There is no doubt the pre-construction home has a certain allure to home buyers. Everything is brand new. No one else has ever lived there. You can customize it to create your dream home. But you have to ask yourself if all of these things are maybe a little too good to be true when buying a home. If pre-construction is something you’ve been considering, here’s the 411 to help you decide if it really is for you.
What is a Pre-construction Home?
A pre-construction home is a house you buy before it is constructed. You have your choice of homes, including:
- High-rise condos
- Low-rise condos
- Detached houses
- Semi-detached houses
- Townhouses
For a condo development, you’ll be buying a home off of blueprints or a 3D computer rendering that provides a simulated walkthrough. For houses, you’re usually able to visit a model home that sits on a lot of future development. Although model homes tend to be extremely aspirational in their decor, this is a better way to get a more realistic look at what you’ll be buying.
The Benefits of Pre-construction Homes
So, what’s the big attraction of the pre-construction home? There are quite a few benefits, including:
Warranty
The warranty programs in Canada offer protection for new build homes, including things such as delays in occupancy and closing coverage, protection for your deposit, and the cost of repairs should there be issues in the construction of your home once you move in.
Value
While your home is being built, it is almost guaranteed to rise in value.
No Bidding Wars
Depending on where you’re shopping for your home, bidding wars can really knock up the price. When inventory is low, buyers are desperate, and the more attractive the home and neighbourhood, the more chance there is you could end up paying an inflated price for a resale home. When it comes to pre-construction, you’re looking at a set price. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll be paying, usually at fair market value.
Designer Home
You have the option of designing your home with plenty of upgrades available. You’ve not only got upgrades for things such as kitchen counters and flooring but can also often make structural upgrades including adjusting some floor plan options. Because you’re making all your decisions for changes during the building process, they are far more affordable than a reno or upgrade once you move in. You can make smart decisions that will increase the resale value of your home.
Lower Condo Fees
When buying pre-construction condos, the condo fees are lower in new builds than resale condos. That is because everything is new, and the management has yet to see how much it costs to operate the building or property.
Flexible Deposits and Down Payments
Although you tend to need more for a deposit or down payment for pre-construction, the payment is staggered. You have time to keep saving as there is a small amount paid upfront, and then the rest is paid on a schedule that leads up to the final closing.
Better Choices
You’ll have more choices when buying pre-construction compared to resale condos such as the floor of the unit and the location (i.e., a corner unit or a better view).
10-Day Cooling Off Period
You’ll have 10 days to “cool off” and reconsider your purchase. During this time, you can arrange for financing and also have a lawyer review the agreement. Should you change your mind or find something in the agreement you don’t like, you can get your full deposit back and walk away.
The Downside to Pre-construction Homes
As with everything, you have to take the bad with the good. Some downsides to pre-construction include:
Delays
You should always go into pre-construction with a hint of pessimism. However, with delays, you can be looking at years, not weeks or months. In general, low-rise pre-construction homes tend to see fewer delays than high-rise condos. Researching developers will help you find a trusted company with a good reputation for customer satisfaction.
Hidden Costs
New builds often don’t come with everything you need. It’s quite common for them to lack essentials like appliances, central air conditioners, indoor window coverings, fencing, decks, and outdoor landscaping. Each of these missing items can be a major added expense that can cost thousands of dollars.
Uncertain Future
In a new community, you don’t really know what you’re buying into. Who will your neighbours be? What will get built on that vacant land next door? How good will the new school system be? How will these unknowns affect your quality of life and your home’s resale value? It’s OK to take a chance on these unknowns. Just realize that you’re taking a chance.
Increased Condo Fees
Although you’ll see lower condo costs going in, you have to prepare yourself to see an increase by as much as 10% to 20% within two years. That is because within two years, the cost of running the condo is realized and increases are always required. This has to be added to your monthly budget when determining if you can afford your new condo, or you might find yourself having trouble making ends meet.
Higher Deposits
While you do get the opportunity to stagger your deposit payments, you will be paying as much as 10% to 20% overall, compared to a deposit of 5% when signing a resale agreement. In most cases, you’re looking at a 5% sales deposit up front, and then payments that can be set at four, nine and eighteen months, depending on the developer or building schedule.
Mortgage Challenges
When buying a resale home, you’ll usually be making your purchase before your locked-in rate expires. However, this can prove to be a challenge for pre-construction homes if the home completion date is extended and passes your locked-in expiry date.
Occupancy Fees
In the case of a pre-construction condo, there is a registration process required before you can legally own your unit. Although you can move into your condo during this period, you’ll be charged a monthly “occupancy fee,” which does not go towards your mortgage. This monthly fee will include your condo fees, the interest portion of the balance owing on the purchase price, and a portion of your property taxes.
Other Pre-construction Costs
Your pre-construction home also has additional fees including GST/HST. There are rebates available if the home is your primary residence depending on your province. If you intend to rent out your unit, you’ll be faced with some taxes that you won’t be too thrilled about. A good way to avoid these taxes is to live in your unit for a while before renting it out.
There are also closing costs that you don’t have when buying a resale home, such as charges for utility meter installations, fees to track your deposit payments, use of the electronic land registration system, and more. These additional fees can add up to as much as 3% on top of your purchase price.
Working with Katherine Barnett Real Estate Team and a lawyer will help you get a more realistic view of what further costs you’ll have to pay on your pre-construction home. Katherine Barnett Real Estate Team can also help you look at a variety of resale and pre-construction options so that you are certain to find your dream home.
