New Construction & HST Rebate
Buying a new home in Ottawa?Bring us in before the builder.
Buying a brand-new home or condo from a builder is a different transaction from a resale purchase, and the buyer who walks in unrepresented is the one with the least leverage. Cherry Pick Homes represents you with Ottawa-area home builders and helps you make sense of the parts that resale buyers never deal with, including the HST New Housing Rebate. The first step is simply to contact us.
01
Talk to us first
Before you walk into a builder's sales centre, talk to us. Most builders pay the buyer's agent commission, so having Cherry Pick Homes represent you usually costs you nothing, and it changes how the whole purchase goes.
02
We introduce you to the right builders
We know the active Ottawa-area home builders, their floor plans, their lots, and their reputations. We make the introductions directly, and we make sure you are registered as represented from day one.
03
Review the agreement together
Builder purchase agreements are not resale agreements. Deposits, closing structures, occupancy fees, upgrade pricing, and HST treatment all read differently. We walk through it with you before you sign.
04
Plan for the HST rebate
On a new build, HST is part of the math. We help you understand whether the rebate is already baked into your price or something you claim afterward, and we point you to the right lawyer and accountant for the exact figures.
05
Through to closing
New construction closings can move months out and shift along the way. We track the timeline, coordinate with your lawyer, and stay with you through to the keys.
The Short Version
What the HST rebate actually is
New homes in Ontario are subject to HST, unlike resale homes. The government offsets part of that with the HST New Housing Rebate, which can apply when you are buying a newly built or substantially renovated home as your primary residence.
With most builders, the rebate is already assigned to the builder and reflected in the advertised price, so the number on the sign assumes you will live in the home. If you are buying as an investment to rent out, the math is different. There is a separate rebate path for new rental properties, and it is claimed after closing rather than credited up front.
The exact amounts depend on the purchase price and how you use the property, and they change over time. We will not quote you a figure that turns out to be wrong. What we will do is flag where HST affects your deal, make sure the agreement reflects your actual intentions, and connect you with a real estate lawyer and accountant who confirm the numbers for your situation.
This is general information, not tax or legal advice. HST rebate eligibility and amounts are set by the Canada Revenue Agency and the Province of Ontario and can change. Always confirm your specific situation with a qualified lawyer and accountant before signing.