Published 21 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Getting pre-approved takes one to three weeks, searching anywhere from weeks to months, a conditional period typically five to ten business days, and resale closings in the GTA commonly 30 to 90 days after an offer goes firm.
There are two clocks: how long it takes to find the right home, and how long from an accepted offer to getting the keys. The first varies enormously. The second is more predictable.
Before you search: one to three weeks
- Mortgage pre-approval, with documents ready.
- Choosing an agent and signing a buyer representation agreement.
- Opening or topping up an FHSA and checking RRSP room if you’ll use the Home Buyers’ Plan.
Searching: a few weeks to several months
It depends on the market, your budget, how specific you are, and whether you are competing on offer nights. Many buyers make several offers before one is accepted.
Conditional period: typically five to ten business days
If your offer has conditions, this is when you complete financing, the inspection, the status certificate review for a condo, or insurance. Keep it short in a competitive market, but long enough to actually do the work.
Know what your home is worth
Most of these decisions come back to a number. Get a free AI estimate of your home’s value in about a minute.
Free tool — AI home value estimator
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Answer six quick questions and get an instant value range built from current Toronto & GTA sale data — property type, size, condition, lot and location all weighted the way a real pricing conversation weighs them. Takes about ninety seconds.
Reading recent GTA sale data…
Building your estimate
Estimated market value
—
$0–$0
Most likely value $0 · roughly $0 per square foot
What moved the number
Starting from the area baseline for your property type, here’s what each answer added or subtracted.
Market context
Recent local averages for comparison.
—
A range is a starting point.
A strategy is what sells.
This model doesn’t know that your neighbour’s identical semi went $80,000 over asking last month, or which two upgrades actually pay back in your area. That conversation is free and takes twenty minutes.
Waiting for closing: commonly 30 to 90 days
Resale closings in the GTA commonly fall 30 to 90 days after the deal goes firm, though they can be shorter or much longer by agreement. New construction is a different world, with closings years away.
The final weeks
- Mortgage instructions go to your lawyer.
- You sign documents and send funds a few days before closing.
- You arrange insurance, utilities and the move.
What slows people down
Late document requests from the lender, appraisals coming in low, a seller needing a longer closing, and condo status certificates that take time to arrive. Starting paperwork early removes most of these.
The takeaway
Get pre-approved with documents ready, keep conditions realistic, and choose a closing date that gives your lender and lawyer time.
Talk it through with me
Get a first-time buyer plan
Tell me your savings, income range and target area. I will send a realistic price range and next steps.
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 long does it take to close on a house in Ontario?
Commonly 30 to 90 days after an offer goes firm, but it is whatever the parties agree.
How long is the conditional period?
Typically five to ten business days, depending on the conditions and the market.
Can I close in two weeks?
Sometimes, if the seller agrees and your financing and lawyer can move that fast.
What is the fastest way to speed things up?
Get pre-approved with documents ready before you start searching.
Sources
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — mortgages — pre-approval and the mortgage process
- Real Estate Council of Ontario — the buying process
Related reading
- How to Buy a House in Toronto in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide
- What Happens on Closing Day in Ontario? A Step-by-Step Guide
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.