Published 16 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
The most common conditions in an Ontario offer are financing, home inspection, status certificate review for condos, lawyer’s review, and sale of the buyer’s own home. Each gives you a set number of days, often about five business days, to satisfy or waive it, or the deal can end. In competitive situations buyers sometimes waive them, but only do so after doing the work in advance.
The five common conditions
| Condition | What it protects | Typical period | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financing | You cannot close if the mortgage is not approved | About 5 business days | wording |
| Home inspection | Hidden defects | About 5 business days | wording |
| Status certificate (condo) | Reserve fund, fees, legal issues | About 5 business days after receipt | wording |
| Lawyer’s review | Legal problems in the agreement | Short, often 2–3 business days | wording |
| Sale of buyer’s property | Owning two homes | Longer, often weeks, with an escape clause | Negotiated |
Periods are negotiated in each agreement; the standard forms are published by OREA.
How sellers see conditions
A conditional offer is less certain than a firm one, so sellers may prefer a slightly lower firm offer. In a slower market with many listings, reasonable conditions are normal. In August 2026 GTA homes averaged 97% of asking and 35 days on market, which gave many buyers room to keep conditions.
Doing the work before an offer date
- Get a full mortgage approval, not just a pre-approval.
- Book a pre-offer inspection or review the seller’s inspection report.
- For condos, read the status certificate before offering if available.
- Have your lawyer review the schedules in advance.
Selling first? Know your number
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Market context
Recent local averages for comparison.
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Other conditions worth knowing
Insurance, survey, zoning, well and septic for rural properties, and documentation review. See the insurance condition and documentation review condition.
Where I fit
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty. I help buyers across Toronto and the GTA decide which conditions to keep and how to stay competitive without taking blind risks.
The takeaway
Financing, inspection, status certificate, lawyer review and sale of your home are the main Ontario offer conditions, usually lasting a few business days. Keep the ones you cannot afford to lose; if you must compete firm, do the financing, inspection and document work before the offer date.
Talk it through with me
Should you keep conditions on this home?
Send the listing and your situation. I will tell you which conditions I would keep and why.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.
Frequently asked questions
What conditions should I put in an offer in Ontario?
Usually financing, home inspection, and status certificate review for condos, plus lawyer’s review or sale of your own home where needed.
How long does a condition last in Ontario?
It is negotiated, often about five business days for financing, inspection and status certificate conditions.
Is it risky to waive the financing condition?
Yes. If financing fails after you go firm, you must still close or risk losing your deposit and being sued.
Can a seller reject a conditional offer?
Yes. Sellers can accept, reject or counter any offer.
What is a sale of buyer’s property condition?
It makes the purchase depend on selling your current home, often with an escape clause letting the seller keep marketing.
Do condo buyers need a status certificate condition?
It is strongly recommended unless you have reviewed the certificate before offering.
Sources
- Ontario Real Estate Association — publisher of the standard Agreement of Purchase and Sale forms used in most Ontario resale transactions. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) — public register of registrants, registration categories and disciplinary decisions. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- RECO — information for buyers and sellers — consumer guidance on buying and selling, deposits and representation. Accessed 16 September 2026.
Related reading
- How long a conditional offer lasts
- Can a buyer back out of an accepted offer?
- What to look for in a status certificate
- How much over asking to offer
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA, with deep local knowledge of the west end. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Every market figure here comes from TRREB’s published tables and every rule from RECO or Ontario legislation, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at connect@jatindua.com or 833-330-1925, or book a call.