Buying a property in 2026 raises an unavoidable question: is it better to invest in new construction or opt for an existing home? This year’s Quebec real estate context provides solid arguments on both sides. Here is a complete overview, based on available data, to help you decide according to your situation.

The state of the real estate market in 2026

The Quebec residential market continues to rise. Several other Canadian provinces are instead expecting a slowdown. According to the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB), the Sherbrooke census metropolitan area recorded 616 residential sales in the first quarter of 2026. This represents a 6% increase compared to the previous year. The shortage of listings remains a significant problem.

Prices are moving in the same direction. According to Century21 Estrie’s monthly report, the average sale price in Sherbrooke was $508,485 in February 2026. This represents a 6.3% increase year over year. The median price was $460,500, an increase of 8.4%. Properties are also selling faster than before. QPAREB reports an average selling time of 41 to 44 days in the region. This is much shorter than a year ago.

This tightening inventory of existing homes is naturally pushing many buyers to look at new builds, where supply remains more under the control of builders. You can also browse the current inventory of homes for sale or lots for sale to get a concrete idea of the options available in the region.

The financial advantages specific to new construction

It is on the tax front that new construction stands out most clearly in 2026. This comes from several measures that apply only to new properties.

The GST rebate for first-time homebuyers is a new federal program launched in March 2026. It allows people buying their first new home to recover up to $50,000 in GST paid. The rebate is full for properties of $1,000,000 or less. It gradually decreases up to $1,500,000. This program applies to purchase agreements signed between March 20, 2025 and December 31, 2030, according to Revenu Québec.

The standard QST rebate. This program remains reserved for new homes. It refunds 50% of the QST paid, up to a maximum of $9,975. It applies only to properties priced under $300,000. This threshold mainly targets the entry-level market.

The new tax credit on land transfer duties. This measure is not exclusive to new homes: announced on April 17, 2026 by Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette, it allows any first-time buyer (new or existing home) to recover up to $5,875 of the “welcome tax,” retroactive to January 1, 2026, for properties under one million dollars.

On a home purchased directly from a builder, a good portion of these rebates are often already applied to the listed price or handled as part of the process, as is the case with several properties for sale at Lachance. Our financing team can help you see concretely what you are entitled to based on your situation.

The advantages of an existing home

An existing home retains advantages that a new build cannot offer immediately. First, availability: you can generally move in within a few weeks rather than several months. Next, its location in a mature neighbourhood, with mature trees, schools and shops already in place, and an established transit network. Finally, in a seller’s market like Sherbrooke’s right now, some existing properties still leave room for negotiation, particularly those that have been listed for longer. Moreover, buying a new home doesn’t necessarily involve a waiting period: Lachance has a large inventory of move-in ready homes, available quickly, as well as several existing homes on the market.

Construction costs and timelines in 2026

On the construction side, the Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ) forecasts 62,000 housing starts in Quebec in 2026, a 4% increase compared to 2025. However, this sustained activity comes with pressure on costs: according to the APCHQ, residential construction costs rose 4.3% in Quebec during the first half of 2025, a faster pace than in other Canadian provinces.

In concrete terms, this means that a new construction project requires longer planning than buying an existing home, but it also lets you choose a plan that exactly matches your needs, right from the foundation. You can explore our house plans or discover the option of custom construction if you want to start from a blank page. Several of our residential projects under development also offer a good compromise: a lot already selected, in a growing neighbourhood, with a predefined house plan.  Note: this longer timeline mainly applies to projects yet to be built. If you opt for one of our move-in ready new homes, you can move in just as quickly as with an existing home.

How to choose a home based on your profile?

• You want to move in quickly:  an existing home generally remains the fastest option.
• You are a first-time buyer looking to maximize tax rebates: new homes offer tax advantages (GST, QST) that don’t exist for resale properties.
• You want to avoid unexpected renovations: new construction eliminates this risk for several years.
• You are looking for an established neighbourhood, with shops and schools nearby: an existing home often has the advantage here, although several new residential projects are being developed precisely to offer this type of environment.
• Your budget is tight and you are aiming for under $300,000: check your eligibility for the QST rebate, exclusive to new homes.

Check out our current promotions or contact us to discuss your project with the team.