Published 16 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
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To win a bidding war in Toronto without overpaying: get a full mortgage approval, inspect or review documents before the offer date, set your walk-away price from sold comparables, offer a strong deposit and flexible closing date, keep conditions to a minimum you can safely handle, and have your agent confirm how offers will be handled. In 2026 many GTA homes sold below asking, so make sure there is real competition first.
First, is there really a bidding war?
In August 2026 GTA homes averaged 97% of asking and City of Toronto condos 96%. Many “offer dates” end with one or two offers. Ask how many showings and registered offers there are before stretching.
Prepare before the offer date
- Full mortgage approval, not just a pre-approval.
- Pre-offer home inspection or review the seller’s report.
- Status certificate reviewed by your lawyer for condos.
- Deposit ready as a bank draft or certified funds.
Terms that matter besides price
| Term | Why sellers care |
|---|---|
| Clean or minimal conditions | Certainty the deal will close |
| Larger deposit | Signals commitment |
| Flexible closing date | Fits the seller’s next move |
| Few inclusions requested | Less friction |
| Professional presentation | Seller’s agent can recommend it confidently |
Set your ceiling
Use the calculator to confirm the maximum you can carry, then set a walk-away price at or below it based on sold comparables.
Free tool — what can you actually afford here?
Rules to know in Ontario
Under TRESA, sellers decide whether competing offer details are disclosed, and buyers who submitted written offers can ask RECO how many were received. Read competing offers and disclosure and bully offers.
Where I fit
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty. I help buyers across Toronto and the GTA prepare for offer dates, find out how much competition there really is, and set a price based on sold comparables so they compete with confidence.
The takeaway
Win bidding wars with preparation and terms, not just price: full approval, pre-offer inspection or document review, a solid deposit, flexible closing and a walk-away number grounded in sold comparables. And confirm the competition is real before you stretch.
Talk it through with me
Heading into an offer date?
Send the listing. I will send sold comparables and a suggested offer strategy.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.
Frequently asked questions
How do I win a bidding war in Toronto?
Prepare financing and inspections in advance, set a walk-away price from sold comparables, and strengthen terms like deposit, conditions and closing date.
Should I waive conditions to win?
Only if you have done the work first, such as full mortgage approval and a pre-offer inspection.
Can I find out how many offers there were?
Buyers who submitted written offers can ask RECO for the number of offers received.
Do sellers always take the highest offer?
No. Certainty, deposit, conditions and closing date also matter.
Are there still bidding wars in Toronto in 2026?
Some, especially for scarce well-priced homes, but GTA homes averaged 97% of asking in August 2026.
What if I pay more than the appraisal?
You may need to cover the difference in cash if the lender appraises lower.
Sources
- TRREB Market Watch, August 2026 — district tables W06, W07 and W08 for all home types, detached and condo apartment, plus the MLS® HPI benchmark page. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) — public register of registrants, registration categories and disciplinary decisions. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 — the statute governing Ontario real estate registrants, in force in its current form since 1 December 2023. Accessed 16 September 2026.
Related reading
- Escalation Clauses in Ontario Offers: How They Work and the Risks
- How much over asking to offer
- What conditions to put in an offer
- Hold offers or accept anytime
- What a pre-approval guarantees
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.