KETTLER

Most new condo projects begin with a registration phase, where interested buyers receive pricing and availability, sometimes before general release. Once you choose a unit, you sign a purchase contract and pay deposits on a set schedule during construction. Closing happens after the building is complete and the unit can be conveyed to you.

In Florida, buyers of new condos have a 15-day rescission period under FS 718.503. This applies to condos only. During that window a buyer can cancel the contract under the statute's terms. Have an attorney review the contract and disclosures so you know how the timing applies to your purchase.

Buying pre-construction lets a buyer secure a unit with a staged deposit schedule and close later, once the building is complete. That means capital is committed over time, but the buyer does not hold the finished asset until closing. This is a structure, not a return forecast, and values at completion may be higher, lower or unchanged.

Before buying, evaluate local factors: how many comparable condo units are being delivered in Tampa or Celebration, how quickly similar units have been leasing or selling, and the likely rental demand for the unit type. Compare projected HOA fees, deposit terms, and the closing timeline against your financing plans. Review the contract and disclosure documents with a Florida real estate attorney.

Deposit requirements differ by project and are set out in each purchase contract, often paid in stages rather than all at once. Ask the sales team for the full schedule and budget for closing costs as well. Incentive and down-payment assistance programs in Florida, such as those offered through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, have their own eligibility rules, and not every condo project qualifies, so confirm with a lender.

Registering early can matter because developers often release units, pricing and floor plan choices to registrants first. Early interest also gives you time to arrange financing before you sign.