What happens after your offer is accepted on a house in Ontario? For most buyers, the period between an accepted offer and closing day is equal parts exciting and anxiety-inducing. The next several weeks involve lawyers, lenders, inspectors, and a series of deadlines that must be met in the right order. This week-by-week timeline will help you understand exactly what’s coming and when — so you can stay calm, stay organized, and close with confidence.

What Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted on a House in Ontario: A Week-by-Week Timeline

The typical closing timeline in Ontario is 30 to 90 days, though it varies based on what you and the seller negotiated. Most resale transactions in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Durham Region close in 30 to 60 days. Here’s what happens after offer accepted on house Ontario buyers can expect at each stage.

Day 1 to 3: Deposit, Conditions, and Notifying Your Team

Submit your deposit. In Ontario, you typically have 24 hours from acceptance to deliver your deposit (unless otherwise stated in the offer). This is a bank draft or certified cheque made out to the listing brokerage — not the seller. It’s held in trust until closing. Missing the deposit deadline can put your purchase at risk, so prioritize this immediately.

Notify your mortgage broker or lender. Send the accepted offer to your mortgage broker immediately. They’ll need it to begin the formal mortgage application and appraisal process. If you have a mortgage pre-approval, this is when it gets converted into a formal commitment.

Retain your real estate lawyer. If you don’t already have a lawyer lined up, secure one now. Your lawyer will review the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and begin title searches, which take time. Every day of delay in retaining a lawyer is a day lost in your closing preparation.

Days 3 to 7: Fulfilling Conditions

Home inspection (if included as a condition). Schedule your home inspection immediately — inspectors in the Durham Region market can be booked out several days. The inspection typically takes 2 to 3 hours and should be attended by you if possible. You’ll receive a written report within 24 hours. Review it carefully with your agent to determine if any issues require renegotiation or — in extreme cases — termination of the deal.

Mortgage condition. Your lender has a set period (typically 5 to 7 business days) to approve your mortgage on the specific property. They may send an appraiser to confirm the property’s value supports the purchase price. Keep all financial documents organized and respond to lender requests immediately. Delays here can jeopardize your condition deadline.

Status certificate review (for condos). If you’re buying a condo, this is when your lawyer reviews the status certificate. This review period is typically 10 business days and runs concurrently with other conditions. Your lawyer will flag any issues with the condo corporation’s finances, reserve fund, or by-laws.

Week 2: Waiving Conditions and Going Firm

Once you’ve completed your inspection, obtained your mortgage approval, and reviewed the status certificate (for condos), it’s time to waive your conditions in writing. This is a significant moment — the deal is now “firm and binding.” Once conditions are waived, you cannot back out without losing your deposit and potentially facing legal action for breach of contract.

If any condition reveals a serious problem — a failed inspection item, a mortgage refusal, or a disqualifying finding in the status certificate — you can terminate the deal and recover your deposit before waiving. Don’t feel pressure to waive conditions if something concerning has been discovered. Talk to your agent and lawyer first.

Weeks 2 to 4: Mortgage Preparation and Lawyer Work

Mortgage commitment and final approval. After waiving conditions, your lender finalizes the mortgage. They’ll issue a commitment letter and eventually send mortgage instructions to your lawyer. You’ll also complete a mortgage application with your lawyer, who will confirm and register the mortgage on title at closing.

Title search and insurance. Your lawyer conducts a title search to verify the seller has clear legal ownership and to identify any encumbrances, liens, or issues that could affect your ownership rights. Most buyers in Ontario purchase title insurance, which protects against title defects discovered after closing. Your lawyer will advise on whether title insurance is recommended in your specific case.

Home insurance. Your lender will require proof of home insurance before advancing the mortgage funds. Arrange your home insurance well before closing — insurers may decline coverage for some properties or require additional inspections. For older homes, leave extra time for this step.

1 to 2 Weeks Before Closing: Final Preparations

Statement of adjustments. Your lawyer will prepare a Statement of Adjustments — a document that calculates the exact amount of money you’ll need at closing after accounting for deposits already paid, property tax adjustments, and other credits and debits. Review this carefully and verify the numbers with your lawyer.

Arrange the closing funds. You’ll need to have certified funds (bank draft or wire transfer) ready for your lawyer a day or two before closing. Confirm the exact amount well in advance — you’ll need to cover the balance of the purchase price not covered by your mortgage, land transfer tax, legal fees, and adjustments.

Final walk-through. You’re generally entitled to a final walk-through of the property within 24 to 48 hours of closing to confirm it’s in the same condition as when you bought it and that any agreed-upon repairs have been made. Do not skip this step — it’s your last chance to identify issues before the property becomes yours.

Closing Day: What Actually Happens

On closing day, the lawyers handle everything between themselves and the lender. Your lawyer registers the deed and mortgage at the land registry, funds are exchanged, and title transfers to your name. This usually happens sometime during business hours — you won’t typically have the keys until later in the day (often 4 to 5 PM) even if the deal was supposed to “close” at noon.

Once your lawyer confirms the deal has closed and registers your title, your agent or the listing brokerage will release the keys to you.

Ontario-Specific Tips for a Smooth Closing

• Land transfer tax: Ontario has both a provincial and (for Toronto buyers) a municipal land transfer tax. Durham Region buyers pay only the provincial tax — but it’s substantial. Budget for this as part of your closing costs.
• First-time buyer rebates: If this is your first home purchase in Ontario, you may qualify for a rebate on land transfer tax. Confirm eligibility with your lawyer.
• Bridge financing: If you’re buying before selling, you may need bridge financing to cover the overlap period. Arrange this through your mortgage broker well in advance.
• Wiring funds safely: Fraud targeting real estate closings is unfortunately common in Ontario. Never wire funds without directly verifying the destination with your lawyer by phone — never via email instructions alone.

Closing Costs to Budget For in Ontario

• Provincial land transfer tax: Approximately 1.5% on typical Durham Region home prices
• Legal fees: $1,500 to $2,500 plus disbursements
• Title insurance: $300 to $400 typically
• Home inspection: $400 to $600
• Moving costs: Variable
• Adjustments (property tax, utilities): Variable

Summary: The Post-Offer Timeline

Now you know what happens after your offer is accepted on a house in Ontario — from the initial deposit to walking through the door with your keys. The process is manageable when you know what’s coming and have the right professionals on your side.

At Team Rajpal, we guide every buyer through this process step by step — from the accepted offer all the way to closing day and beyond. If you’re buying in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, or anywhere across Durham Region, contact us and let’s talk about what you need to know before you make your next move.

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