THE QUICK ANSWER
Check the exact home, the full cost and the contract timeline. Use the selected unit’s documents rather than relying on a starting price or rendering.
- Measure the plan against how you will use each room.
- Request a written breakdown of price, deposits and adjustments.
- Have the agreement and key dates reviewed before committing.
1. The home you will use every day
Check room dimensions, storage, window placement, outdoor space and how furniture fits. Read the plan notes and included-features list. Ask which finishes are standard, what is an upgrade and whether the rendering shows features that are not included in the selected home.
2. The complete financial picture
Request the full price for the selected unit or lot, deposit schedule and estimated closing costs. Clarify parking, lockers, maintenance fees and any adjustments. Ask for incentive conditions in writing so you can compare two offers on the same basis.
3. The timeline and purchase documents
Ask about expected occupancy, completion timing and the documents governing delays or changes. Have your lawyer review the agreement and the project-specific terms before you commit. Keep your housing and financing plans flexible enough to account for the timeline in the contract.
Make the comparison useful
Put your shortlisted homes side by side under these three headings. If information is missing, ask for it. MCS will help collect the plans, pricing and project details you need for a more useful conversation with your advisers.
Make each check specific
A useful question produces a document or a clear answer. Instead of asking whether a project offers good value, request the items below for the home you are considering.
| Check | Ask for |
|---|---|
| The exact home | Selected model or suite number, dimensioned plan, orientation, included features and upgrade costs. |
| The full cost | Written unit pricing, deposit dates, parking/locker charges, estimated fees and closing adjustments. |
| The timeline | Agreement, disclosure materials, critical dates and the terms governing occupancy or closing changes. |
Use your review window properly
Ontario provides a 10-day cooling-off right for qualifying purchases of a new condominium from a developer, tied to receipt of the required agreement and disclosure documents. Ask your lawyer to confirm when your period starts and ends. Do not assume that the same right applies to every type of home.
More detail: Ontario: what to know before buying a home ↗
Save the information that matters
Keep dated copies of the price list, incentives, plan and included-features schedule. Ask for verbal promises to be confirmed in the purchase documents. If the selected home changes, repeat the cost and layout comparison.
Before deciding, identify your biggest unresolved question. It might be furniture fit, an uncapped adjustment, financing at completion or an uncertain move-in date. The MCS team will help obtain project details so you can review that question with the right adviser.
SAVE FOR YOUR SHORTLIST
Your next-step checklist
- Confirm the exact suite or lot and included features.
- Review every payment and potential closing adjustment.
- Check the contract dates and any cancellation rights with your lawyer.
- Keep written copies of incentives and pricing.
- Resolve your biggest unanswered question before committing.
Quick answers
Does a rendering show everything included in the purchase?
Not necessarily. Compare it with the selected floor plan, specifications and included-features schedule. Ask which pictured details are upgrades or illustrations.
Are occupancy and final closing the same?
They may be separate for a new condominium. Confirm the project’s interim occupancy arrangements and final closing requirements with your lawyer.
General information for planning. Confirm financing, legal and tax details with the appropriate professional for your purchase.