What Really Happens After You Accept an Offer on Your Home? A Step-by-Step Guide for Ontario Sellers

You’ve cleaned, decluttered, staged, and opened your doors to potential buyers. And now, after weeks (or maybe days) of showings, you’ve finally accepted an offer. It feels like the finish line, but if you’re selling a home in the East GTA, Durham Region, or Northumberland, there are still several critical steps before your sale is officially complete.

At Team Prata Real Estate, we work with sellers every day who are excited to have an offer in hand, but unsure of what comes next. Here’s what you can actually expect once that offer is signed no fluff, no confusion, just the facts based on Ontario real estate practices.

1. Conditional Period: The Deal Isn’t Firm Yet

Most offers in Ontario come with conditions. Common ones include financing, a home inspection, or  in the case of condos , a review of the status certificate. This conditional period typically lasts 5 to 10 business days. During this time, the buyer is doing their due diligence, and technically the deal can still fall apart.

2. Home Inspection: A Closer Look Inside

If the buyer includes a home inspection clause, they’ll schedule a licensed inspector to examine the property. This usually takes a couple of hours. It’s not a test you “pass” or “fail” it’s simply a review of the home’s condition.

Sometimes small issues come up. If they do, the buyer may request a repair or a price adjustment. As your agents, we’ll negotiate those conversations carefully. Not everything requires a fix, but certain items might need attention to keep the deal moving forward.

3. Appraisal and Financing

Once the inspection is satisfied, the buyer’s lender may order an appraisal to confirm the property’s value. Appraisals can be a formality, but if the home is priced aggressively or the offer was above asking, this becomes a key step.

If the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, we may need to re-negotiate. That’s where strong representation matters and we’re here to guide you through it.

4. Firm Deal: Time to Breathe (Almost)

Once all conditions are waived in writing, the deal becomes firm. That means both parties are locked in and fully committed. At this point, it's safe to start packing and preparing for your move.

You’ll also want to notify your lawyer, begin transferring utilities, and schedule your final clean-out. If you’re buying another home, timelines should align and we help with that coordination every step of the way.

5. Final Walkthrough and Closing Day

A few days before closing, the buyer may request a final walkthrough. This is their opportunity to ensure the home is in the same condition as when they made the offer. You don’t need to repaint walls or make the house perfect, but you do need to leave it clean, safe, and in the agreed-upon condition.

On closing day, your lawyer will finalize the paperwork, the buyer’s funds are transferred, and title changes hands through Ontario’s land registry. Once that happens, you hand over the keys and it’s officially sold.

Selling in the East GTA, Durham, or Northumberland? Here’s What You Should Know

Every region has its nuances, but the fundamentals of selling in Ontario remain consistent. Whether you're in Pickering or Port Hope, Bowmanville or Cobourg, the key to a smooth closing lies in preparation, guidance, and proactive communication.

That’s exactly what we offer at Team Prata Real Estate.

We help sellers understand every step of the process from listing to sold with clarity, confidence, and compassion. We’re not here to rush you. We’re here to guide you.

Final Thoughts

Accepting an offer is a big deal, but it’s not the end of the journey. The days and weeks that follow can be just as important and that’s where the right team makes all the difference.

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the East GTA, Durham Region, or Northumberland, or if you’ve accepted an offer and have questions about what’s next, we’d love to help.

Let’s make your sale smooth, stress-free, and successful from first showing to final key hand-off.