Can I combine an FHSA, the Home Buyers’ Plan and a family gift?

The problem families discover too late

The buyer has enough total money but sends deposits before registered funds are accessible, misses a form or mixes the gift with unexplained transfers. The mortgage lender and lawyer cannot confirm the closing trail on time.

A practical Ontario example

A buyer plans $35,000 from an FHSA, $50,000 through the HBP and $40,000 from parents. The cash total works, but the buyer must satisfy CRA rules, lender gift requirements and deposit deadlines without borrowing temporarily in a way that changes qualification.

How A, alternative/B and private routes may differ

• A insured or conventional lender: verifies every source and applies its own statement and deposit-timing requirements.
• Alternative/B lender: may accept the same registered funds and gift with different documentation, but source verification remains.
• MIC/private lender: can address a timing gap only when the cost and exit make sense; it should not replace proper withdrawal planning.

Policy boundary: Each lender and mortgage insurer sets its own borrower, guarantor, gift, debt-service and title requirements. FCAC explains consumer rights and general mortgage concepts; it does not set individual lender underwriting policy.

Questions the family should answer

• Am I eligible for both registered-plan withdrawals?
• When will each institution release funds?
• Is the gift documented and deposited?
• Do I still have enough for land-transfer tax, legal fees and adjustments?

Rajiv’s practical view

Build a closing-funds map before making the offer firm. List every source, release date, deposit already paid and remaining closing cost.