Whitby pre-construction and new homes: 2026 buyer guide

Looking at pre-construction and new homes in Whitby? 2026 is unusual: Ontario now rebates up to $130,000 of HST on a new home bought as a primary residence (agreement signed by March 31, 2027), and first-time buyers get federal and Ontario rebates on top of older rules. In the GTA, new low-rise sales jumped above their 10-year average once the rebate started, while new condo sales stayed near record lows. Here is how to buy new in Whitby without getting burned.

What is being built in Whitby

Right now the new-home supply in Whitby is freehold townhomes and detached homes in Brooklin and north Whitby. For approvals, transit and neighbourhoods, see my Whitby real estate guide, and if you are new to the area, the moving to Whitby guide.

Whitby new vs. resale: September 2026 numbers

Source: TRREB Market Watch, September 2026 (Whitby). At the average resale detached price of $995,368, a new home at the same price would qualify for an estimated $129,398 in HST relief and need a minimum of $74,537 down.

HST rebate calculator

How to choose a pre-construction project: my 10-point check

1. Builder licence and history. Look the builder up on the HCRA Ontario Builder Directory: licence status, homes built in the last 10 years, and any regulatory actions.
2. Tarion warranty enrolment. New freehold and condo homes must be enrolled. Ask for the enrolment number.
3. Deposit structure and where it is held. Freehold deposits above the Tarion-protected amount carry more risk. Condo deposits are held in trust under the Condominium Act.
4. Firm vs. tentative occupancy dates. Read the Tarion Statement of Critical Dates. Delays beyond it can trigger compensation.
5. Cooling-off period. New condos come with a 10-day cooling-off period. Freehold homes do not by law, so make your offer conditional on a lawyer review.
6. Closing adjustments. Development levies, utility hook-ups and Tarion fees are added at closing. Ask for a cap in writing.
7. HST and rebate wording. Is the price HST-included with the rebate assigned to the builder? What happens if you do not qualify?
8. Assignment clause. If plans change, can you assign before closing, and what is the fee?
9. The site and what gets built around it. Check the city’s development applications for towers, roads, schools and transit nearby.
10. Resale comparison. Compare the per-square-foot price with recent resale sales nearby. New is not always better value.

Case studies: what the numbers look like

Worked examples using the current rules (agreements signed April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). These are illustrations, not client stories. Your builder’s pricing, closing costs and lender will change the numbers.

• Case 1, $999,000 townhome: under $1M, the relief covers the full 13% HST, so the home is effectively HST-free. Because it is under $1.5M, it can be bought with an insured mortgage and as little as $74,900 down, with up to a 30-year amortization on a new build.
• Case 2, $1.25M detached: between $1M and $1.5M the relief is a flat $130,000. You still need only $100,000 minimum down, not 20%. Most buyers still assume they need $250,000.
• Case 3, $799,900 first-time buyer: relief of about $103,987. A couple with two FHSAs can put in up to $16,000 a year (up to $80,000 lifetime) toward the $54,990 minimum down payment, tax-deductible.

Related: GTA new-construction hub · Roadmap to home ownership · Legal basement guide

FAQ