Pre-Construction Deposit Calculator
See the full cash plan for a new tower's pre-construction deposit structure, and run it before you sign a reservation.
What This Calculator Does
Enter a new-build deposit plan and get your cash timeline. Every installment shows up with the running total you've paid. You also see what's left at closing, split between mortgage and cash, and how much sits above Florida's 10% escrow threshold.
Who Is This For
Weighing a new tower? Start here. If your money comes from abroad, line up each currency transfer with the construction milestone it pays for. Investing instead? Compare tying up cash in a unit that's still going up with other places that capital could go.
How It Works
Pick the property type, condo or house. Add the purchase price, plus a reservation deposit if you put one down. From there, take the typical South Florida plan or key in the deposits your own contract sets, each as a percent or a dollar figure with its due month. Last, set your expected closing month and what percent of the price the mortgage will carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a typical pre-construction deposit structure look like?
It varies by developer and by building. Payments often fall at signing, at groundbreaking, at a milestone partway through construction, and at closing. Treat that as a sketch. Plan from the contract you're actually offered, since a generic estimate won't match it.
Why do you pay more before closing than on a resale?
Because developers often cover part of construction with buyer deposits. So a preconstruction purchase often asks for a bigger share of the price before delivery than a typical resale does.
Where is my deposit kept during construction?
Usually in escrow, on terms set by your contract and by the law that governs it. After certain conditions are satisfied, the developer may be allowed to draw part of that money for construction. Check the escrow section of your contract so you know exactly when.
What costs come on top of the payment schedule?
Charges from the developer, often, plus the documentary stamp tax owed on the deed. At a new-build closing, those come on top of what a buyer normally pays. Get a written closing-cost estimate before you sign.