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Pre-construction condos can be an excellent investment. At the same time, there are still pros and cons to buying before shovels are in the ground that many homebuyers are unaware of today.
Pros of Buying Pre-Construction Condos
#1 Down Payment
Is it impossible to scrape together enough of a down payment to purchase a residential property in this sizzling housing market? While studies show that it is taking longer for households to put together a down payment for a home, pre-construction condos are a way for some buyers to get their foot in the door as they continue to save their down payment prior to closing, which can be a few years away.
Although you still need about 20 percent as a down payment for a condominium, you only need to pay it off over a four-year period. This is highly beneficial for middle-class families who may find themselves struggling to buy property.
#2 No Bidding Wars
Because many units are available for purchase before the project starts, you do not need to engage in cutthroat bidding wars that add obscene premiums to the asking price. This strategy has become all too familiar in the Canadian real estate market, however pre-sale condos don’t typically experience these conditions since buyers take on some level of risk in purchasing a suite that isn’t built yet. Bidding wars are much more common on the resale market.
#3 Very Little Maintenance
What is better than that brand-new shine? Be it a new kitchen appliance or a new automobile, getting something that has never been used before is great. Many Canadians don’t experience this on the resale market, but it’s a huge benefit of buying a pre-construction condominium, complete with countertops, floors and even balconies that have never been touched before.
As a result, very little maintenance is required, meaning you can save money in the short term. If you take good care of your abode, any additional maintenance costs may be far off in the future.
#4 Values Appreciate Before Moving In
Let’s say you buy a pre-construction condo suite for $500,000. Judging by part performance of the housing market, including condominiums, it is possible that your unit could be worth considerably more by the time you move in. If that is the case, you will enjoy immediate equity. Of course, the opposite may also come to pass, much like when some people bought at the top of the market just before the public health crisis really set in.
#5 Cooling Off Period
According to Section 73 of the Condominium Act, homebuyers are given a 10-day cooling-off period from the start of the agreement to purchase a pre-construction condo. So long as you provide written notice, you can get out of the contract and move on from the property if you have second thoughts.
Cons of Buying a Pre-Construction Condo
#1 Long Wait Times
Once you sign the agreement and provide the initial down payment, it could take as long as four to five years before you get the key to your new unit. If you are purchasing a condo in a 40-story building, you will need the patience of a saint because you will have a few more years to wait until everything is ready.
#2 Sales Tax
Today, there is no sales tax on a resale home. However, there is a harmonized sales tax (HST) for pre-construction buildings because these units are brand new. While you are not paying a separate amount, the HST and the HST rebate will be factored into the price. You will need to calculate the amount.
#3 Added Closing Costs
Closing costs will run between 1.5 and three percent of the purchase price of a resale home. However, for pre-construction condos, it can be more. Your real estate attorney should examine the contract and associated costs with a fine-tooth comb.