condo buying

Do You ‘Close’ on a Pre-Construction Condo? The Two Closings Every Ontario Buyer Should Know

An Ontario pre-construction condo has two closings: interim occupancy (you move in and pay occupancy fees / phantom rent) and final closing when the condo registers and title transfers. See the Condominium Act 1998 framework, occupancy-fee components, closing costs and Tarion timing.

Interim Occupancy & Occupancy Fees on Pre-Construction Condos

What are interim occupancy and occupancy fees on an Ontario pre-construction condo? A guide to the three components of the occupancy fee, its statutory basis, how long it can last, and why this money doesn't pay down principal or build equity.

Reading a Condo Status Certificate in Ontario: A Buyer’s Guide

When buying a resale condo in Ontario, the Status Certificate is the key due-diligence document. What it contains, the legal fee and timeline, why offers are conditional on lawyer review, and the red flags to watch for.

Co-op vs. Condo: What’s Really Different, and Why Co-op Financing Is So Hard

In Ontario, a co-op and a condo differ fundamentally: buying a condo gives you legal title to a unit, while buying a co-op means buying shares in a corporation plus a right to occupy — not title. Co-op transfers usually need board approval, and co-ops often carry a building-wide blanket mortgage, so most banks won't finance a single co-op unit, leaving credit unions, private lenders, or cash. Condos fall under the Condominium Act; co-ops do not.

Before You Buy Pre-Construction: What the Interim Occupancy Fee Really Is

What is the interim occupancy fee on a pre-construction condo? Its three components, why it builds no equity, and how long it lasts — a hidden cost every pre-construction buyer should understand.

New vs Resale Condo in the GTA: Which Should You Buy?

There is no universal answer—it comes down to your timeline, cash flow, and tolerance for uncertainty. A new (preconstruction) condo lets you pay the deposit in instalments, comes with Tarion's Ontario new-home warranty, and can be customized, but you take on delivery delays, interim occupancy fees,

Pre-Construction Condo Closing in Ontario: Interim Occupancy, the PDI, and Tarion Warranty Explained

The defining difference is that a pre-construction condo has two closings. First comes interim occupancy: the building is not yet registered as a condominium corporation at the land registry, but you get the keys and move in, paying a monthly "occupancy fee" (often called "phantom rent") that is not

Condo Square Footage Explained: Why the Advertised Size Is Not the Usable Space

Why does a 900 sq ft Toronto condo feel smaller than expected? Learn how builders measure floor area, what balconies count as, and how to verify a condo's real usable size before you buy.