Homeownership may feel out of reach.

Taking the first step isn’t.

You don’t need to have everything figured out.

A First Home Savings Account can help you start building your down payment now—with valuable tax advantages along the way.

A little progress now can make a big difference later
Buying your first home might not be happening today—or even next year. That doesn’t mean you have to wait to begin.

An FHSA gives eligible first-time homebuyers a practical way to start saving and investing for a future home. You can contribute up to $8,000 each year, to a $40,000 lifetime maximum. Contributions are generally tax-deductible, your savings can grow tax-free, and qualifying withdrawals for your first home are not taxed.

Every future homeowner starts somewhere. This can be your somewhere.

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5 Year Non-Redeemable

Why start with an FHSA?

Save on taxes today

Your FHSA contributions are generally deductible from your taxable income, similar to an RRSP. You can claim the deduction in the year you contribute or save it to claim in a future year.

Grow your savings tax-free

Interest and eligible investment growth earned inside your FHSA are not taxed while they remain in the account.

Withdraw tax-free for your first home

When the time comes, you can make a qualifying withdrawal toward buying or building your first home without paying tax on the funds—and you do not have to repay the withdrawal.
Make saving automatic
Choose an amount that works for your budget and set up an automatic contribution every payday or every month. You can start small, adjust it later and keep making progress without having to think about every deposit.

How an FHSA Works

You receive $8,000 of FHSA participation room in the first year you open an account. After that, you receive up to another $8,000 each year, subject to the $40,000 lifetime limit.

Unused participation room can be carried forward, up to a maximum of $8,000. This means you may be able to contribute as much as $16,000 in a future year, depending on your available room. FHSA room only begins accumulating once you open your first FHSA.

Opening the account is a first step—even when you’re not ready to contribute the maximum.

You may be eligible to open an FHSA if you:

  • are a resident of Canada;
  • are at least 18 years old; and
  • are considered a first-time homebuyer.

Generally, you are considered a first-time homebuyer when you did not live in a home that you or your spouse or common-law partner owned during the current calendar year before opening the account or during the previous four calendar years. Eligibility rules can vary depending on your circumstances, so talk with us if you are unsure.

An FHSA is the account type—not the investment itself. Depending on your goals, timeline and comfort with investment risk, your FHSA may hold options such as:

  • savings;
  • term deposits;
  • mutual funds;
  • exchange-traded funds;
  • stocks or bonds; and
  • other eligible investments.

The current WCU page appropriately explains that FHSA investment options can range from term deposits to market-based investments.

Not sure where to begin?

We’ll help you choose an approach based on when you hope to buy, how much you want to save and how comfortable you are with fluctuations in your investment value.

To make a qualifying tax-free withdrawal, you must meet the FHSA withdrawal requirements, including having a written agreement to buy or build a qualifying home in Canada and intending to make it your principal residence.

You can also use an FHSA withdrawal and the federal Home Buyers’ Plan toward the same qualifying home purchase. Unlike an FHSA withdrawal, money withdrawn from an RRSP through the Home Buyers’ Plan generally has to be repaid.

Plans change. If you do not use your FHSA for a qualifying home purchase, you may generally transfer the funds directly to an RRSP or RRIF without immediate tax consequences and without using your existing RRSP contribution room. A withdrawal made for another purpose would generally be taxable.

An FHSA’s maximum participation period generally ends at the earliest of:

  • the 15th anniversary of opening your first FHSA;
  • the end of the year you turn 71; or
  • the end of the year following your first qualifying withdrawal.
Big goals begin with small steps

You may not know exactly when you’ll buy, what your future home will look like or how much you’ll ultimately need.

You don’t need all the answers to begin.

Start building toward your future home today—and let us help you take it one step at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The $8,000 amount is your annual participation limit, not a required opening deposit. You can begin with an amount that works for you and contribute over time, provided you remain within your available participation room.

Not before you open your first FHSA. Your first $8,000 of participation room begins in the year you open the account.

Yes. You may be able to use qualifying withdrawals from both programs toward the same home purchase.

No. An eligible contribution may be deducted in the year it is made or carried forward and claimed in a future year.

Yes, but opening multiple accounts does not increase your annual or lifetime participation limits. Those limits apply across all your FHSAs combined.

Someone may give you funds to contribute, but the FHSA must be yours and only you can claim the deduction for contributions made to your account.

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Meet the Team

With personalized guidance, you gain more than just wealth; you gain the clarity, confidence, and direction to create the future you’ve always envisioned.


Each member of the Aviso Wealth team offers unique expertise to support your financial journey. Investment Specialists focus on growing and managing your assets, providing tailored strategic advice to help you build a solid foundation and achieve your investment goals. For clients with more complex financial situations, Senior Wealth Advisors deliver advanced insights and personalized strategies to navigate intricate challenges. Together, they ensure you receive the right guidance at every stage of your financial path, all committed to helping you realize your aspirations.

Jordan Rederburg

B.A. Econ, CFP®
Senior Investment Specialist
Aviso Wealth
T 306 842 9553


Darla Brenholen

WC, CEA 
Investment Specialist
Aviso Wealth
T 306 842 9569


Clarissa Welsh

BBA
Investment Specialist
Aviso Wealth
T 306 842 9556


Nik Patel

Investment Specialist
Aviso Wealth
T 306 842 9550


Tony Gill

BBA, CFP®, CIM®, CLU®, FCSI®

Senior Wealth Advisor - Aviso Wealth
Wealth Protection Specialist - Aviso Insurance Inc.


Sean Purdue

CFP®, FCSI, CIWM, CIM, CLU

Senior Wealth Advisor - Aviso Wealth
Wealth Protection Specialist - Aviso Insurance Inc.

T 306 842 9554


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Unlock the door and start your financial well-being journey

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Online brokerage services are offered through Qtrade Direct Investing. Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Aviso Wealth. Qtrade Direct Investing, Qtrade Guided Portfolios and Aviso Wealth are divisions of Aviso Financial Inc. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Unless otherwise stated, mutual funds and other securities are not insured nor guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. 


Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Aviso Wealth, a division of Aviso Financial Inc.


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