Condo Pro: HST rebate a catalyst for new home sales

The HST rebate has made quite a mark with purchasers who have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right time

Published Sep 04, 2026  •  3 minute read

It's still a buyer's market, and purchasers are seeing this as an opportunity to get into the market or into a larger home.

It is exciting to see traffic picking up in our new home and condominium sales offices across the Greater Toronto Area!

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The HST rebate has made quite a mark with purchasers who have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right time. Saving up to $130,000 has a significant impact on price for anyone’s budget, from first-time buyers to those who are right sizing as their circumstances in life change.

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Let’s face it: negotiating for savings up to $130,00 would not be feasible in a typical market. It took a while for the rebate to be fully understood by everyone involved, but now that it is and builders and developers can access the proper paperwork, the word is out!

Here’s hoping the governments will extend the rebate at the other end to compensate for the time it took to integrate it into our systems.

It is still a buyer’s market, and purchasers are seeing this as an opportunity to get into the market or into a larger home where they can grow their families. First-time buyers are being cautious, as this is new to them. They are taking timid steps into the market, because the HST rebate has mobilized them.

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Wherever you are in your life, if you are considering taking advantage of the rebate on a new home or condominium, here are a few things to remember:

• In addition to the HST rebate, which now applies to all buyers who qualify, check out the government help you can access. For example, visit the website of CMHC and find out about the organization’s Home Start program, which offers 30-year mortgages for first-time buyers purchasing newly built homes  Ontarians should also visit https://bit.ly/4wpj79B, which explains how the Province of Ontario is helping home buyers keep costs down.
• Perhaps you already own a home and are thinking of a condominium. Research the differences in what your Tarion warranty covers, what you actually own in a condo, how home insurance works, etc.
• If you end up buying early in the marketing cycle, learn to read a floorplan so you can visualize living in the design you are considering. Tour model houses and suites when you can and examine the floorplans they are based on. My advice is to ask your sales representative to explain anything that is not clear. Study the plans carefully and imagine yourself going about your daily routine within the spaces. Buy early and you get to choose your features and finishes, helping to make your house or condo feel like “home” the minute you walk in.
• If you are right sizing into a more compact dwelling, realize that today’s designs “live” a lot larger than most older homes. Avoid going by square footage alone. Builders and developers have found ways to maximize space by avoiding hallways and implementing linear kitchens.
• If you are doubtful about having enough room in a new house or suite, check out the multitude of multi-usage furnishings out there that can help you maximize space in a condo or compact townhome. The choices out there are amazing.
• Of course, there is always location, location, location to take into consideration. Research what’s happening in a variety of locations across the GTA. You’ll likely get a better deal in an up-and-coming area as compared to a more established neighbourhood. If you travel to and from your work, check out commute times at rush hour. We live in one of the most desirable areas in Canada, so wherever you decide, do what is right for you.

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The market has undergone tremendous challenges since COVID-19 hit us, and it has been a long time since people could count on price breaks when shopping for a house or condo.

The HST rebate has ignited things again. People understand that opportunity comes to pass, not to pause. As usual in this cyclical business, our resilience comes through, and we are adjusting to a new reality.

The sun is shining brighter than it was, and we can feel the wind has changed. I have said it and written it time and again: Buy new and buy now!

Barbara Lawlor is CEO, Partner and the driving force behind Baker Real Estate Inc.
Visit blog.bakerrealestate.com.

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