GST Rebate for First-Time Buyers: Save 5% on New Homes in Winnipeg (2025 Update)
Relief is on the way!
Are you thinking about buying a new home?
Even better—will this be your very first home?
If so, good news may be just around the corner!
What if you could save thousands—just by choosing a newly built home?
As of May 27, 2025, the Canadian government introduced the First-Time Home Buyer’s GST Rebate. This eliminates the 5% GST on new homes priced up to $1 million which is a huge savings for buyers. This rebate was introduced as an incentive to encourage more first time buyers to consider new homes and will hopefully result in some pressure being taken off the resale market. Homes valued between $1 million and $1.5 million are also eligible for a partial rebate on the GST, and homes valued over $1.5 million are not eligible for a rebate at this time.
For Winnipeg buyers, where affordability still exists (thankfully!), this new rebate isn’t just good news—it could be the difference between buying now versus waiting another year. Let’s break down what this means, who qualifies, and why it’s especially relevant right here in Manitoba.
Who Qualifies?
To tap into this rebate, you must:
Be a first-time home buyer.
Be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Use the home as your primary residence, and be the first occupant
Why Does This Matter in Manitoba?
Lowers Up Front Costs
For a $600,000 new build in Winnipeg, the typical 5% GST is $30,000. The rebate means that’s now $0 in GST — reducing closing costs and down payment requirements significantly.
Encourages New Home Construction
This rebate helps developers market new homes more attractively, especially in Winnipeg. Introducing this rebate allows new homes to be more affordable to first time buyers and will encourage some to build rather than join in on the bidding wars that are occurring in the resale sector.
Supports Local First-Time Buyers
With home prices in Winnipeg averaging around $400k–$500k, most buyers project to get the full 5% back. That’s a huge boost for families, new graduates, or newcomers looking to call Manitoba home.
Final Thoughts
Buying your first home is already a milestone—but when you can do it with thousands of dollars in savings? That’s a major win.
Whether you’ve been debating between resale or new construction, this GST rebate opens up more opportunity and eases some of the financial pressure that’s weighed on first-time buyers for years. And here in Winnipeg, where many new builds still fall below that $1 million mark, the rebate has real, practical impact.
If you’ve been sitting on the fence, now might be the perfect time to explore your options—and I’d be happy to help you navigate what this rebate means for your unique situation.
Have questions? Let’s chat about what your first home might look like—with a little extra room left in your budget.
#AgentSheyla
Sheyla Duncan
Phone: (204) 871-3228
Email: Sheyla@QueenTeam.ca