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Guide · Offer to close
Offer to close: your step-by-step play
Decode conditions, counter like a pro, manage timelines, and get to possession day with fewer surprises. This guide walks you through the path from first offer to keys changing hands.
You can also use AI tools to help you summarize long clauses, translate legal language into plain English, and prepare questions for your lawyer. AI is a helpful second set of eyes — but it doesn’t replace personalized legal advice.
Keep this handy as you review offers, counters, and conditions.
Decode the offer and its conditions
An offer is more than just the price. Before you say yes (or no), break it down into the moving parts: money, timing, and conditions. That’s how you decide if it truly works for you.
1.1 Know the core terms
- • Purchase price and deposit amount.
- • Deposit due date and where it will be held.
- • Proposed possession / completion date.
- • Items included or excluded (appliances, window coverings, etc.).
1.2 Understand common conditions
- • Financing: buyer needs lender approval before going firm.
- • Home inspection: buyer can inspect and request repairs or walk away.
- • Sale of buyer’s property: their home must sell first.
- • Lawyer review / documents: review of condo docs, title, or contracts.
Offer review tip
Read every offer slowly and out loud, and keep notes on what you like, what you’re unsure about, and what must change before you’d say yes. This makes your counter clear and focused.
Counter like a pro (without over-complicating it)
Counter-offers don’t have to be dramatic. Often you’re adjusting one or two levers — price, dates, or conditions — to land on a deal that works for both sides.
2.1 Decide what matters most
- • Rank what’s most important: price, timing, or certainty.
- • Decide your “walk-away” points before you respond.
- • Consider small concessions that make a big difference to the buyer (e.g., including appliances).
2.2 Keep counters clean and specific
- • Change only what you need to: price, dates, or certain conditions.
- • Avoid adding new complications at the last minute.
- • Confirm any verbal discussion in writing before signing.
Negotiation tip
It’s normal to feel emotional here. Take a short pause before you reply, review your numbers, and make sure your counter still lines up with your overall pricing and moving plan.
From accepted offer to possession day
Once you have an accepted offer, your job shifts to tracking deadlines and paperwork. A calm, organized approach here prevents last-minute stress.
3.1 Track key milestones
- • Deposit due date and confirmation it’s received.
- • Condition deadline(s) and when they’re removed in writing.
- • Lawyer / notary appointment dates.
- • Possession and key handover time.
3.2 Plan your move-out and handover
- • Book movers or trucks with the closing date in mind.
- • Arrange utilities, mail forwarding, and insurance changes.
- • Do a final clean and remove any excluded items before possession.
Legal & closing tip
Your lawyer or notary is there to protect your interests on the legal side — but they can’t read your mind. Share the signed offer, any amendments, and special promises early so there are no surprises on closing day.
Offer-to-close timeline planner
Use this simple framework to map out your key dates. You can copy this into a calendar, spreadsheet, or the offer-to-close checklist.
Offer & conditions
- □ Date offer received: ______________________
- □ Date offer accepted / countered: ___________
- □ Deposit due by: __________________________
- □ Financing condition deadline: ______________
- □ Inspection condition deadline: _____________
- □ Other condition deadlines: _________________
- □ Date conditions removed in writing: _________
Closing & possession
- □ Lawyer / notary selected and booked.
- □ Closing date: ____________________________
- □ Possession date & time: __________________
- □ Movers / truck booked for: ________________
- □ Utilities and services change-over arranged.
- □ Final clean and key handover plan set.
Dates and requirements can vary by province and contract. Always follow the instructions in your signed agreement and any guidance from your lawyer or notary.