Is there a deadline or specific timeline to qualify for this HST relief

Are you in the market to purchase your first home? Perhaps you're already a homeowner looking for a change of scenery. Either way, the good news is that summer is the perfect time to start planning your new home. As one of the trusted home builders in St. Thomas, Ontario, Collier Homes sees it every year: this season simply works in a buyer's favour. In this article, we'll go over the benefits of summertime house hunting, and why this specific summer takes it a step further for anyone searching "new home builders near me" and weighing their options.

The Casual Explorers

Nobody wants to deal with a competitive market when looking for a place to make their bed and possibly raise a family. With this in mind, summer is the best time of year for house hunting, since it's a season when other buyers are casually exploring listings rather than racing to close. Without a competitive field of to-be-homeowners, the stress of being first to sign a contract, or getting pulled into a bidding war, takes a back seat, leading to a calmer, more thoughtful search. This slower pace matters most for first-time home buyers in Ontario, who are often navigating financing, inspections, and paperwork for the first time and benefit from a market that isn't rushing them into a decision.

Making the Most of Your Days

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Sometimes it feels like there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. In winter and spring, that feeling is especially real. In summer, though, the extended daylight hours change the equation. These longer days give you more time after work to view potential homes, so you don't miss out on any hidden gems. The extra daylight also gives you more time to explore the neighbourhoods and communities around your potential future home. Walk the block in the evening, check out nearby parks, see how the street feels at different times of day. If you do find your dream home, those long summer evenings give you extra hours to move your belongings in before it gets dark. For anyone comparing home builders in Ontario, that's valuable time to actually see a community rather than just a listing photo.

Taking Advantage of Current Incentives and Programs

Many incentives and programs built for potential homeowners don't last forever, and summer is the season to actually act on them rather than let them slip by. If you've read our previous blog, you already know about Ontario's HST rebate on new homes. If not: the Ontario government has worked to make newly built homes more affordable, and part of that effort includes an expanded HST rebate program that puts real tax relief back in buyers' pockets. This HST rebate on new homes in Ontario is a perfect example of a limited-time benefit, it only applies to newly built homes purchased before March 31, 2027, which is exactly why taking full advantage of incentives and programs during the summer can make a real financial difference for you.

No Outdoor Secrets

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There's a big difference between seeing a house in winter versus summer. In winter, a home's exterior can hide a lot: snow covering driveways and walkways, dead grass, no visible garden, bare trees out front. Winter leaves a lot to your imagination. Summer has none of that. Snow covering important parts of the house isn't a factor. Dead or patchy grass is possible but far less likely, and if there's a pool or a BBQ patio area, you can bet it'll be on full display. Summertime house hunting takes the guesswork out of how your home will actually look during the sunniest months of the year, helping you make a better-informed decision before you buy.

Whether it's avoiding a competitive buyer pool, extended daylight hours, taking advantage of current government incentives, or removing the guesswork of buying new, summer makes for the perfect season to house hunt, and the perfect time to settle into your new home. As one of the established home builders in St. Thomas, Collier Homes is here to help, whether you're a first-time buyer or simply ready for a change.


Take a look at Collier Homes' quick possession homes, or read up on the government's HST rebate incentive. Happy house hunting



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