T
The Daily Insight

How does buying pre-construction condo work?

Author

Andrew Ramirez

Published Mar 25, 2026

When you purchase a preconstruction condo, you purchase the right to buy the property once it’s built. The builder has the right to make some amendments to the building and condo. The builder also has the right to cancel the project for a variety of reasons.

Can you get out of a pre-construction contract?

A pre-construction assignment sale is an option that can get you out of a new construction contract. If you have an assignment clause in your contract that let’s you sell the contract – you are in luck. Keep in mind, an assignment sale can be valued higher or lower than the purchase price of your new build.

Should I buy old condo or new condo?

New building condos have less total square footage than older building units. If space is important to you, older buildings make a much better option. The square footage per condo and per room is bigger than newer units, so you can add those extra furnishings and accessories to your condo décor.

What should be in a builders contract?

Standard construction contracts should have the following information and clauses: Name of contractor and contact information. Include the contractor’s license number along with phone number, email address, and company address. Name of homeowner and contact information.

Do I need a contract with my builder?

Thankfully, no! Your architect can either ‘administer’ a contract on your behalf or, alternatively, you can go it alone. However, I would at least recommend having a good set of documents to support the contract, i.e. plans/drawings and specifications, BEFORE getting quotations from builders.

Are pre-construction condos a good investment?

When you invest in a pre-construction condominium unit, your investment increases in value from the first day you purchase the condo unit and will continue to appreciate until you decide to sell your unit. This long-term investment strategy is a great way to generate a passive income.

What happens if you own a condo and the building is sold?

Once a condo is sold, it is removed from the collateral for the building’s mortgage. The condo unit is now the collateral for the condo’s mortgage. If the developer has to hand the building over to the mezzanine lender or a different investor, that will have no direct bearing on the unit’s mortgage.

Can you negotiate pre-construction condo?

The short answer, unfortunately, is no. Negotiation doesn’t really come into play when you’re buying a new condo. Condo developers generally do everything they can to avoid price reductions, with one price cut given to one buyer possibly going on to affect all future buyers and developments.

Is buying pre-construction a good idea?

One of the benefits to pre-construction condo investment is that owners can rent out their completed units to help pay down the mortgage which lowers the carrying costs. When buying a pre-construction condo, be prepared to pay carrying costs such as interim occupancy fees or “phantom fees” to the developer.

Can you negotiate pre-construction?

Yes, you can negotiate on new construction homes – you’re far better off negotiating for ‘things’ than for money off the purchase price. Even negotiating closing costs is easier than negotiating the purchase price because builders want the final price as high as possible for future appraisals in the neighborhood.

Is condo a good investment in Toronto 2019?

Is buying a condo a good investment? Absolutely. As the most affordable market type in Toronto, condos make a great investment. Although the average cost of a Toronto condo has risen quite dramatically, the Toronto condo market is still the more affordable purchase for first time homebuyers.

Is it a bad idea to buy a condo?

Buying a condo can be a great idea. Prices are often cheaper than for single-family homes, and many condos come with luxury amenities for their owners. And if you’re at a stage in your life when you don’t have the time or ability to do upkeep, a condo can provide a (literally) low-maintenance environment.

Do condos go up in value?

In general, condos appreciate in value at a slower rate than single-family homes. Even though condos generally appreciate at a slower rate than single-family homes, they’re still likely to increase in value over time.

When did I buy a pre built condo in Toronto?

The original buyer would have made a down payment for the purchase and sales agreement on the preconstruction condo before it was built about three or four years ago. For condos due to close this year, the original purchase was made around 2016 or 2017, when the economy was strong and demand for downtown city living was high.

Is there a pre construction market in Toronto?

Toronto’s pre-construction market for condos is on fire once again. Here are 10 things you need to know before falling in love with that model suite:

What should I know about buying a pre construction condo?

Buying a pre-construction condo isn’t nearly as straight-forward as buying a resale condo. Remember that the person at the sales centre works for the builder and their job is to get the best prices and conditions for the builder, not for you.

When to put down deposit on pre construction in Toronto?

While you wait for your condo to be built, you have time to budget and save money for when your mortgage kicks in three to four years later. Once you’ve put your deposit down on a pre-construction condos in Toronto, you will be given 10 days time to rethink your decision.