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Buying a Condo in Kingston

Are you considering buying a condo in Kingston, Ontario? Our vibrant city nestled along the eastern shores of Lake Ontario offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities, making it an attractive destination for condo buyers. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a retiree, or an investor, Kingston's condo market offers a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets.​ Let's walk through some of the different aspects of purchasing a condominium in Kingston, ensuring you're well-prepared to make an informed decision, starting with the basics.​ 

How Is Buying a Condo Different from Buying a House?

If you've never purchased a condo and are weighing the decision between buying a condo or a traditional freehold home in Ontario, it's important to understand how the two experiences differ. Here’s a quick comparison to help clarify what you’re really buying into.

Condo Ownership

When you buy a condo, you’re purchasing the interior space of your unit. You also share ownership of common elements — things like the lobby, gym, outdoor spaces, or parking garage. A condo corporation manages the building and collects monthly condo fees to cover maintenance, repairs, and amenities. In some cases, you may also be asked to contribute to special assessments for major upgrades.

Home (Freehold) Ownership

Buying a home, on the other hand, means you own the structure and the land it sits on. You're responsible for all upkeep — inside and out. There are no shared amenities or condo rules to follow, but that also means there's no help with maintenance or repairs.

Quick Comparison

FeatureCondoHome (Freehold)
Ownership Interior unit + shared areas House + land
Monthly Fees Condo fees None (but you handle upkeep)
Maintenance Shared (common areas), you handle interior All maintenance is your responsibility
Control Subject to condo rules Full control (within bylaws)
Insurance Covers interior unit Full property coverage
Privacy Less private (shared walls) More private
Amenities Often included (gym, etc.) Not included
Resale & Appreciation Dependent on building/fees Typically higher appreciation
Financing Includes review of status certificate Straightforward


Which One’s Right for You?

Condos can be ideal for those seeking a lower-maintenance, lock-and-leave lifestyle — especially first-time buyers or downsizers. Homes offer more freedom and space, but with greater responsibility. It all comes down to your lifestyle, budget, and priorities. If you decide to go the Condo route, keep reading.

Key Considerations When Buying a Condo in Kingston

Here are some important factors to consider:

  • Location: Determine which neighbourhood aligns with your lifestyle and needs. Kingston offers diverse areas, from the bustling downtown core to   the west and east ends.​

  • Variety of Options: From waterfront high-rise buildings, the historic Annandale building, and student-focused buildings in the downtown core to low-rise complexes, townhomes, and much more, Kingston's condo market caters to a wide range of preferences and budgets.​

  • Amenities: Consider what amenities are important to you, such as parking, pool, in-suite laundry, fitness facilities, or proximity to public transportation.​

  • Price Points: As of early 2025, the median list price for condos in Kingston was approximately $329,543, with a median price per square foot of $922. These figures vary significantly based on location, size, floor, and amenities.

  • Condo Fees: Understand the monthly maintenance fees, what they cover, and how they fit into your overall budget.​ Talk to your mortgage specialist about it.

  • Reserve Fund: Once you have a conditionally accepted offer, you can review the status certificate to assess the health of the condo corporation's reserve fund, which covers major repairs and replacements.​

  • Rules and Regulations: Familiarize yourself with the condo's bylaws (included in the status certificate), especially if you have pets or plan to rent out the unit.​ 

Purchasing a condo in Kingston, Ontario, offers a blend of urban convenience and community charm. By understanding the local market, considering key factors, and working with experienced professionals like us, you can confidently navigate the process and find a condo that suits your lifestyle and investment goals.

Whether you're buying your first condo or exploring your options between a condo and a freehold home, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Lorna and I bring local expertise, market insights, and a no-pressure approach to help you make confident, informed decisions. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons, connect you with trusted professionals, and make sure no detail gets missed. Let’s find the right fit for your lifestyle — together. Contact us to talk about purchasing a home in Kingston anytime. 

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Title Insurance: Protecting Your Real Estate Investment

As real estate agents, we understand the importance of protecting your client's interests throughout home-buying. One vital aspect of this protection is title insurance. This blog post delves into title insurance, exploring its significance, benefits, and how it safeguards your real estate investment.

What is Title Insurance?

Title insurance is a form of indemnity insurance that protects against financial loss arising from defects in title to a property. When you purchase a property, you want to be certain that you are acquiring a clear and marketable title, meaning there are no legal disputes, liens, or other encumbrances that could jeopardize your ownership rights. While conducting a thorough title search during the purchase process, it uncovers impossible to guarantee that all potential issues are. This is where title insurance steps in. It provides coverage for losses due to undisclosed title defects, such as errors or omissions in public records, unknown heirs claiming ownership, forgery, fraud, or any other legal disputes that may arise.

Why is Title Insurance Important?

  • Protection against financial loss: Title insurance protects you by compensating for covered losses, legal fees, and expenses incurred in defending your title. If an unforeseen title issue arises after the purchase, the insurance policy can provide you with the necessary support and financial resources.

  • Peace of mind: Knowing that you have title insurance can provide peace of mind to buyers and lenders. It offers reassurance that you have a safety net to protect your investment even if a hidden defect in the title emerges.

  • Smooth real estate transactions: Title insurance facilitates smooth and efficient transactions. Lenders often require title insurance to protect their interests, ensuring that they have a valid and enforceable lien on the property. By addressing potential title issues upfront, title insurance helps streamline the closing process.

  • Continual coverage: Unlike other insurance policies that require ongoing premiums, title insurance is typically a one-time premium paid at closing. This means you have coverage for as long as you own the property, protecting you against future claims or losses due to title defects.

Understanding the Coverage

Title insurance policies typically provide coverage for a range of issues, such as:

  • Forgery and fraud: Protection against forged signatures on documents or fraudulently executed transfers of the property.

  • Survey and boundary issues: Coverage for survey errors or boundary disputes that could impact your ownership rights.

  • Outstanding liens and encumbrances: Safeguarding against unpaid taxes, outstanding mortgages, or other liens on the property.

  • Undisclosed heirs and claims: Protection from claims made by undisclosed or missing heirs, ex-spouses, or other parties with potential ownership rights.

  • Errors in public records: Coverage for mistakes or omissions in public records that could affect the validity of the title.

Title Insurance is a critical component of any real estate transaction. It provides protection and peace of mind, safeguarding your investment against unforeseen title defects and potential legal issues. By working with a reputable title insurance provider, you can ensure your clients have the necessary coverage to protect their interests, making their home-buying experience smoother and more secure. As real estate agents, we prioritize the protection and satisfaction of our clients. Be sure to talk to your real estate lawyer about your title insurance. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in securing your real estate dreams.

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Basic Home Buying Offer Conditions

If you are a first-time homebuyer, navigating the market and making an offer can feel a bit overwhelming. But there is great news: conditions are back. These standard conditions are built into your offer to protect you and give you peace of mind when purchasing your new home.

While the exact conditions you include can vary depending on the situation—for example, a country home or rural property will often require specific conditions regarding a well water test and possibly a pump test, and septic inspection—there are a few core basics that apply to almost every purchase.

Here is a quick breakdown of the four main conditions you should know about before making an offer:

  • Financing Conditions: Securing your mortgage approval is a crucial step. Typically, you will want to take about 5-10 days to fulfill a financing condition. Five days if you have a pre-approval, 10 days if not, but getting your REALTOR® in touch with your mortgage broker is a good idea so they can double check this for you. 

  • Inspection Conditions: You want to make sure that the house you are buying is in the best condition possible. Including an inspection condition allows a professional to evaluate the property and ensures that any existing problems are not "show stopper issues". (More on Home Inspections here.)

  • Insurance Conditions: Did you know that you need home insurance to secure a mortgage?  You have to make sure that the home is insurable, because if you cannot insure the property, you cannot get a mortgage

  • Status Certificate Review (For Condos): If you are looking at purchasing a condo in Kingston, this condition is a must. You will want to make sure you can have a lawyer look over the condo's status certificate. When a real estate lawyer reviews a status certificate, they are hunting for hidden costs, financial risks, and legal red flags. This ensures that everything is in order for the building and that there are no big, unexpected expenses coming up for the condo owners. 

Understanding this little wrap-up of standard conditions will help you feel confident, informed, and protected as you make your very first offer. If you are looking for a house and are ready to start your home buying journey, give us a call!

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Conventional vs. High-Ratio Mortgages: What’s the Difference?

When you’re getting ready to buy a home, you’ll hear the terms conventional mortgage and high-ratio mortgage pretty quickly. Here’s what they actually mean in plain language.

Conventional Mortgage

This is when you're putting at least 20% down on the home you’re buying.
With that amount of down payment, the lender doesn’t need mortgage default insurance. The approval process tends to be a little more straightforward because you already have more equity in the property.

High-Ratio Mortgage

If your down payment is less than 20%, you’re getting a high-ratio mortgage.
That just means the lender has to send your application to a mortgage default insurer for approval. It’s a normal part of the process, especially for first-time buyers.

Who Are the Insurers?

There are three mortgage insurers in Canada:

  • CMHC (the one most people know)

  • Sagen

  • Canada Guaranty

Your mortgage broker or lender decides which insurer to use depending on the file. Buyers don’t have to choose; it happens behind the scenes.

Why This Matters

Understanding the difference helps you set expectations early on — especially around budgeting and pre-approval. In Kingston and area, lots of first-time buyers go the high-ratio route, and it’s completely normal.

If you’d like a referral to a local mortgage broker who can walk you through your options, just let us know. We’re always happy to connect you with someone great.

Watch the video here:

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Real Estate Lingo: What’s FINTRAC?

Why is my realtor asking for my ID, job history, and whether I'm the head of an international organization?

FINTRAC stands for Financial Transaction Reporting and Analysis Center of Canada.

It's the Federal Government's Financial Intelligence Unit, and we as realtors are required to ask ID and ask these questions of all buyers and sellers, anyone with large sum transactions.

FINTRAC's mandate is to facilitate the detection, reporting, and deterrence of money laundering and financing of terrorist activities. So don't be surprised when your realtor asks to scan your driver's license.

Check out the FINTRAC website here.

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Common Buyers Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them

After working with so many buyers across Kingston and area—from first-timers to downsizers to families needing more space—we’ve noticed a few patterns. Most buyers make the same handful of mistakes, and the good news is that every one of them is avoidable with the right preparation.

Here’s a breakdown of the big ones we see, and what you can do differently.


1. Jumping Into the Search Before Sorting Out the Money

This is a common one. Buyers fall in love with houses online, start booking showings… and then discover the financing doesn’t line up with what they thought.

A few financial pitfalls to avoid:

a) Skipping the pre-approval
A pre-approval gives you your budget, your rate, and your confidence. Without it, you’re guessing—and that’s stressful for everyone.

b) Saving too little for the down payment
More down payment either lowers your monthly costs or increases your buying power. Both are helpful, especially in a competitive market.

c) Draining your savings completely
Don’t empty the tank. Things break, repairs pop up, and life happens. You’ll want a cushion when you move into your new place.

We’re not giving financial advice here—the right numbers come from your mortgage broker—but we can tell you that preparing early makes the rest of the process feel a whole lot easier.


2. Focusing on Décor Instead of the Bones

It’s incredibly easy to get distracted by gorgeous staging or shiny finishes… and just as easy to walk away from a perfectly good house because of terrible paint colours.

Here’s what matters most:

  • Pay attention to the structure and systems.

  • Get a home inspection.

  • Learn what flaws are manageable and what the dealbreakers are.

Cosmetic things—paint, hardware, countertops, cabinets—can all be changed. Roofs, foundations, wiring, plumbing… those are the pieces worth your attention.


3. Underestimating the Importance of Location

You can renovate a kitchen. You can add a bathroom. You can finish a basement.

You can’t move a house to a new neighbourhood.

Make sure you like where the home is: the street, the neighbourhood feel, the commute, the schools, the trails, the coffee shops—whatever matters to you. A home in the right location is almost always the better long-term choice.


4. Holding Out for the “Perfect” Home

This one comes up more often than you’d think.

When we bought our first home, we went in with the classic “forever home” mindset. A friend reminded us that we’d probably only be there five to ten years—and suddenly the right house appeared. We ended up staying for 12.

Most buyers don’t actually need a forever home; they need the right home for the next stage of life. Once you shift that mindset, great options start to show up.


Need Help Starting Your Search?

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Kingston and area, we’d be happy to walk through the process with you. From neighbourhoods to budgets to inspections and everything in between, we’re here to help you make a confident move.

Reach out anytime—we’d love to chat.

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First-Time Buyer? Here’s When to Call a REALTOR®

If your lease is ending in six to eight months and you’re starting to think about buying your first home, the best time to reach out to a REALTOR® is right now.

Connecting early makes the process far less overwhelming. A REALTOR® will share a list of trusted lenders so you can compare options and choose who you want to work with. You’ll also get support in understanding your finances—how much more you may need to save, and ways to strengthen your credit so you’re ready to qualify for a mortgage.

Your REALTOR® will set up a home search for you, giving you a chance to see what’s available and what homes are currently selling for. You can get familiar with different neighbourhoods and start to understand what you like, what you don’t, and what fits your budget.

Starting early also gives you time to build a relationship. The more your REALTOR® gets to know you and your priorities, the better they’ll be able to help you choose the right home when you’re ready to start looking in person.

Thinking about buying in six, eight, or even twelve months? Reach out now and start preparing with confidence.

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Can I Take a Photo at a Showing?

I want to buy a house, but may I record a video or take pictures of it?

The short answer is no, unless you have received the homeowner's consent, either personally or through their agent.

It can be tempting to snap photos and videos while looking for a home nowadays when everyone carries a cell phone camera in their pocket. If you have toured a lot of houses and want to keep note of which features were present in which residence, this might be extremely useful.

Additionally, if you come across a house you really like, you might want to show pictures or videos of it to your family and friends to get a second or third view. You might also want to take pictures of any places you want to remodel so you can show them to a contractor.

In any case, We strongly advise you to ask your agent. They frequently have access to a wealth of images of listed properties, and some may even offer in-depth video tours, which are more and more popular since the pandemic started. You also have access to the listing photos posted publicly.  

Ask your agent to speak with the seller first if there is anything you want to take a photo or video of.

If you have permission to take some photos and there are any restrictions you need to be aware of, the listing agent will let you know. For instance, the homeowner might not want any pictures or videos of the bedrooms where their kids sleep or specific fixtures and furnishings in the house shot.

Here are some extra factors for you to think about:

  • Remember that a property is someone else's home when you go to see it. Be cautious and considerate of their residence and privacy.

  • Avoid capturing the homeowners' personal or identifying information. This includes items like framed family portraits and certificates set up on tables and walls.

  • Do not take photos or videos of any personal items or the contents of cabinets and drawers.

  • If you are granted permission to take pictures, please remember that they are solely for your personal use and shouldn't be posted on social media or any other public platform.

To put things in perspective, if you are the one selling a house, we advise you to express any preferences or privacy concerns regarding purchasers taking photos or videos to your agent in a straightforward and concise manner. The agent will be able to follow your directions by including them in writing in all listings and marketing materials for the house and by notifying potential buyers' agents in advance of open houses and scheduled visits.

Selling your home?

You can also take preventative safety steps when getting your house ready for showings. We advise storing valuables like cash and jewellery in a safe or secured cabinet and any documents containing private information such as passports, bills, investment documents, tax returns, and medical data. You will lessen your risk by taking these measures, even if prospective buyers are typically advised not to record any personal information even if allowed to take photos, and an agent must be present during showings (unless you give special instructions that they are not required).

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How to Get a Mortgage When You’re Self-Employed

Buying a home is stressful enough, and being self-employed can make the mortgage part feel even more complicated. You’re not imagining it—major lenders do tend to look a little harder at people who work for themselves. But while it can take more paperwork and preparation, getting approved is absolutely possible with the right approach.

Here’s a simplified, friendlier version of what the process looks like, using only the facts provided.


Why It’s a Bit Trickier

Even though the pandemic led to a “Great Resignation” in parts of North America, Canada actually went the other direction. Before the pandemic, there were nearly 2.9 million self-employed Canadians. Today, it’s a little over 2.6 million, with many people shifting back into full-time employment across various industries—including professional and technical services.

For those who are still self-employed, the work is rewarding, but gathering credit and applying for loans (including mortgages) can feel like an uphill climb. Lenders simply want to see proof that your income is steady enough to handle regular mortgage payments and pass the stress test.

Here’s how to improve your chances.


7 Ways to Make Mortgage Approval Easier When You’re Self-Employed

1. Show Your Self-Employment Track Record

If you’ve been self-employed for fewer than two years, it’s harder to prove income stability. More than two years gives you a strong track record and makes things much easier for lenders to assess.


2. Provide Income Tax Assessments

Your Notices of Assessment from the CRA for the last few years are some of the strongest documents you can provide. They confirm exactly how much you’ve earned and show lenders that your income can support something like a $500,000 mortgage.


3. Be Ready With Extra Documentation

Self-employed buyers are often asked for more paperwork. It’s normal.
Common requests include:

  • Bank statements

  • A list of assets (savings and investments)

  • A list of debts and monthly payments

  • Other sources of income

  • Proof of employment status (business licences, client referrals, reference letters)

The more organized you are, the smoother the process.


4. Reduce Your Debt

Lenders scrutinize debt more heavily for self-employed applicants. Paying down things like car loans, credit cards, or student loans can make a noticeable difference.
It’s not always easy—especially with inflation, rising costs of living, and higher interest rates—but it does help your approval odds.


5. Improve Your Credit Score

A higher score makes you look more “creditworthy.”
In Canada:

  • A good credit score is 660–724 (Equifax)

  • 760+ is considered exceptional

Ways to help boost it:

  • Pay bills on time

  • Don’t cancel credit cards

  • Maintain a mix of credit types

  • Check your credit report for errors

  • Pay off old debts

  • Avoid unnecessary spending


6. Save a Stronger Down Payment

Minimums in Canada:

  • 5% for homes under $500,000

  • 5% on the first $500,000 + 10% on the rest for homes over that amount

A larger down payment helps strengthen your application—but don’t use every dollar you have. Lenders want to see that you still have a rainy-day fund.


7. Keep Cash Reserves

Beyond the down payment, lenders want to see that you can cover mortgage payments if something unexpected happens—illness, job loss, slow business months, etc. Cash reserves show stability.


The Bottom Line

Yes, getting a mortgage while self-employed can take more work. But it’s far from impossible. With the right documents, the right preparation, and the right lender, many self-employed Canadians qualify for mortgages every year—some for 25-year terms.

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What's a Real Estate Deposit?

If you're a first-time buyer, you may have questions about deposits. Let's go over them and get you in the know!

What is a real estate deposit?

The Buyer pays a real estate deposit upon an accepted Agreement of Purchase and Sale (offer) for a property. The deposit is to provide security to the Seller in the act of good faith that the Buyer has a financial stake in the agreement.

When do I pay the deposit?

There are 3 options:

  • Herewith - the deposit is submitted with the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. If the offer is accepted by the seller(s), the cheque or bank draft is deposited. If not, you can simply return to your bank and redeposit the funds back to your account.

  • Upon Acceptance (most common) - the deposit is due within 24 hours of the offer being accepted. 

  • As otherwise described in this Agreement - sometimes buyers pay several deposits. For example: a portion upon acceptance, and a portion after conditions are fulfilled or waived.

These terms will be described in the Schedule A of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Generally in the Kingston area the deposit is due Upon Acceptance - i.e. within 24 hours of your offer being accepted by the seller.

How can I pay my deposit?

You can pay via bank draft, money order, certified cheque, wire transfer, or sometimes several e-transfers (limit is often $3000 on e-transfers and you can expect the deposit to be more than this). The specific instructions will be provided by the listing (seller's) brokerage.

How much is the deposit?

This is often described in the listing, which your REALTOR® can access. In the Kingston area, up until recently, a $5000 deposit was the norm. In the past year we have seen more buyers in breach of contract (unable or unwilling to complete a property purchase) so you can expect this to be closer to 4 or 5% of the purchase price. The higher the deposit, the better the sign of good faith in the seller’s eyes.

What happens I’m late paying the deposit?

The seller has the right to cancel the deal, and you are in breach of the agreement. Time limits are extremely important in real estate and if you are late, even by a few minutes, the seller can try to cancel. When you seriously start searching for a property, it’s important to have your deposit funds readily available.
Misconception: There is a misconception that the agreement is not firm and binding until the deposit is paid, but this is not true. If you do not deliver the deposit, you are in breach of agreement, and a seller is entitled to seek damages.

Where does my deposit go?

Deposits are generally held in the listing (seller) brokerage’s Real Estate Trust Account. The funds remain in trust until closing. If interest is payable, this must be stated in the agreement. Deposits held in Real Estate Trust Accounts are insured up to $100,000.

Is my deposit refundable?

When there are conditions in an Agreement of Purchase and Sale that are not satisfied, a real estate deposit is returned to the buyer. An example of this is if you've made an offer with a Financing Condition and the bank refuses your application during the conditional period. If you are unable to proceed with the purchase because the condition cannot be met, the buyer and seller both sign a Mutual Release during the conditional period. It's important to discuss conditions in your offer with your REALTOR®.

What happens to my deposit at closing?

Your deposit is applied to the property’s purchase price at closing. To find out what other costs are involved at closing, check out our Closing Costs blog.

Please note: this blog post is not intended to replace advice of a solicitor.

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Closing Costs

When we bought our first house, many of our friends were doing the same. Thankfully, they warned us to hold back a chunk of money for "closing costs". It's tempting to put as much into your mortgage down payment as possible, but you definitely need to keep some back for closing costs. So what are "closing costs" and how much are they? They are the costs to be paid at completion of a real estate sale on top of a down payment (and mortgage insurance if your down payment is less than 20%). These are not including things like home insurance, home inspections, or other details that are paid earlier and to other vendors. Let's break them down for you:

Land Transfer Tax

This is the big one. When you buy land or an interest in land in Ontario, you pay Ontario's land transfer tax. This tax is usually based on the amount paid for the land, plus the amount remaining on any mortgage or debt assumed as part of the arrangement to buy the land. Ratehub has a great Land Transfer Tax calculator. Make sure you put the area where you are buying, since Toronto has a municipal land transfer tax as well. If you are a first‑time homebuyer, you may be eligible for a refund of all or part of the land transfer tax. Kingston area examples:

  • $350,000 home: $3,725 - First-time homebuyer rebate: $3,725

  • $500,000 home: $6,475 - First-time homebuyer rebate: $4,000

  • $850,000 home: $13,475 - First-time homebuyer rebate: $4,000

Legal Fees & Disbursements

Legal fees vary, but expect them to be $700-$1000 +HST. Disbursements are the out of pocket expenses every lawyer incurs to close your transaction, including search costs, registration costs for transfer and mortgage, etc. The disbursements vary with each property but may be around $300-$500.

Title Insurance

Most lenders require title insurance to protect against losses in the event of a property ownership dispute. Title Insurance costs around $100-$300 for homes under $400,000 but increases significantly after that. For more information on Title Insurance and all it covers and does not, visit the Financial Services Commission of Ontario website.

Adjustments

The amount of money due on closing will be “adjusted” to reflect the expenses of the property that should be paid by the seller and those that should be paid by the buyer, depending on the number of days of the year each party owns the property. Examples:

  • The buyer will be required to reimburse the seller if the seller has prepaid any property taxes.

  • If a home is heated by an oil furnace or there is propane tank (rurally for heating, fireplace or cooking), the seller generally fills the tank before closing and the purchaser pays the seller the cost of the full tank.

HST

HST is not applicable to the purchase price of resale homes, but it is charged on the sale of new or substantially renovated homes. If you are not sure whether a specific home has been renovated enough to incur HST, check with your accountant, lawyer, or tax professional. Also, canada.ca has great FAQs here for owner-occupied home sales and HST. If you purchase a newly constructed home, you may be eligible for an HST rebate. Check out canada.ca for more details on rebates.

Lastly, if you're shopping around and come across a "No closing costs mortgage", don't be fooled. The lender rolls your closing costs into your mortgage (increasing your mortgage) and you end up paying interest on the closing costs! Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Do you have real estate questions? Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

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Tight Seller’s Market? Consider New Construction

Frustrated Buyers Turning to New Construction

Across much of the country, real estate markets are tight and inventory levels are historically low. Some homeowners are reluctant to list because they don’t want strangers walking through their homes right now. Others have spent so much time at home that they’ve started re-evaluating how their space supports their lifestyle, leading to a “right-sizing” mindset.

With properly priced homes selling quickly, many buyers are feeling the frustration. For anyone who has some flexibility with their timeline, new construction can be a great alternative to competing in the resale market.

New construction offers something many buyers love:
a fresh, blank canvas to create their ideal home. Modern floor plans, updated mechanicals, and the ability to personalize finishes are appealing in any market—but when resale inventory is low, the draw becomes even stronger.

That said, buying new construction comes with its own set of considerations. Before jumping in, it’s important to ask a few key questions.


Questions to Ask Before Buying New Construction

1. How long will the home take to build?

  • What possible delays could impact your timeline?

  • How does the projected completion date align with selling your current home or arranging interim housing?

2. Is your completion date affected by other buyers?

  • Are timelines dependent on the sale or occupancy of other units or phases?

3. What’s included in the base price?

  • Which finishes, features, and appliances come standard?

  • What upgrades or custom add-ons will cost extra?

4. Are there condo or homeowner association fees?

  • What do they cover?

  • How might they change over time?

5. What’s happening around the development?

  • Are there future plans for roads, parking, traffic changes, or additional buildings that could affect noise, congestion, or your view?

Understanding these details helps set realistic expectations so you can decide whether new construction is the right fit for you.


Why New Construction Can Be a Smart Move

In a competitive resale market, buyers can find themselves writing multiple offers and repeatedly missing out. New construction removes a lot of that pressure. Developers in today’s climate are also offering attractive incentives, making this option even more appealing for buyers who have time to wait for a build.


Curious About New Home Developments in Kingston?

If you’re exploring new construction as an option in Kingston and area, we’re happy to chat and walk you through what’s currently available.

Book a quick call with us here.

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Kingston and Area Real Estate Blog

Kingston & Area real estate insights from local REALTORS® Lynn & Lorna. market updates, buying & selling tips, neighbourhoods, local love, and smart local advice.

This website may only be used by consumers that have a bona fide interest in the purchase, sale, or lease of real estate of the type being offered via the website. The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of the PropTx MLS®. The data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed to be accurate.