Maybe. Each request to reserve a lot is reviewed on a case by case basis. If a lot reservation is agreed to a lot reservation form is completed, a FINTRAC form is completed, a deposit is delivered, and photo identification is collected. The length of the reservation varies but is commonly 20 to 60 days.
Yes. The Builder cooperates and pays Realtors. A Realtor needs to complete the Builder’s Potential Client Referral Form and submit it to the Builder. The form is available on the website.
A guideline to use for estimating the deposit is: The deposit is approximately 10% of the purchase price. This means if the purchase price is $700,000 the total deposit is most likely $70,000. The deposit is a onetime payment that is paid at the time the Agreement of Purchase and Sale is signed and the remainder of the funds owed are paid on the closing date. The Sales Representative can tell you the exact deposit amount as the deposits vary for each property (in some cases the deposits are $50,000).
A guideline to use for estimating the deposit is: The deposit is approximately 10% of the purchase price. This means if the purchase price is $700,000 the total deposit is most likely $70,000. The deposit is a onetime payment that is paid at the time the Agreement of Purchase and Sale is signed and the remainder of the funds owed are paid on the closing date. The Sales Representative can tell you the exact deposit amount as the deposits vary for each property (in some cases the deposits are $50,000).
Deposits provided with a lot reservation are refundable. Deposits provided with a conditional agreement of purchase and sale are usually refundable. Once an agreement is firm (meaning there are no conditions) the deposit is nonrefundable.
Payments to the Builder are made by bank draft and not personal cheques. Bank drafts are made payable to: Performance Communities Inc.
To see details about the Sales and Selections process please click on the "Start the Sales Process" and "Complete the Sales Process" links on the Buying Guide page.
Yes. The advertised prices include the net Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Below is an image of the "Price / Tax Summary" that is included in all Agreements of Purchase and Sale. The "Price / Tax Summary" shows how the HST is calculated and is included in our advertised prices.
The Builder is not responsible to determine if a Purchaser is eligible for the HST rebate. It is the Purchaser’s sole responsibility to communicate with their lawyer to determine HST rebate eligibility. Purchasers are generally eligible for the HST rebate if they are considered a Canadian resident for income tax purposes the month before and at the beginning of the month in which the Canada Revenue Agency makes a payment. They also need to meet one of the following criteria: at least 19 years old, have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner, are (or were) a parent and live (or lived) with a child.
Prices include the net HST with applicable rebates assigned to the Builder. This means the Builder pays the full 13% HST when items for the house are purchased but the Builder only charges the Purchaser a portion of the HST. The difference between the full 13% HST and the portion charged to the Purchaser is the rebate. The Purchaser receives the benefit of the rebate at the point of sale and because of this the Purchaser signs a form to say the rebate funds are due to the Builder.
The Builder does not determine how much property tax the Purchaser will pay. This question is best answered by the Purchaser’s lawyer. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) assess the property and determines the value of the property. This value, called the ‘assessed value’, is the number that will be used by the Municipality to determine the property tax. As of March 1, 2020 an approximate property tax rate in the City of St.Thomas and the Town of Tillsonburg is 1.6%. If a property is assessed at $300,000 then the approximate property tax per year is $300,000 X 1.6% = $4,800.
The other fees the Purchaser pays are the Purchaser’s legal fees and the Provincial land transfer tax.
This question is best answered by the Purchaser’s lawyer. The Builder can only offer general guidelines about land transfer tax.
Purchasers of houses and condos in Ontario pay land transfer tax when they purchase a property. The Purchaser’s lawyer will arrange for land transfer taxes to be paid when the deed to the new home is transferred (on closing day). Ontario land transfer taxes are based on a sliding scale and are difficult to calculate. Commonly land transfer tax on a house that sells for $450,000 is approximately $5,500.
Land transfer and mortgage calculator: www.getwhatyouwant.ca/mortgage-calculators
Ontario government website about land transfer tax: www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/bulletins/ltt/2_2005.html
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Tarion provides new home warranty protection to Purchasers in Ontario. The Builder pays to enroll the Purchaser’s home into the Tarion Warranty Program. The Ontario government, through the Ministry of Consumer Services, has empowered Tarion to administer and enforce the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act.
Yes. The Purchaser receives substantial warranty protection as set out by the Tarion Warranty Program (in accordance with the Ontario New Home Warranty Act). Under the plan, the Builder warrants that the house will be free of defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one year. There is a two-year warranty with respect to electrical, plumbing, heating systems, cladding, caulking, windows, and doors, and the building envelope (all parts of the structure that contain the living space is free of water penetration). The Builder warrants for two years that the basement remains free of water penetration through the foundation. The Purchaser is protected for seven years against major structural defects with the Tarion Warranty Program.
A Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) is an inspection of the house by the Purchaser prior to the closing date. The Purchaser attends the PDI with the Builder’s Service Team. The Builder will contact the Purchaser to arrange a PDI date and time.
At the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) the Purchaser and Service Team member agree on a time the keys will be delivered on the closing date.
Yes, the Development charge is included in the price of the Townhome and single-family home.
A mortgage is a type of loan often used to buy a home or other property. A mortgage allows the lender to take possession of the property if you don't repay the loan on time. The property is the security for the loan. Normally, a mortgage is a large loan and is paid off over many years. When a Purchaser gets a mortgage loan, the Purchaser is called the mortgagor. The lender is called the mortgagee. Under a mortgage, the Purchaser is responsible for making regular payments to the lender. The payments cover the interest on the loan plus part of the principal (the amount of the loan). Payments may also include property taxes, insurance and similar charges.
A mortgage calculator is a tool that asks the Purchaser questions about their financial position and then estimates what size of mortgage the Purchaser might qualify for. Many bank websites have a mortgage calculator and one is also at this website: www.getwhatyouwant.ca/mortgage-calculators
Before a Purchaser begins looking at houses to purchase they can talk to a Mortgage Broker / financial institution about a pre-approval mortgage letter. This letter is commomly called the Financial Approval Letter (FAL). A Financial Approval Letter means a Mortgage Broker learns how much money a Purchaser is qualified to borrow and at what interest rate. The Financial Approval Letter is commonly used to determine the approximate price range the Purchaser should buy within.
The agreement of purchase and sale (also called the ‘agreement’ or APS) is the document that states the responsibilities the Purchaser and the Builder each have to complete the transaction. The agreement is signed after the Purchaser has selected the lot, the house, and the upgrades. The agreement states the closing date of the transaction. The closing date is the day the Purchaser pays the Builder and the keys are delivered to the Purchaser.
A conditional agreement states events that must happen prior to the agreement being binding and firm. Typically, an agreement is conditional upon the Purchaser securing financing or the Purchaser’s lawyer reviewing the agreement to ensure the terms in the agreement are accurate.
The length of time to build a house varies depending on the complexity of the house and when building permits are available. Typically, the build time is between 180 to 300 days - counted from when the building permit is obtained. The Builder has never missed a closing date.
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The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) is Canada’s financial intelligence unit. The Centre assists in the detection, prevention and deterrence of money laundering and the financing of illegal activities. FINTRAC's financial intelligence and compliance functions contribute to the safety of Canadians and the protection of the integrity of Canada's financial system.
Yes, the hot water tank is provided on a rental contract. In a single family home the hot water tank can be purchased.
An assignment clause can be in the agreement but this does not mean the Builder will agree to allow assignment of the property. The assignment clause will only say that the Builder has the sole right to choose to allow assignment of the property if all terms of the assignment clause are agreed to by the orginal Purchaser (typically there is a fee to execute an assignment clause).
Maybe. The Builder owns rental properties, however; they are frequently all rented. Ask to speak to the Builder’s Rental Manager to see if a unit is available to rent during the build time.
The items included in the base price of the home are listed on the Base Price sheet and are available on the website – located within the information for a specific model.
The Presentation Centres are listed on the website along with the contact information. The Presentation Centres are typically open Tuesday to Friday from 12 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m. It’s recommended to call ahead to confirm the Presentation Centre is open and / or set an appointment.
No. A Realtor is not required to purchase a new home. A Purchaser is required to have a lawyer to purchase a new home. If a Purchaser has a Realtor the Builder pays a commission to the Realtor (the Potential Client Referral Form has to be completed).
No appliances are included in the base price of a single family home. All appliances are supplied and installed by the Purchaser after the closing date (appliances cannot be delivered to the house prior to the closing date). Single family houses built with specifications dated February 15, 2022 and beyond include a decorative hood with a fan insert in the kitchen. A space for a future dishwasher is provided along with a water supply line, water drain line, and electrical power.
Towns built in Northcrest Ph 2 have a dishwasher and Over the Range (OTR) Microwave included in the price (the Purchaser supplies and installs the washing machine, dryer, stove, and fridge after the closing date). Future Towns projects (after Northcrest Ph 2) may not include a dishwasher - ask Sales Representative for details.
No. The Builder must supply and install all items in the house. This is due to many reasons. Some of the reasons are warranty coverage, scheduling of the project, compliance with the Building Codes, and job site safety.
No. The Purchaser isn’t allowed to work on the house during the construction process.
No, the Builder will not sell just the lot.
An Inventory Home is a house that the Builder has selected all the features and finishes for and has begun to build prior to a Purchaser buying the house. A list of available Inventory Homes is shown on the website.
A guideline to use for estimating the deposit is: The deposit is approximately 10% of the purchase price. This means if the purchase price is $700,000 the total deposit is most likely $70,000. The deposit is a onetime payment that is paid at the time the Agreement of Purchase and Sale is signed and the remainder of the funds owed are paid on the closing date. The Sales Representative can tell you the exact deposit amount as the deposits vary for each property (in some cases the deposits are $50,000).
The final price of the house is comprised of the lot price, house price, upgrades in the agreement, upgrades purchased during the selections process, and typical real estate adjustments (e.g. utilities, property tax, etc). To determine the final price the Purchaser directs their lawyer to contact the Builder’s lawyer. Once this contact between lawyers is established the Builder’s lawyer starts collecting the information needed to determine the final price. The final price takes into account lawyer fees, land transfer fees, property tax adjustments, etc. The process of the Purchaser’s lawyer communicating with the Builder’s lawyer is followed because this ensures both lawyers know all the communication about the final price.
The single-family house price list states the width of the house (e.g. 39’ wide). A general principle is add 8’ to the width of the house and that’s the width of lot that’s required for the house. For example: A 39’ wide house needs a 47’ wide lot. Other factors have to be taken into account to determine if a house fits on a lot. For example: Does the house meet the coverage requirements of the lot (only so much of the house can ‘cover’ the lot). The shape of the lot also influences whether or not a house fits on a lot. For example: A ‘pie-shaped’ lot may only be 28’ wide at the very front of the lot but further back on the lot the width of the lot will be very wide and therefore fit many sizes of houses. The sales representative can confirm if the house fits on the lot.
No, the Builder does not permit changes to a Townhome plan.
Yes, once a deposit is provided the Purchaser can work with the sales representative to request some minor changes to the house plan. Not all changes are possible or permitted. Each request is reviewed on a case by case basis.
Yes. Ask a Sales Representative for the contact information for the person who manages all custom built homes.
Yes. Ask a Sales Representative for the contact information for the person who manages renovations.
An easement is the right to cross or otherwise use another’s land for a specified purpose. Central to the concept of an easement is that they are a right of use, not ownership. For example, property may have an easement over neighbouring property (such as in the case of a Townhome) to allow access to the backyard. An easement may also protect buried infrastructure which has been installed on a portion of the property (for example a drainage pipe or communication cables). An easement gives legal access to Municipal officials to enter onto the property for the purposes of inspection and/or maintenance. Sheds, pools, decks, fencing or any means of blocking or altering an easement is not permitted.
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A swale is a sloped parcel of land designed to direct water to a specific area. A swale prevents puddles or bodies of water from forming on properties. Blocking or altering a swale in any way is not permitted. Every lot has a swale located somewhere on the property. The severity and location of the swale is shown on the master grading and drainage plan for the community.
If a change to the house is permitted the change is documented on a Change Order and signed by the Builder & Purchaser.
The Purchaser works with the Builder's Design Consultant to select colours and some of the features for the home. The Design Consultant can provide guidence on colours and assists in the administrative process (prepares Change Orders and other related documents). The Builder’s selection and building process ensures quality standards are met, the requirements of the Ontario Building Code & local building rules are met, the jobsite is safe, and the house is completed by the closing date. To achieve these objectives selections for the house are completed within the timeframe provided and all products are selected at the Builder’s Selection Studio from the approved products. Items supplied by the Builder are under warranty and meet the required safety requirements.
- Purchaser Info: Full legal name, email address, cell phone, current address
- FINTRAC Info: Date of birth, occupation, government-issued ID with number (e.g. driver’s license).
- Photocopy ID: Copy of government-issued ID.
- Lawyer Info: Lawyer’s name, firm name, email, phone, address
- Lender Info: Company name (e.g. TD Canada Trust), representative’s name, email, phone, address.
After the agreement is firm the Builder provides the Purchaser with an Ownership and Building Guide. The guide explains the homebuilding process and a timeline for tasks for the Purchaser to complete prior to the closing date.
The Purchaser contacts each utility provider and sets up an account. The Ownership and Building Guide contains a list of all the Utility Companies along with the contact information.