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Step 5
This is the moment everything has been building toward. An offer has arrived — or perhaps several have. Your RE/MAX Garden City agent will walk you through every detail, but understanding the anatomy of a strong offer will help you make confident, informed decisions.
Not all offers are created equal. Price is the most visible element, but experienced sellers know to look deeper. Here is what distinguishes a strong offer from a weak one.
A strong deposit (typically 3-5% of the purchase price) demonstrates financial commitment. A buyer who puts $15,000 down on a $500,000 home is signaling that they are serious and have the resources to close. A minimal deposit — say $1,000 — may indicate uncertainty.
Few or no conditions mean the deal is more likely to close. A firm (unconditional) offer eliminates the risk of the buyer walking away during a condition period. However, even conditional offers can be strong if the conditions are standard (financing and inspection) and the timelines are short (5 to 7 business days).
A flexible closing date that aligns with your plans can be worth thousands of dollars, especially if it saves you from carrying two mortgages or renting temporary accommodations.
Pre-approval documentation from a reputable lender indicates the buyer has been vetted financially. Ask your agent to confirm the buyer's pre-approval status.
An offer with a sale-of-property condition introduces the most uncertainty — you are essentially waiting for the buyer to sell their home before yours can close. Multiple overlapping conditions with long timelines (10+ business days each) delay your certainty. Below-market deposits or requests for significant seller concessions (furniture, appliances, closing cost contributions) may indicate a buyer who is stretching beyond their means.
A weaker offer is not necessarily a bad offer. Your agent can negotiate to strengthen the terms — shortening condition periods, increasing the deposit, or removing problematic clauses.
Receiving multiple offers is an exciting position to be in, and your agent will ensure the process is handled professionally and transparently. In Ontario, when multiple offers are received, the listing agent is required to inform all buyer agents that a multiple-offer situation exists. You then have several options.
You can review all offers and accept the strongest one outright. You can send all buyers back to improve their offers (each buyer knows they are competing but does not see the other offers). Or you can counter one specific offer while holding the others. Your agent will recommend the approach most likely to produce the best result for your situation.
Negotiation is not about winning and losing — it is about finding terms that work for both sides while maximizing your outcome. Your RE/MAX Garden City agent brings years of local market experience to the table. They know how to read buyer motivation, when to hold firm, and when a small concession on your part can secure a significantly better overall deal.
Some practical negotiation tips: do not take low offers personally — counter professionally and let the numbers do the talking. Consider the full package, not just the price. An offer that is $10,000 lower but firm and flexible on closing may net you more than a higher offer with risky conditions. Set clear boundaries before negotiations begin so you know your walk-away point. Trust your agent's read on the situation — they have seen hundreds of transactions and can spot red flags that are not obvious to most sellers.
For any offer received, you can accept it as written, reject it outright, or present a counter-offer with modified terms. Your agent will explain the strategic implications of each choice and help you craft a response that keeps the deal moving forward while protecting your interests.