Selling a Condo in Burlington
What’s different about selling a condo, and how to get ready before you list
What’s different
about a condo
Selling a condo is like selling a house, with the building added in. Buyers look at your unit and at the corporation behind it: the fees, the reserve fund, any special assessments, and the rules on pets, rentals and renovations. Most of that comes from one document, the status certificate.
In Burlington right now, condo-type homes are taking longer to sell than single-family homes, so preparation and the asking price matter more.
Burlington,
September 2026
Cornerstone reports townhouses, condos and semis together. Here is how they compared with single-family homes:
| Burlington, Sept 2026 | Townhouse, condo, semi | Single-family |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $670,000 | $1,190,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | −8.2% | +1.8% |
| Days on market until sale | 42 (37 a year earlier) | 26 (34) |
| Sold for, as % of list price | 97.3% | 96.6% |
| Months of supply | 4.1 | 3.1 |
Source: Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®, Burlington Monthly Indicators, September 2026. For condo apartments on their own, TRREB’s Market Watch put Burlington’s September apartment benchmark at $504,000, down 4.39% from a year earlier. The two boards measure different sales, so don’t compare their figures directly.
What it means: condo-type homes took longer to sell than a year ago and longer than houses, and there is more supply relative to sales than for houses. Sellers who are ready, with the documents in hand and the price right from day one, do best. See the latest in our market report.
The status
certificate
The status certificate is the condo corporation’s official statement about your unit and the building. Under Ontario’s Condominium Act, anyone can request one, the corporation can charge no more than $100 including taxes, and it must provide it within 10 days. It can include:
- The declaration, by-laws and rules
- This year’s budget and the last audited financial statements
- The most recent reserve fund study and the state of the reserve fund
- Your unit’s common expenses, and whether any are owing
- Any increase in common expenses, and why
- Any special assessment charged to the unit since this year’s budget
- Insurance certificates, and any legal judgments or lawsuits involving the corporation
Why order it before you list? Buyers commonly make their offer conditional on their lawyer reviewing it. If you already have a recent one, you know what buyers will see and can answer questions straight away. What the certificate says binds the corporation, so it’s worth reading closely.
Getting your
condo ready
- Your monthly fee and what it covers, such as heat, water or hydro.
- Parking and locker details. Whether each is its own titled unit or an exclusive-use area matters to buyers and lenders. Your lawyer can confirm from the documents.
- Any renovations, and the corporation’s approval if its rules required one.
- Building rules for showings and moving, such as lockbox access, elevator bookings and any move-out deposit. Check with management early.
- Rental and pet rules, since they decide which buyers, including investors, can consider your unit.
- Known upcoming work or assessments. Talk to your lawyer about how to handle anything you know of.
How condos
are priced
The best evidence is recent sales in your own building, then similar buildings nearby. Within a building, price moves with floor, view and exposure, layout, parking and locker, and the condition of the unit.
Buyers compare the monthly cost, not just the price, so a high fee for what it includes can slow a sale. Overpricing is costly in a slower market: the listing goes stale and often ends up reduced anyway. Read about pricing mistakes to avoid.
What it costs
to sell a condo
The main costs are the same as for a house: commission plus 13% HST, legal fees, and paying out your mortgage. Our cost to sell guide has a calculator for what you keep.
Condo-specific extras are usually small: the status certificate if you order it, up to $100, and any move-out deposit or elevator booking fee your building charges. On closing, your lawyer adjusts the monthly fee, so if you’ve paid past the closing date the buyer credits you.
If your condo
is rented
You can sell a tenanted condo, either to an investor who keeps the tenant or to a buyer who wants to move in. Ontario’s tenancy rules govern how showings are arranged and how a tenancy can end for a buyer who will live there. The timing affects your price and your closing date, so plan it with us and your lawyer before you list. Our landlord services page covers the rules for owners.
Selling a condo FAQ
Who pays for the status certificate?
Whoever requests it. Anyone can ask the condo corporation for one, and it can charge no more than $100 including taxes. Often the buyer orders it during the conditional period; ordering it yourself before listing lets you spot problems early.
How long does a status certificate take?
The corporation must provide it within 10 days of receiving the request and payment. Some offer faster service for a rush fee, but the $100, 10-day option must always be available.
Do I have to tell buyers about a special assessment?
The status certificate states any special assessments charged to the unit since the current year’s budget, and what it says binds the corporation. If you know of an upcoming assessment, talk to your lawyer about how to handle it in the agreement.
Are Burlington condos selling slower than houses?
In September 2026, townhouses, condos and semis in Burlington spent 42 days on market until sale, against 26 for single-family homes, according to Cornerstone. They sold for 97.3% of list price, with 4.1 months of supply.
Can I sell my condo with a tenant in it?
Yes, but Ontario’s tenancy rules govern showings and how a tenancy can end so a buyer can move in. Plan the timing with us and your lawyer before you list.
General information, not legal advice. Status certificate rules from the Condominium Authority of Ontario. Market figures from Cornerstone and TRREB, September 2026. Your lawyer should confirm what applies to your unit.
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