A conditionally sold home is not fully sold yet. The buyer has conditions to satisfy, such as financing or a home inspection, and the deal can still fall through. Until those conditions are waived (5-7 days), the listing remains visible to show the home is not yet firm.

“New” often reflects a change to the listing, not a brand-new sale. This can include a price adjustment, a new listing agent, a relisting after a brief pause, or a switch from conditional back to active. REALTOR.ca resets the label based on listing activity, not how long the home has existed.

Price changes usually reflect feedback from the market. If buyer interest is lower or showings are not converting into offers, sellers may adjust to better align with what buyers are willing to pay. Sometimes prices also change after inspections, failed offers, or shifting market conditions

A slower market does not automatically mean sellers are willing to accept any price. Many owners have a clear bottom line and will delay selling rather than take a larger loss or disruption. That keeps prices from falling as sharply as some buyers expect (or hope for), even when activity feels quiet.

Online estimates rely on automated data and cannot see condition, layout, renovations, or location nuances. They are a rough starting point, not a valuation. Actual sale prices reflect what real buyers are willing to pay for a specific home at a specific time.

A seller is not required to counter an offer. Sometimes the gap between price or terms is too large, or the seller prefers to wait for another buyer. Silence often reflects strategy, not emotion or judgment.

An offer date reflects the seller’s written instructions to their brokerage at that time. A seller can change those instructions, but it must be done in writing, and anyone who has made their interest in the property known must be informed of the change. Once that notice has been properly given, the seller is allowed to consider and accept an offer before the originally advertised date.

No. A home inspection allows the buyer to decide whether to proceed under the agreed price and terms. If a buyer asks for repairs or a price adjustment, that is a request to renegotiate, not a requirement. The seller can agree, counter, or refuse, and any changes must be accepted by both parties in writing for the deal to move forward.

Conditions exist to give buyers time to confirm things they cannot fully know at the offer stage, such as financing approval or inspection results. During that period, buyers are expected to act in good faith and make a genuine effort to move the deal forward. Conditions are not designed as a loophole to walk away from a deal due to buyer’s remorse, and using them this way may expose a buyer to risk, including legal consequences.

Deposits are held in trust, most often by the listing brokerage, and are not released automatically. In Ontario, these trust accounts are insured through RECO for eligible claims up to $200,000 per deposit, and funds are only paid out on closing or with proper legal direction. Working with a reputable brokerage helps ensure these safeguards are followed correctly.

A deposit is at risk once all conditions are fulfilled and the deal becomes firm. If a buyer then fails to close without a legal excuse, the seller may have a claim to the deposit. This is why buyers should only firm up when they are fully comfortable and have completed all their due diligence.

Deposits show commitment and reduce the seller’s risk. In competitive markets, larger deposits signal seriousness and financial stability. They also help compensate a seller if a firm deal collapses.

Deposits are typically due within 24-48 hours to confirm the buyer’s intent and ability to proceed. This protects the seller from losing time if a buyer is not able or willing to follow through. Quick deposits are standard practice, not a pressure tactic.