Updated 2026-10-16 · By CondoCircle
Many buyers searching for freehold towns in Barrie want the townhome lifestyle without a monthly condo fee. That's a reasonable goal — but 'townhome' describes the building, not the tenure. The same-looking street can be freehold, condominium, or freehold with a common-elements fee. This guide explains the differences and the questions to ask before you commit.
- Tenure (freehold vs condominium) is separate from the building style — always confirm it in writing.
- Freehold owners typically maintain their own roof, exterior and land; condo town owners pay a monthly fee for shared elements.
- Some 'freehold' towns still carry a common-elements condominium fee for private roads or shared services.
- Vicinity's townhomes are freehold — you own the home and the land, with no monthly condominium fee.
What freehold actually means
With a freehold townhome, you own the house and the land beneath it outright. There's no condominium corporation, no monthly condo fee, and no board deciding how shared money is spent. You insure and maintain the whole structure — roof, exterior walls, windows and yard — on your own schedule and budget.
With a condominium townhome, you own your unit plus a share of the common elements, and a monthly fee funds their upkeep. Fees can make budgeting predictable, but they add to your carrying costs and can rise over time.
The middle ground: freehold with a common-elements fee
A growing number of new Ontario townhome communities are 'freehold with a parcel of tied land' (POTL). Your home is freehold, but a small monthly fee covers shared items such as a private road, visitor parking or snow removal. It's still freehold — but not fee-free.
How tenure changes the real monthly cost
| Cost item | Freehold town | Condo town |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly condo/common fee | Usually none (or small POTL fee) | Monthly fee, can increase |
| Exterior maintenance | You arrange and pay | Typically covered by the fee |
| Insurance | Full structure policy | Unit policy + corporation's policy |
| Special assessments | Not applicable | Possible if reserve fund is short |
| Resale appeal | Often broader buyer pool | Fee-sensitive buyers may hesitate |
A condo fee isn't automatically bad value — it replaces costs you'd pay anyway. The right comparison is total monthly carrying cost: mortgage, taxes, fee (if any), insurance and a realistic maintenance allowance.
Vicinity's towns are freehold
Vicinity by Mattamy Homes offers townhomes in Barrie alongside detached homes — and the townhomes are freehold. You own the home and the land beneath it, with no monthly condominium fee. That makes the Village Towns and 2-Storey Towns a direct answer for buyers who want townhome living without condo-fee carrying costs.
As with any new-home purchase, have your lawyer confirm the tenure provisions in your agreement. To compare the freehold towns against your budget, see the current price list and our pricing guide for building a total carrying-cost comparison.
Tenure checklist before you sign
- Confirm in writing: freehold, condominium, or freehold with common elements
- Get the exact monthly fee amount and what it covers
- Ask who maintains the road, snow removal and visitor parking
- Confirm insurance requirements for the structure
- Have your lawyer review tenure clauses before the agreement is firm
Frequently asked questions
Are Vicinity's townhomes freehold?
Yes — Vicinity's townhomes are freehold, so there's no monthly condominium fee. Have your lawyer confirm the tenure provisions in your agreement.
Is a freehold townhome cheaper than a condo town?
Not automatically. Freehold towns skip the monthly condo fee but you pay all maintenance yourself. Compare total monthly carrying costs, not just the fee line.
What is a POTL fee?
A parcel of tied land fee is a small monthly charge on some freehold homes that covers shared elements like a private road or snow removal. The home is still freehold.
Do freehold towns hold value better?
Many buyers prefer no monthly fee, which can widen the resale buyer pool — but condition, location and market conditions matter more than tenure alone.