New-build flat or townhouse in Montreal: what costs appear after year one?

[small_quill]

I’m comparing a 480 sq ft new-build flat with a similarly priced townhouse in Montreal. The flat looks easier to maintain, while the townhouse offers more control but potentially larger, irregular bills.

My model includes service charges, insurance, energy use and resale liquidity. I’m also thinking about tenant demand, vacancy risk and management workload. What would you put on a practical comparison checklist, particularly for costs or complications that may not become obvious until after the first year?

 

[rhea.north]

First clarify whether the townhouse is independently owned or part of a managed development with shared costs; otherwise the comparison may be less different than it appears.

For the flat, examine what the service charge actually covers, the condition and funding of shared-building reserves, and which repairs remain your responsibility. For the townhouse, price out exterior upkeep and allow a separate contingency for uneven bills rather than comparing annual averages alone.

I’d also challenge the assumption that simpler maintenance automatically means easier resale. At 480 sq ft, layout, storage and the likely buyer or tenant pool could matter as much as property type. Compare realistic monthly carrying costs, worst-case cash calls, and how much hands-on management each option requires.