also hosted first-time homebuyer events for newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador with the IENL Study & Stay Program and AMAL Youth & Family Center in St. John's.

In most cases, yes. A mortgage pre-approval from a lender or mortgage broker shows your borrowing limit, rough monthly payments and a realistic price range, and signals to sellers that you are a serious buyer. It normally comes before you start touring homes, right after an initial consultation about your goals and budget. L|S Real Estate Group can explain how pre-approval fits into your buying timeline.

In Canada, credit scores typically range from 300 to 900. Most lenders prefer a score of 685 or higher, though options may still exist below that depending on your income, debt levels and down payment. Lenders also weigh your employment history, debt-to-income ratio and overall financial stability, so a lender or mortgage broker can tell you where you stand.

Check your credit several months before you apply for pre-approval, so there is time to correct errors and reduce outstanding balances. It may be possible to buy a home with less-than-perfect credit: mortgage approval depends on factors such as your income, debt levels and the size of your down payment, so it helps to speak with a lender or mortgage broker early.

In most cases, first-time homebuyers in St. John's need a minimum of 5% of the purchase price as a down payment (as of 2026). The required minimum depends on the purchase price, and buyers who put down less than 20% generally need mortgage default insurance. Rules can change, so check the current details on the Government of Canada down payment page and confirm them with your lender. Budget for closing costs, legal fees and a home inspection as well.

As of 2026, closing costs typically range from about 1.5% to 3% of the purchase price. They can include legal fees (typically about $800 to $1,500 or more), title insurance if required, mortgage registration, a survey or an appraisal if one is needed, and adjustments for prepaid property taxes or utilities. A home inspection is a separate cost, typically about $600 to $1,000 or more. Inspections are not legally required in Newfoundland and Labrador, but they are strongly recommended. Amounts vary by property, so ask your lawyer and your inspector for current quotes.

The home buying process typically takes between 30 and 60 days from the time an offer is accepted to closing day. The timeline depends on financing, inspections and legal requirements.

Offers on homes in Newfoundland and Labrador commonly include conditions such as a satisfactory home inspection and mortgage financing approval, and sometimes the sale of the buyer's current home. For rural properties on private wells and septic systems, buyers often add water testing or a septic inspection. Conditions give the buyer a set period for due diligence before the deal becomes firm. L|S Real Estate Group helps you decide which conditions to include and coordinates inspections.

Yes. L|S Real Estate Group regularly helps clients who are relocating to Newfoundland from outside the province buy a home remotely. The team offers virtual consultations by phone or video, live virtual showings so you can view homes in real time from anywhere, and neighbourhood guidance to help you choose an area. During a remote purchase, L|S coordinates with your lawyer, lender and home inspector and works to align the closing date with your move.

Yes. Many L|S Real Estate Group clients are relocating to Newfoundland from other provinces, and the team provides dedicated support for remote buying and neighbourhood selection, including virtual consultations and guidance. For people new to the province, L|S has hosted first-time homebuyer events with the IENL Study & Stay Program and AMAL Youth & Family Center, and offers service in English, French, Ukrainian, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Co-founder Natasha Sutherland helped launch JCANL, and co-founder Tony Lucas created French Fridays YYT for French speakers in St. John's.

It depends on your commute, budget and lifestyle. St. John's has the widest choice of homes, from downtown row houses to newer subdivisions. Mount Pearl offers established neighbourhoods in a central location, while Paradise and Conception Bay South have many newer subdivisions. Portugal Cove–St. Philip's, Logy Bay–Middle Cove–Outer Cove and Torbay offer larger lots and coastal, small-town living. Compare them in our St. John's area communities guide.

By car, Mount Pearl is about 10–15 minutes from downtown St. John's, Logy Bay–Middle Cove–Outer Cove about 15 minutes, Paradise and Torbay about 15–20 minutes, Portugal Cove–St. Philip's about 20 minutes, and Conception Bay South about 20–35 minutes depending on the neighbourhood. Most neighbourhoods within the City of St. John's are 10–20 minutes from downtown. Actual times vary with traffic and winter weather.

The L|S Real Estate Group Builders Program is designed to support home builders in St. John's and across Newfoundland and Labrador with pricing strategy, marketing, buyer management and sales coordination for new construction projects. It works with both custom and spec builders, with support tailored to project size, timelines and sales goals, and the team recommends getting involved early in planning, when market insight can help guide pricing, floor plans, features and launch timing. Builders can contact the team to discuss their project, goals and timeline. L|S is also a member of the Canadian Home Builders' Association.

Yes. L|S can help buyers of new construction homes in St. John's and the surrounding area, whether you want a custom build or a move-in-ready new home. We can explain build timelines, help you understand the contract terms and guide you from lot selection to final walkthrough; your lawyer should review any builder contract before you sign. Where we also represent or receive compensation from a builder, we disclose it in writing before you sign. See our new construction page.

L|S Real Estate Group helps investors buy their first rental property or expand an existing portfolio in St. John's and across Newfoundland. The team works with many types of income-producing properties, including single-family rentals, multi-unit buildings and mixed-use properties, and provides data-driven advice and local market insight to support your investment goals. Your accountant or financial advisor can review the tax and financing side of any purchase.

Yes. L|S Real Estate Group works with business owners, investors and developers on commercial properties in St. John's and across Newfoundland and Labrador, including office spaces, retail units, industrial buildings and mixed-use developments. Support runs from identifying opportunities and analyzing market value to negotiating contracts and managing due diligence, whether you are buying, selling or looking for the right space for your business.