Being able to have Menkes customize your home before construction has even started so it will be built with your own personal touch is a big bonus. Additionally, with new construction or pre-construction purchases, the work is done for you; you don't have to lift a finger, a paint brush, or a hammer. Many new homes come with some of the design elements that today's lifestyle demands; open, eat-in kitchens, walk-in closets, and large master bathroomss to name a few. The financial benefits of new properties include little maintenance, as brand new appliances, plumbing, heating, and a/c are repair-free for many years and the use of the latest construction materials mean that newly-built homes are more energy efficient and result in lower utility bills. Finally, new homes and condos are equipped with the latest technology built right in, including alarm systems & speaker systems (for a fee), internet wiring, and cable, saving you time, money, and holes in the walls.

The first step to purchasing a new home or condo with Menkes is to contact and/or visit one of our sales offices. There, our sales staff will be happy to walk you through the process of buying your new home and answer any questions you may have.

The largest difference is what is and is not included as part of the home/unit. With a freehold home, you own the plot of land and any structure on that land, such as a house or a townhouse. You alone are responsible for the care and maintenance of the entire house, including the exterior walls and roof, as well as the lawn, garden, driveway and garage. In some townhome communities, your home and land may be your responsibility however you may still have nominal fees to cover maintenance of common shared roads and sidewalks. With a condominium townhouse or unit within a condominium tower, your unit typically consists of the interior of the unit itself, while the exterior of the unit and the plot of land on which the unit (or building, as the case may be) sits are considered part of the common elements. This means that repair and maintenance of items like exterior walls, windows, common corridors, lawns, gardens and driveways will typically be the responsibility of the condominium corporation.

Condominium maintenance fees are essentially the percentage of a unit owner's share of the costs to operate and maintain the entire building or project. These fees are charged over and above your mortgage, and other fees such as telephone, cable and, in many cases, hydro. They are not a source of profit for the board or management as each building is registered as a non-profit corporation. The fees are analagous to the individual utility bills you would pay on a freehold house, along with maintenance work such as roof repairs, window cleaning, snow shovelling, housecleaning, landscaping, etc. All fees are typically calculated according to the size of your unit so a two-bedroom unit's fees would be higher than a studio's fees. These fees are also re-evaluated each year based on the building's budget needs. Finally, a portion is also set aside as part of a contingency fund which every condo must maintain by law under the Condominium Act. The fund is intended to cover future special costs incurred as part of building upkeep, such as a new boiler or repairs to heating or plumbing equipment. 

No; you are free to come to one of our presentation centres or condo stores to review available models for sale. Our on-site staff will be pleased to work with you to find the perfect home for your budget and space needs.

Yes, the purchase price (unless otherwise stated) includes Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). HST is applicable for all real estate purchases of new construction in Canada. The HST inclusion assumes that the buyer will be using their new home for their own personal use.

Every Menkes home is protected by a comprehensive warranty program, which is guaranteed by Tarion Warranty Corporation, an independent corporation with the mandate to ensure that the warranty provided by all builders in Ontario to new home purchasers is enforced. The hallmark of every Menkes community is our focus on exquisite design, superb craftsmanship and exemplary customer service. This steadfast attention to quality and enduring value has earned Menkes an Excellent Service Rating from Tarion Warranty Corporation.

If you need to change your personal information, such as your mailing or email addresses, please contact the sales office at which you purchased your new home, either via email of by telephone.

As a rule, pets are allowed in both freehold homes and condominiums, however the volume and type of pet(s) you have must conform to the by-laws in your community as set out by your municipality. Additionally, many condominium towers have limits on the size/weight of pets that are allowed to be kept in your unit. You should carefully review your condominium's declaration documents to see what these restrictions are.

We'll guide you through a comprehensive inspection of your new home, noting any concerns and explaining how to operate and maintain important mechanical elements.

Approximately four weeks prior to your closing, you will receive an email via the Condo Control Central platform which will be used to coordinate all your home care, warranty and community needs. We will provide you at least two weeks notice of the available PDI appointments and will require you to choose the time within those dates that works best for you.

We recommend that you or your Designate, plus up to two guests over 18, attend the appointment.

Yes, you can appoint a Designate by completing a Designate of Agent form, or Menkes Customer Care can conduct the PDI on your behalf.

Approximately one hour, but we reserve an hour-and-a-half to answer all your questions.

No problem! Your Menkes Customer Care team will start the inspection after 15 minutes, and you can join them upon arrival.

Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended, as we'll be walking around the community and home. You may need to wear PPE (see above) if we do not have legal Occupancy yet which we will provide for you.

No, but please inform us of any special accessibility requirements beforehand by emailing or calling the Customer Care office.

Menkes Customer Care will conduct the PDI on your behalf, and you'll receive a copy of the inspection report and your Certificate of Completion & Possession (CCP) by email.

It's when you can move in, but don't need a mortgage yet. You'll provide an additional deposit and postdated cheques for interim occupancy fees.

Occupancy fees are paid to a builder by a purchaser to live in the suite until final closing occurs. These fees consist of the monthly common expenses, interest on the deferred purchase price and an estimate of the property taxes.

It occurs after your community is Registered and becomes a legal corporation. You'll need a mortgage in place, and your lawyer will guide you through the process.

Register for Condo Control, hire a lawyer, inform your mortgage lender of your occupancy date, and review the Financing Your New Home Mortgage Checklist and New Home Planner.

Review the What to Expect at PDI document via Condo Control, respond to our PDI scheduling invitation, complete a Designate of Agent form (if necessary), and purchase homeowner's insurance. Our New Home Planner will guide you through every step of the way.

Pick up your suite keys from the Concierge once you receive an email to do so, visit your suite, and complete your 24-hour form.

Meet your Concierge, turn on water supply valves for appliances, and dispose of cardboard boxes in the recycling area.

Submit Service Requests on Condo Control for any questions or concerns, prepare for Registration and Final Closing, and finalize financial arrangements for your mortgage.

Although we strive to deliver a home without deficiencies of any kind, it is not uncommon to encounter minor items requiring adjustment or repair within the first year of possession. Before making a statutory warranty request, please familiarize yourself with the Homeowner Information Package which outlines Tarion Warranty Corporation's warranty guidelines and the methods available for submitting your statutory warranty requests to both Tarion Warranty Corporation and Menkes Customer Care. Please remember that all statutory warranty requests must be submitted in writing using the Tarion Statutory Warranty Forms and according to the timelines specified in the Homeowner Information Package. For more information, please visit https://myhome.tarion.com/.