Ask a Wahi REALTOR®: How Do You Handle Buyers Who Might Feel Pressured to Waive Conditions?

Here’s what Wahi Broker of Record Anne Alkok tells homebuyers who might feel pressure to waive conditions during negotiations with the seller.

By Josh Sherman | 2 minute read

More often than not, stepping on the property ladder is a worthwhile experience in the end. Just look at the results of a 2024 Wahi survey: 76% of Canadians who purchased a home in the past five years have no regrets at all.

Although recently minted homeowners appear satisfied after the fact, the homebuying process itself can sometimes be a high-pressure experience. There’s a lot to contend with, from the competitiveness of bidding and the nail-biting negotiations to the uncertainty of whether a seller will accept an offer or counteroffer.

One of the most common pressure points relates to conditions, which are clauses in a real estate contract that must be satisfied before a deal goes firm. Some common examples of conditions include a financing condition, which lets a homebuyer walk away from a deal penalty-free if they aren’t able to secure an appropriate mortgage, or a home-inspection condition, through which the buyer has the opportunity to have the property professionally inspected to understand its current condition.

While these clauses are meant to protect the interested party, they can become a source of anxiety when buyers feel pressure from sellers to waive conditions — but they don’t have to be. Below, Wahi Broker of Record Anne Alkok tells us how she handles buyers who might feel pressured to waive conditions.

1. Prepare in advance.

Don’t leave anything to chance. Ensure that your financial situation has been fully reviewed by your lender and that you have a solid budget in place. Set aside time to understand current market trends — whether home prices are rising or falling in your area — and ask your agent to prepare a comparative market analysis (CMA) so you know what the property’s true market value is.

“If you’re shopping in a competitive market, explore whether it’s possible to arrange a home inspection before submitting an offer. That way, you can make a more confident decision without giving up important protections,” says Alkok.

Being proactive puts you in the best position to make an informed, confident offer — one that protects your interests while keeping you competitive.

2. Pause and talk to your real estate agent.

Your Realtor may be able to help you find alternatives to strengthen your initial offer without sacrificing safeguard conditions. For instance, you could shorten the conditional period instead of removing it entirely, propose a bigger deposit, or even write the seller a personal note — sometimes called a dear seller letter — that tells your story and highlights your commitment. Emotional appeals like a dear seller letter can be surprisingly effective, particularly if your offer is being seriously considered.

3. Understand the risks and implications.  

Before waiving any conditions, take time to understand any possible risks and implications. Around the last peak in the Canadian housing market during the pandemic, one Ontario family who waived conditions discovered they were out more than $100,000 for issues that a home inspection likely would have discovered for a few hundred dollars. Conditions allow you to confirm that the home meets your expectations and you are able to finance the purchase before you’re fully committed. Once conditions are removed, you are contractually bound to complete the purchase according to the agreed-upon terms.