Read the exact clause
Headlines and summaries cannot replace the signed wording.
Your offer has been accepted
A clear path from accepted to firm.
The conditional period is where important details are confirmed. We'll help you understand the deadlines, decisions and next steps—whether you're buying or selling in Ontario.
Ontario real estateConditional period
AcceptedAgreement signed
ConditionsDetails confirmed
FirmMoving to closing
Your signed agreement sets the rules. Every deadline and next step should be confirmed with your Vidal & Co. representative.
Choose what applies to you
Two sides of the same agreement.
Select your path for the guidance, video and checklist most relevant to your role.
First, the essentials
What “conditionally accepted” means.
A conditional agreement is a signed agreement that remains subject to one or more specified conditions. The clause wording identifies who benefits, what must happen, how notice is given and the exact deadline.
There is no universal Ontario condition period. Your agreement may differ from another client's—even for a similar home.
Track the date and time
A condition deadline is precise. Treat it as a priority.
Use the right professional
Lender, inspector, lawyer and insurer each answer different questions.
Document the outcome
Follow the written notice requirements in the agreement.
Conditions are tailored
Common subjects. Specific wording.
These are examples, not a checklist every offer should contain. The right protections depend on the property, market, financing and client.
Financing
Allows time to pursue mortgage approval for the buyer and the property. The lender may review income, debt, the agreement, property value and other requirements.
Home inspection
Allows the buyer to obtain professional information about the home’s visible systems and condition, subject to the wording and scope of the agreement.
Status certificate
Allows time to obtain and review information about the condominium unit and corporation, often with legal counsel.
Sale of property
May make the purchase conditional on the buyer selling another property. These clauses can contain additional rights and deadlines that require careful review.
Insurance or insurability
May allow a buyer to confirm acceptable property insurance, particularly where age, location or property features could affect coverage.
Other due diligence
Water, septic, zoning, permits, lawyer review or another investigation may be appropriate. Conditions are not one-size-fits-all.
Buyer pathway
Use the time to confirm—not assume.
Your condition period is a focused window for completing the investigations allowed by your agreement and making informed decisions before the deadline.
Confirm the agreement and deposit instructions
Review the exact condition deadlines, deposit terms and next actions with your Vidal & Co. representative. The signed agreement—not a general timeline—controls.
Complete the lender’s property review
Send the accepted agreement and requested documents to your mortgage professional promptly. A pre-approval is not final approval of you, the mortgage or the property.
Arrange your due diligence
Complete any inspection, appraisal, insurance inquiry, well or septic review, or other investigation permitted by your agreement.
Review condominium documents, if applicable
For a resale condominium, the status certificate and supporting documents should be reviewed with your lawyer within the time allowed by your agreement.
Make an informed decision
Discuss the results with the appropriate professionals. Any request to change the agreement is a negotiation and must be documented properly.
Document the outcome before the deadline
Your representative and lawyer will guide the written notice required by your agreement. Do not rely on a verbal update or assumption.
Financing deserves special care
A pre-approval is a starting point—not a final decision.
Your lender may still verify your income, down payment and obligations, review the accepted agreement, assess the property and require an appraisal. Send documents quickly and avoid making major financial changes while approval is underway.
Seller pathway
Stay ready while the buyer confirms.
The agreement is accepted, but the buyer may still be completing financing, inspection or other agreed due diligence. We manage the timeline and keep you informed.
Know every condition and deadline
We review what the buyer must investigate, who benefits from each condition and the exact date and time for the next written step.
Support authorized access
The buyer may request access for an inspection, appraisal or another agreed purpose. Every visit is arranged through the brokerages and requires the seller’s consent.
Keep the property steady
Continue normal care, insurance and agreed obligations. Avoid making changes or removing included items while the agreement is conditional.
Consider requests carefully
An inspection or other review may lead to a proposed amendment. You are not required to accept a change simply because it is requested; we help you evaluate the options.
Wait for written confirmation
We track the deadline and communicate the documented result. A verbal message does not replace the written requirements in the agreement.
Prepare for the firm-sale stage
Once the conditions are addressed as required, the transaction moves toward closing. Other promises and obligations continue until completion.
Inspections, appraisals and access
Every visit remains scheduled and authorized.
RECO requires access to be arranged through the seller's brokerage for a specific purpose, time and duration. Lockbox codes are not given directly to buyers, inspectors or appraisers without express written consent.
Reaching the deadline
Three possible directions.
The actual result depends on the agreement. Your team will explain the available options before anything is documented.
Conditions addressed
The required written steps are completed and the transaction moves toward the firm-sale stage.
A change is proposed
One party may request an amendment or extension. It only changes the agreement if properly accepted and documented.
A condition cannot be resolved
The outcome, notices and deposit handling depend on the clause and circumstances. Immediate legal guidance may be appropriate.
Questions clients often ask
Clear answers. Careful limits.
If your agreement appears to conflict with anything here, follow the agreement and ask your representative or lawyer.
How long is a condition period in Ontario?
There is no single standard period that applies to every transaction. The exact deadline—including the date, time, wording and required notice—comes from the signed agreement.
Does a mortgage pre-approval mean financing is guaranteed?
No. Ontario’s financial-services regulator notes that a pre-approval does not guarantee final mortgage approval. The lender may still verify the buyer’s information and assess the specific property, including its value.
Can a buyer ask for changes after a home inspection?
A buyer may make a request, but that does not automatically change the agreement. The seller can consider the proposal, and any agreed change should be documented in writing with professional guidance.
Does the seller have to allow an inspection or appraisal?
Access depends on the agreement and the seller’s authorization. RECO requires property access to be scheduled and confirmed through the seller’s brokerage for a specific purpose, time and duration.
What happens if a condition is not satisfied by the deadline?
The result depends on the precise clause, the notices provided and the rest of the agreement. Contact your Vidal & Co. representative and lawyer immediately rather than assuming the transaction ends or continues automatically.
When is the sale considered firm?
A transaction is commonly described as firm when its conditions have been addressed in the manner required by the agreement. The sale has not closed yet—both parties still have obligations leading to completion.
What happens to the deposit if a transaction does not proceed?
Deposit handling depends on the agreement, the circumstances and applicable legal processes. Funds held in trust are not necessarily released automatically. The parties should obtain legal advice.
Can the buyer and seller change a deadline?
They may agree to a written amendment, but neither party should assume an extension exists until it has been properly documented and accepted.
You do not have to navigate this alone
The right professional, at the right moment.
Vidal & Co.
Coordinates the timeline, communication and real-estate strategy.
Legal counsel
Advises on legal rights, clauses, notices, amendments and deposit issues.
Mortgage professional
Guides financing approval, lender documents and property requirements.
Inspector & specialists
Provide property-specific findings within their professional scope.
Need an introduction? We can connect you with trusted Ottawa legal, mortgage, inspection and insurance professionals.
Ask Vidal & Co.Authoritative resources
Learn from the Ontario organizations responsible.
RECOBuyer's checklistRECOHome inspectionsRECOAuthorized property accessFSRAMortgage application processCAOStatus certificates
General educational information for Ontario resale transactions. Last reviewed July 2026. Not legal, lending, inspection, insurance, tax or accounting advice.