House or condo: which one should you choose?

In brief:

- House = more space, freedom and privacy, but usually a higher purchase and maintenance budget.

- Condo = often a more accessible entry price, less day-to-day upkeep, but rules to follow and recurring condo fees.

- The townhouse is an often-underrated compromise between the two.

- Think long term: your choice should match your current reality and your plans for the next 5 to 10 years.

- Don't stop at the listed price: calculate the total cost (down payment, taxes, insurance, upkeep, unexpected expenses).

House or condo: what are the main differences?

Before weighing the pros and cons, it helps to understand what fundamentally sets these two types of property apart. Here are the three key differences to know.

Land and space ownership

When you buy a single-family house, you become the owner of both the building and the land. This is known as full ownership: everything belongs to you, from the basement to the roof, from the front fence to the cedar hedge out back.

With a condo, you own a private portion (your unit) and hold a share of the common areas: hallways, parking, the entrance lobby, the roof, the building's structure and so on. These shared spaces are managed by a condo association, made up of all the co-owners. In Quebec, this framework falls under the Act respecting divided co-ownership of the Civil Code of Québec.

Management autonomy and rules

In a house, you're the only one in charge. You can renovate, redesign and use your property as you see fit, within the limits of municipal bylaws.

In a condo, it's different. You must follow the condo bylaws (also called the “declaration of co-ownership”), which govern things like:

• Owning pets

• Short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnb)

• Renovation work in your unit

• Use of common areas

These rules vary from building to building, which is why it's important to read them carefully before buying.

Available space: indoors and outdoors

A single-family house generally offers more living space, a garage, a private yard and generous storage. A condo, on the other hand, offers a more compact footprint, often without exclusive outdoor space (aside from a balcony or shared terrace).

Between the two, the townhouse is an often-underrated middle-ground option: more space than a condo, less upkeep than a single-family house, and sometimes no condo fees. It's a compromise worth considering.

Which type of property fits your profile?

The best choice is the one that fits your reality, not someone else's. Here's how to find yourself among the main buyer profiles.

The single-family house: ideal if you...

• Have kids or plan to;

• Want land and private outdoor space;

• Want the freedom to renovate, expand or personalize your home;

• Are considering a multigenerational household or want to convert a space into a separate unit;

• Are comfortable with maintenance responsibilities, or have the skills to handle them;

The condo: a good choice if you...

• Live alone or as a couple, without kids;

• Prefer to limit time spent on upkeep;

• Enjoy urban living, close to transit, shops and services;

• Are nearing retirement and want to move into a smaller property to simplify your life;

• Travel often and don't want to worry about outdoor maintenance;

The townhouse: an option not to overlook

The townhouse is often left out of the condo versus house comparison, yet it deserves a closer look.

More spacious than a condo (sometimes spanning two or three floors), it offers a private entrance and often a small outdoor space. For a family or couple who wants more room without the demands of a large single-family house, it's a very relevant alternative.

Single-family house, condo or townhouse: discover all the options available to you in your area on DuProprio.

Cost comparison: house or condo?

The listed price is only part of the equation. Here's a full picture of the costs associated with each type of property, often the most decisive section for buyers.

Purchase price and down payment

Single-family houses generally have a higher purchase price than condos in the same areas, which means a larger down payment and mortgage.

For your information:

In both cases, buyers who put down less than 20% must take out mortgage loan insurance, offered notably by CMHC or Sagen in Canada.

Taxes: municipal, school and welcome tax

Whether you buy a house or a condo, municipal and school taxes are recurring charges that are usually payable annually:

• 0.5% on the first $62,900;

• 1.0% on the portion from $62,901 to $315,000;

• 1.5% on the portion above $315,000;

(2026 rates for most Quebec municipalities. Montréal, Québec City and Gatineau apply specific rates. Source: Gouvernement du Québec — Land transfer duties

The higher the price, the more significant this tax becomes. For a $500,000 property, expect around $6,000 to $7,000 in welcome tax. DuProprio also offers a detailed article on calculating the welcome tax to help you plan ahead.

Home insurance: different coverage

Home insurance doesn't cover the same things depending on the type of property:

• House: You ensure the entire building (structure, roof, systems), in addition to its personal contents. The premium is generally higher.

• Condo: The building's insurance is handled by the condo association (through condo fees). Ensuring your unit is still recommended, as is taking out liability insurance, for example.

Maintenance costs vs condo fees

Both options come with recurring costs, but in very different forms:

• House: You alone cover routine and unexpected maintenance costs (roof, heating system, gutters, landscaping, snow removal and so on).

• Condo: You pay fixed monthly condo fees, which cover the upkeep of common areas and contribute to the contingency fund.

In summary:

On an annual basis, these two costs can be comparable. The differences?

- Condo fees, which can lead to a significant increase in your monthly payment, offer useful predictability for budget planning. It's a good idea to check this predictability against the fees themselves.

- A house's maintenance costs are more variable and sometimes unpredictable.

Unexpected expenses

In a house, unexpected expenses can come up at any time: a roof that needs replacing, water infiltration, a broken furnace. In a condo, this risk is shared, but a special assessment is still possible if major work exceeds available reserves.

Tip: In both cases, build a personal emergency fund equal to 3 to 6 months of expenses to handle the unexpected.

House vs condo comparison table

What factors should you consider before deciding?

Your overall budget

Don't stop at the purchase price. Be sure to factor in all related costs, including:

• The inspection

• The land survey (if a certificate of location is required, exceptionally at the buyer's expense)

• The appraisal (if the down payment exceeds 20%)

• Notary fees (preparation, signing and registration)

• Incidental fees and tax account adjustments

• Transfer duties (welcome tax, the calculation percentage depends on each municipality)

• Other start-up costs (home insurance, moving, utility hookups and so on)

Calculate all these costs with our budget tool.

• This full picture is what will let you assess your real capacity. The Desjardins mortgage calculator is also a good starting point for running different scenarios.

Your medium and long-term life plans

Are you planning to start a family? Might you move for work? Is retirement getting closer? It's best to choose a type of property that matches your life path, not just your current situation.

A condo can be perfect for your first years as a homeowner, then become too small once the family grows. Conversely, a large house can become a burden once the kids have moved out.

Your tolerance for upkeep and responsibilities

Be honest with yourself: do you have the time, energy and desire to manage the upkeep of a house? If the answer is no, a condo might be the right fit for you.

Maintaining a house takes a real time commitment that first-time buyers often underestimate. Between winter snow removal, summer yard work and one-off repairs, expect to spend several hours a week depending on the season.

Location and desired neighbourhood

Location affects both your quality of life and resale value. Consider proximity to:

• Schools and daycares;

• Parks and green spaces;

• Public transit;

• Your workplace;

• Shops and essential services;

In certain central urban neighbourhoods (Plateau Mont-Royal, Old Québec, downtown Montréal), the supply of houses is very limited, so a condo may be the only realistic option for living there.

House or condo as an investment

Historically in Quebec, single-family houses have shown slightly higher value appreciation (+9% in 2025 for single-family homes, compared to +5% for condos, according to the APCIQ), largely due to land value.

That said, condos can perform very well in dense urban markets where demand is strong.

What often makes the difference is the neighbourhood, more than the property type. Choosing the best investment depends as much on location as on the type of property.

The benefits of buying a house

More space and privacy

A house is, first and foremost, a space that's truly yours. A backyard, a garden, room to play or entertain: privacy comes standard. There's no elevator to share, and you can enjoy the outdoors freely.

This is an advantage that families with kids, outdoor enthusiasts and house dwellers in general particularly appreciate. That said, there can still be some constraints when entertaining, such as outdoor noise that neighbours might complain about, among other things.

A high level of customization freedom

Knocking down a wall, expanding the kitchen, landscaping the yard, installing a pool: in a house, the design choices are yours. This freedom is a major asset for buyers who want to shape their home to their own taste over time.

Some owners choose to set up a multigenerational unit or a rental unit to generate extra income, when municipal regulations allow it. This option is rarely possible in a condo, however.

An environment suited to family life

The house remains the preferred choice for many young families. Extra bedrooms, a yard for the kids, room for pets, proximity to schools and parks: the living environment is often more functional on this front.

Did you know?

According to APCIQ data, single-family house sales grew by 8% in 2025, totalling 63,210 transactions, a sign that demand for this type of property remains strong in Quebec.

The drawbacks of a house

A typically higher purchase price and down payment

As a general rule, a house costs more to buy than a comparable condo in the same area. In Montréal, the median price of a single-family home was $622,500 in 2025, compared to $425,000 for a condo (APCIQ). This means a larger down payment in absolute terms, which can extend how long you need to save before taking the plunge.

Mortgage rates and the amount borrowed also affect the total cost over the long run, an element you shouldn't overlook in your calculations. Use the Desjardins mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly payments.

Maintenance costs that are entirely your responsibility

Roof, siding, heating system, plumbing, snow removal, yard maintenance: it all falls on your shoulders. Experts recommend budgeting 1% to 3% of your property's value each year for maintenance.

For a $500,000 house, that can amount to between $5,000 and $15,000 a year, an amount that may seem reasonable at first but can increase as the house ages.

More day-to-day responsibilities

Owning a house also means dealing with the unexpected: a water heater that fails, a gutter that needs replacing, a crack in the foundation. These unexpected expenses can add up quickly without a personal reserve fund.

And the time all of this takes is often underestimated by first-time buyers. Mowing the lawn, shovelling the driveway, maintaining the pool, cleaning the gutters: all tasks that add to an already busy schedule.

The benefits of buying a condo

An often more accessible entry price

In many Quebec markets, a condo represents a more accessible first home purchase than a house. With a median price of $398,000 in Quebec in 2025 (compared to $491,500 for a single-family home), the down payment is lower, which lets some buyers become homeowners sooner.

For a young professional or a couple just starting out, it's often the ideal entry point into real estate. Explore condos for sale on DuProprio to see what's available in your area.

Less upkeep and more free time

Snow removal, lawn care, cleaning the common areas: it's all managed collectively and included in your monthly condo fees. No more snowblowing on a Sunday morning in January.

This is a real advantage for busy professionals, frequent travellers or anyone who'd rather spend their free time on something other than property upkeep.

Included amenities

Depending on the building, condo living can give you access to shared amenities such as:

• A gym or fitness room;

• An indoor or outdoor pool;

• A rooftop terrace;

• A meeting room or shared workspace;

• Extra storage space;

Enhanced security systems (controlled access, intercom, surveillance cameras) are also common in many condo buildings, offering extra peace of mind.

A lifestyle suited to certain profiles

A condo is particularly well suited to single people, couples without kids and those nearing retirement who want to simplify their daily lives. Proximity to public transit, shops and restaurants is often an added draw for those who favour urban living.

The drawbacks of a condo

Condo fees: a recurring cost to plan for

Condo fees are mandatory monthly charges that cover things like:

• Upkeep of common areas (hallways, lobby, elevator);

• Snow removal and landscaping;

• Building insurance;

• Contributions to the contingency fund, a collective reserve for upcoming major work (roof, windows, building envelope and so on);

• Contributions to the self-insurance fund, mandatory since 2022, which covers the association's insurance deductibles in the event of a claim.

According to an APCIQ study published in March 2026, median annual condo fees in Quebec have doubled over 10 years, rising from $1,716 in 2015 to $3,432 in 2025 (La Presse). Note that by August 2028, new financial obligations will be imposed on condo associations, and every co-ownership will need to:

• Have a maintenance logbook prepared by a qualified professional, documenting the building's condition and the work planned over the next 25 years;

• Have a contingency fund study conducted to determine the amounts to be paid annually to cover upcoming major repairs;

• Adjust contingency fund contributions based on the study's recommendations (with a maximum of 10 years to make up any shortfall).

In short, many condo associations will need to raise their condo fees over the coming years to catch up and meet these new requirements. Combined with rising insurance costs, everything points to monthly charges continuing to climb.

Warning:

If the contingency fund is underfunded, co-owners may face a special assessment, an unexpected expense that can sometimes run into the thousands of dollars. Before buying, always ask to review the contingency fund study to assess the building's financial health.

More limited freedom

In a condo, work inside your unit is allowed, but it's often subject to the condo association's approval if it affects structural or shared elements (load-bearing walls, plumbing, ventilation, the facade). Condo bylaws may also restrict:

• Owning certain animals;

• Short-term rentals (Airbnb and so on);

• Visible exterior changes;

Tip: Read them carefully before signing anything.

Less private space and soundproofing concerns

A condo rarely offers private outdoor space beyond a balcony. Storage is often limited, and soundproofing quality varies depending on the building's age and construction. In some cases, noise from neighbours can become a real day-to-day nuisance, a factor worth checking when you visit.

Mistakes to avoid before buying

Focusing only on the listed price

The purchase price is only the starting point. Too many buyers forget to factor in:

• Notary fees;

• The welcome tax (transfer duties);

• Municipal tax adjustments;

• Moving costs;

• Initial maintenance or decorating expenses;

Always set aside a buffer of 3% to 5% of the purchase price to cover these related costs.

Skipping the condo bylaws

Before buying a condo, carefully read:

1. The condo bylaws (declaration of co-ownership): they reveal the house rules, restrictions and your obligations.

2. The state of the contingency fund: it shows whether the building is well managed financially and whether major work is coming up.

3. The meeting minutes: they give you a sense of the dynamics between co-owners and any recent issues.

These documents reveal whether your lifestyle is compatible with the rules in place, and whether you risk a special assessment in the near future.

Underestimating your future needs

Buying for your current situation is fine. Buying with the next 5 or 10 years in mind is better. A growing family, a job change or an approaching retirement can significantly change your needs.

Ask yourself: will this property still suit your life in 5 years?

Choosing based on trends rather than real needs

The right choice is the one that fits your reality, not what looks popular on social media. A big condo right downtown can be tempting, just like a house with a pool in the suburbs. But if neither one matches your actual daily life, you may end up regretting it.

Take the time to list your non-negotiable needs (space, location, budget) before letting yourself be swayed by how a listing looks.

House or condo? The best choice is the one that aligns with your budget, your lifestyle and your long-term goals.

Take the time to ask yourself the right questions: what do you truly need today? And in five years? Are you ready to take on the upkeep of a house, or would you prefer the peace of mind that comes with condo living?

Whatever you decide, DuProprio is with you every step of the way. Your next home is waiting for you. Visit Duproprio.com

FAQ: Your questions about choosing between a house and a condo

House or condo: what's the best choice for a first-time buyer?

There's no single answer. For a first-time buyer on a limited budget, a condo often offers a more accessible first home purchase, with a lower down payment. For someone planning to start a family or who needs more space, a house may be worth the extra investment. The key is to assess your overall budget (not just the listed price) and align your choice with your short and medium-term plans.

Are condo fees really worth it?

Condo fees cover the upkeep of common areas, snow removal, building insurance and contributions to the contingency fund. In that sense, they replace expenses that a house owner covers alone. High fees aren't necessarily a bad sign: they can reflect a well-maintained building with a well-funded contingency fund. Before buying, ask for the contingency fund study to assess the co-ownership's financial health.

Does a house gain more value than a condo over time?

Historically, single-family houses have shown slightly higher value appreciation in Quebec, largely thanks to land value. In 2025, the median price of single-family homes rose by 9%, compared to 5% for condos (APCIQ). That said, condos can perform very well in dense urban markets where demand is strong. Location often remains the most decisive factor, more so than the type of property.

Can you make the same renovations in a condo as in a house?

In a condo, renovations inside your private unit are generally allowed, but they're governed by the condo bylaws. Work affecting load-bearing walls, shared systems (plumbing, ventilation) or the facade requires approval from the association. In a house, you have much greater freedom to make changes, subject to municipal regulations. If you have renovation plans in mind, always read the condo bylaws before signing.

Is a condo a good choice for a family?

A condo can absolutely work for a young family, provided the space is sufficient and the location is favourable (schools, parks, services nearby). That said, you should check the rules on pets, the building's soundproofing and the lack of private outdoor space. For families who need more room, a townhouse often offers a good compromise between a condo and a single-family house.