Buying your first home is a major milestone, and starting here in May 2025, the path to homeownership just got easier.
Thanks to a new federal incentive, eligible first-timers can now access a GST Rebate for First-Time Home Buyers of up to $50,000 when purchasing a newly built home. Whether you’re dreaming of your first cozy townhome or an expansive family home built for lifelong memories, this is an incredible, and for many, life-changing opportunity to finally start their journey of owning their very first home.
At Douglas Homes, we believe more Albertans deserve a place they’re proud to call home. And now, with this rebate in place, that goal just became even more achievable.
The Reality for Many First-Time Buyers in Alberta
We are well aware that the road to owning a home hasn’t been easy for everyone in recent years. In today’s market, many Albertans – especially first-time buyers – are feeling priced out, overwhelmed, and discouraged by rising costs of home ownership and limited options. Saving up for a down payment while covering rising rental costs, navigating interest rates, and trying to find a home can feel like an endless uphill battle.
At Douglas Homes, we see you, and we hear you. And we’re here to offer a different experience.
From our flexible home plans and quick possession options to our deep roots in value-driven design, we’re committed to making your dream of homeownership more accessible than ever.
This new federal GST rebate is a promising step forward in helping more Albertans find a place they can finally call their own – and we’re here to help guide you through every step of the way.
What Is the GST Rebate for First-Time Home Buyers?
Recently announced by the federal government of Canada, this GST rebate returns some – or even all – of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid on new construction homes by first-time-home-buyers. Depending on the purchase price of your home, you could see thousands of dollars back in your pocket with this rebate in place.
Here’s how it works:
- 100% GST rebate on new homes priced up to $1 million
- Partial rebate (e.g., 50%) for homes between $1 million and $1.5 million
- No rebate available for homes priced at or above $1.5 million
This applies to:
- New homes purchased directly from a builder (like Douglas Homes)
- Owner-built homes
- Shares in a cooperative housing corporation
For full rebate details, visit the Government of Canada website.
Do You Qualify?
To access the GST Rebate for First-Time Home Buyers, both the buyer and the home must meet certain requirements:
Buyer Eligibility:
- You’re a first-time buyer (you haven’t owned or lived in a home you or your spouse/common-law partner owned within the last four calendar years)
- At least 18 years old
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- You plan to use the home as your primary residence
Home Eligibility:
- Newly constructed home (from a builder, owner-built, or cooperative housing corporation (co-op share)
- Purchase agreement signed on or after May 27, 2025, and before 2031
- Construction must begin before the year 2031 and be substantially completed before the year 2036
How to Claim the Rebate
We’re here to help make this process simple for you and your first-time-home-buying chapter of your life. Here’s what to expect:
1. Find a Qualifying Home
Explore our collection here at Douglas Homes to get acquainted with our Quick Possession Homes and pre-sale options – many of which fall well within the rebate’s qualifications.
2. Confirm Your Eligibility
Our team of custom home-building experts will walk you through the criteria to ensure both you and your future home qualify for the rebate.
3. Enjoy Expert Support
From choosing your ideal home to closing day, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Why Buy/Build with Douglas Homes?
For over 35 years, we here at Douglas Homes have been building high-quality homes that offer exceptional quality, detailed design, and profound value, without cutting corners or compromising. We are proud to have such a positive and growing impact in Calgary and the desirable surrounding communities. Founded by Master Builder and Civil Engineer Doug Musak, our company is rooted in the belief that remarkable should always be within reach.
When you choose Douglas Homes, you benefit from:
- Award-winning craftsmanship, thoughtful layouts and detail-oriented designs
- Homes in thriving Alberta communities like Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane & Chestermere
- Quick Possession Homes that let you move in faster and make your home yours sooner
- High-quality finishes and energy-efficient features
- A team that cares deeply about your experience and satisfaction now and in the future
Own Your First Home Today
If you’ve been waiting for what feels like an eternity for the right time to step into homeownership, this is your moment.
The GST Rebate for First-Time Home Buyers is a truly life-changing opportunity for Albertans, and we here at Douglas Homes are ready to help you claim your dream home, right from the start.
Explore our available Quick Possession Homes today, start a conversation with our team to learn more, and discover how your first home could finally be more affordable than you ever imagined.
Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram to find out more about this long-awaited solution for first-time home buyers!
We look forward to making your home remarkable within reach.