The REM has made condos near Brossard’s stations highly sought after, by renters and buyers alike. Should you rent or buy? This guide is for renters considering a first purchase and for newcomers. Rather than giving you a ready-made answer, it offers a four-step comparison method, with the official parameters already checked for Brossard (taxes, assistance programs, transportation). Last checked: October 2026.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. For a purchase decision, consult a financial planner, a mortgage broker and a notary.
At a glance
- Compare the ‘unrecoverable’ monthly cost of each option, not rent versus mortgage payment.
- Add the one-time costs of buying, including the welcome tax ($4,260.50 for a $410,000 condo in 2026).
- First-time buyers can recover up to $5,875 in transfer duties through Quebec’s 2026 credit.
- The FHSA ($8,000 a year, $40,000 lifetime) and the HBP (up to $60,000) help build a down payment.
- The shorter your time horizon (less than a few years), the more renting tends to come out ahead, because of entry and exit costs.
Step 1: the renter’s monthly cost
For the renter, the calculation is simple. Add up:
- the monthly rent (check what’s included: heating, hot water, electricity, parking, appliances);
- tenant’s home insurance;
- costs not included in the lease (indoor parking, storage, electricity).
To benchmark a rent, compare similar listings (same number of bedrooms, same distance from the station) and check CMHC data by zone, published every year.
Step 2: the owner’s ‘unrecoverable’ monthly cost
The mortgage payment isn’t entirely an expense: the portion that repays principal becomes your equity. To compare fairly, add up only what you won’t get back:
| Item | Where to find the figure |
|---|---|
| Mortgage interest | Your lender’s amortization schedule (interest portion for the first year) |
| Municipal taxes | Taxable value ÷ 100 × category rate (see our calculator) |
| School tax | $0.07899 per $100 of standardized assessment in 2026-2027, after a $25,000 exemption |
| Condo fees | Syndicate budget and the unit’s information sheet |
| Condo owner’s insurance | Quote from your insurer |
| Maintenance and private-portion repairs | Your own annual estimate, divided by 12 |
| Opportunity cost of the down payment | Down payment × return you would get by investing it |
Then compare this total with the renter’s monthly cost from Step 1. If the owner’s unrecoverable cost is clearly higher than the rent for a comparable unit, buying is only justified by expected appreciation or by non-financial reasons (stability, freedom to renovate).
Example of a verified parameter: municipal tax
In 2026, Brossard applies $0.4779 per $100 of assessment to the ‘1 dwelling’ category. For illustration only, a unit in this category assessed at $410,000 would pay 410,000 ÷ 100 × 0.4779 = $1,959 in general tax, plus fixed charges. Confirm the category and taxable value of the unit you’re considering on its tax bill, and run the numbers with our property tax calculator.
Step 3: entry and exit costs
Buying involves one-time costs that should be spread over the time you plan to stay:
- transfer duties (welcome tax): at the median condo price in Brossard in Q3 2026 ($410,000), they amount to $4,260.50 under the 2026 schedule;
- notary fees, a pre-purchase inspection and, if applicable, the appraisal required by the lender (ask for quotes);
- tax adjustments with the seller and moving costs;
- on resale: any broker’s commission and mortgage prepayment penalties.
The longer you stay, the less these costs weigh each month. That’s why your time horizon is often the deciding factor. Estimate your duties with the Brossard welcome tax calculator.
Step 4: factor in home-buying assistance
| Measure | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Refundable tax credit for home ownership (Quebec, 2026) | 100% of the first $5,000 of transfer duties + 25% of the next $3,500, maximum $5,875; reduced above a $750,000 tax base |
| Non-refundable first-time home buyer credit (Quebec) | Up to $1,400 |
| FHSA (federal) | Contribution room of $8,000 a year, $40,000 lifetime limit |
| HBP (federal) | RRSP withdrawal of up to $60,000, repayable over 15 years |
For the $410,000 median condo, the $4,260.50 in duties is under $5,000: an eligible first-time buyer would recover the full amount through the Quebec credit (announcement on Québec.ca, in French). For the HBP, withdrawals made from 2026 to 2028 benefit from a deferral: repayment starts in the fifth year after the withdrawal (Canada.ca). FHSA rules are explained on Canada.ca.
The REM factor: what changes near a station
Being close to a station affects both options. For renters and owners alike, it can reduce the need for a second car. As of July 1, 2026, the All modes AB monthly pass costs $170 at the regular fare (ARTM). Compare this amount with the real cost of a car (insurance, gas, parking, maintenance): saving on a car can outweigh the gap between rent and the cost of owning. If you’re buying, also check noise, traffic and construction projects around the station. See our guides to Brossard’s REM stations and Brossard to downtown by REM.
Frequently asked questions
Is paying rent ‘throwing money away’?
No. Owners also pay unrecoverable costs (interest, taxes, condo fees, maintenance). That total is what you should compare with rent.
How long do you need to stay for buying to pay off?
There’s no universal threshold. Divide your entry and exit costs by the number of months you expect to stay and add them to the owner’s monthly cost: the break-even horizon will become clear.
Are condo fees money down the drain?
They pay for the building’s upkeep and contingency fund. Review the meeting minutes and the contingency fund study before buying, as a special assessment may be added.
Does the first-time buyer credit apply to condos?
Yes, a condo unit is an eligible dwelling, provided the other conditions are met.
Conclusion
Renting or buying near the REM comes down to comparable numbers: unrecoverable cost, entry costs and time horizon. Round out your analysis with house and condo prices in Brossard, the cost of living compared with Montreal and our guide to Brossard’s sectors. All our tools are in the Tools section.
brossard.city is an independent guide, not affiliated with the City of Brossard. Information is provided for general guidance only; check with official sources before making any decision. Spotted an error? Let us know.