Retirement · Varennes · Centris 2026
Thinking of selling the house and moving to a condo in Varennes? The calculation with real median prices: what the house brings in, what the condo costs, the welcome tax, condo fees and what is left. Centris figures, not estimates.
In Varennes, selling the median house ($631,000) to buy the median condo ($358,000) frees up $269,520 in 2026, after the $3,480 welcome tax on the condo and before selling costs. In 2016, the gap between the two was $112,000. Median condo fees are $214 a month: the capital freed covers about 105 years of them. Source: Centris (Matrix), compiled on October 20, 2026.
The short answer
In Varennes, selling the median house ($631,000) to buy the median condo ($358,000) frees up $269,520 in 2026, after the $3,480 welcome tax on the condo and before selling costs. In 2016, the gap between the two was $112,000. Median condo fees are $214 a month: the capital freed covers about 105 years of them.
The calculation, city by city
| The 2026 calculation in Varennes | Median condo | Median 2-bedroom condo |
|---|---|---|
| Sale of the median house | $631,000 | $631,000 |
| Purchase of the condo | − $358,000 | − $347,000 |
| Welcome tax on the condo (city grid) | − $3,480 | − $3,316 |
| Capital freed, before selling costs | $269,520 | $280,684 |
Centris median prices from January to mid-September 2026. Welcome tax calculated on the condo price under the city 2026 grid. Selling costs, notary and moving are not deducted.
House and condo in Varennes, ten years of prices
| Year | House, median price | Condo, median price | Gap | Condo as % of house |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $281,000 | $169,000 | $112,000 | 60% |
| 2017 | $295,200 | $176,000 | $119,200 | 60% |
| 2018 | $308,000 | $173,000 | $135,000 | 56% |
| 2019 | $340,000 | $182,750 | $157,250 | 54% |
| 2020 | $395,000 | $193,500 | $201,500 | 49% |
| 2021 | $490,000 | $259,900 | $230,100 | 53% |
| 2022 | $540,000 | $305,000 | $235,000 | 56% |
| 2023 | $533,900 | $296,500 | $237,400 | 56% |
| 2024 | $580,000 | $320,000 | $260,000 | 55% |
| 2025 | $674,900 | $345,000 | $329,900 | 51% |
| 2026 (Jan. to mid-Sept.) | $631,000 | $358,000 | $273,000 | 57% |
What it means in Varennes
- The gap between the median house and condo grew by $161,000 since 2016 in Varennes: houses rose faster than condos. That is what makes the move to a condo pay more than ten years ago.
- The median condo is worth 57% of the median house price in Varennes in 2026, versus 60% in 2016. Across the 50 cities tracked, the median is 64%.
- A 2-bedroom condo, often sought in retirement to host family, sells for $347,000 at the 2026 median (20 sales): the capital freed becomes $280,684.
- Median condo fees in Varennes: $214 a month, or $2,574 a year. They replace part of a house's upkeep (roof, yard, snow removal), but not property taxes or contents insurance.
What the calculation does not count
The calculation above leaves out three expenses that depend on your situation: the broker's fee and selling costs, the notary for the purchase, and the move. The gain on the sale of a principal residence is generally tax-exempt. Before selling, check the contingency fund and the condition of the building you are targeting: a cheap condo with a special assessment coming can wipe out the gap.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I keep if I sell my house for a condo in Varennes?
$269,520 in 2026 if you sell the median house ($631,000) for the median condo ($358,000), after the welcome tax on the condo and before selling costs.
What welcome tax is paid on a condo in Varennes?
$3,480 on a $358,000 condo under the city 2026 grid. The first-time buyer credit does not apply if you owned a home recently.
How much are condo fees in Varennes?
$214 a month at the median in Varennes ($2,574 a year).
Should I sell before buying?
Not necessarily: selling first avoids carrying two properties, buying first avoids having to rent in between. A condition on the sale of your house in the promise to purchase protects you in the second case.
All cities: from house to condo in retirement, 50 cities. The reverse path: from condo to house in Varennes.
Source: Centris (Matrix), median sale prices of single-family homes and condominiums, queries of September 16, 2026, and 2-bedroom condos; 2026 transfer duty grids; median condo fees from Centris listings; compiled by the Loaa & Manseur team on October 20, 2026, aggregates only. This page informs: it is neither tax advice nor an appraisal.
Also available in French: version française de ce guide.
Published September 7, 2026 by the Loaa & Manseur team, the number 1 team at RE/MAX Platine in 2024 and 2025, 6th RE/MAX team in Quebec, 15th in Canada and in the global top 50 according to the official RE/MAX ranking. Tell us about your project.