Ask a Wahi REALTOR®: When Should a Buyer Walk Away From a Deal

So you’ve agreed on a price with the seller. It’s full steam ahead, right? Not so fast—here are five reasons to consider walking away from a deal.

By Josh Sherman | 2 minute read

Getting on the same page about a property’s sale price is a critical step towards owning your next home. However, reaching this landmark doesn’t always mean you should move ahead with the deal. There are several instances that should inspire reflection and, potentially, the decision to walk away.

In the latest instalment of Ask a Wahi Realtor, we consult Wahi Broker of Record Anne Alkok on when a buyer should walk away from a deal. (Note that walking away from a deal after an agreement to purchase has been signed can be incredibly costly. You’ll lose your deposit and the seller could also sue you. That’s why it’s best to include a number of conditions in your offer, such as a home inspection clause, as you’ll learn from this article.)

Here are five legitimate reasons for a buyer to walk away from a deal.

1. The home inspection reveals major issues. 

Every homebuyer should have a home inspection as a condition in their purchase offer. Most commonly, the buyer foots the bill for an inspection, which provides a detailed overview of the property and any potential issues. It’s not unusual for a home inspection to reveal certain problems, but major issues such give the buyer pause. These could include signs of structural movement, foundation problems, failing septic systems, severe water damage or mould, and more. “Costs related to deferred maintenance on the part of the current owner can rapidly turn what seems to be a good deal into a financial nightmare,” says Alkok.

2. Your financing changes (or the list price no longer makes sense). 

If the appraised value of the property comes in lower than expected, or the monthly payments are too much of a stretch for your budget, it may be time to walk away — even if you’re emotionally attached to the property. In all likelihood, you do not want to join the ranks of the one-in-four Canadians who identify as house poor, which includes homeowners who spend more than 30% of their income on housing. 

The same is true if the market value is no longer consistent with the purchase price. “If recent comparable sales or fast-changing market conditions suggest the buyer is materially overpaying, walking away may be the smart move,” says Alkok. Greater Toronto Area homebuyers can keep up to date with the latest data by using Wahi. For example, using the latest data, the digital real estate platform’s Market Pulse tool tells homebuyers whether certain neighbourhoods favour buyers or sellers. 

3. The seller isn’t being up front 

“Real estate transactions require trust,” says Alkok. “Once that starts eroding, buyers should pay attention.” If you discover undisclosed defects or any seemingly intentionally hidden damage, you may want to back away. The same goes for if you’re receiving inconsistent answers from the seller, they’re trying to pressure you excessively into signing a purchase agreement, or they’re being otherwise evasive in any way.

4. The condo status certificate reveals issues 

When making an offer on a condo unit, Ontario homebuyers should request a status certificate. The status certificate, which often runs hundreds of pages, includes lots of important information about the unit as well the overall financial health of the condo corporation. Through this documentation, you can learn about the condo corporation’s reserve fund, maintenance fees, any pending litigation, and much, much more. When reviewing the document, you may discover that the unit you’re about to purchase has an outstanding special assessment, which is a one-time charge levied on owners to cover costs that exceed what is available in the condo corporations operating or reserve accounts.

5. Insurance becomes difficult or expensive  

“Some homes are problematic to insure due to old age, prior claims, or even location,” says Alkok. In extreme cases, insurers may be unwilling to insure a home at all. In other cases, the risk of certain natural disasters — such as homes located in a flood zone or in areas particularly exposed to seasonal wildfires — may push insurance premiums beyond what you can afford. Home insurance can have real implications for overall affordability.  A recent joint study between Wahi and MyChoice, a top insurance-rate aggregator found that, since 2024, home insurance rates have surged by 20% or more in some of Ontario’s most flood-prone housing markets.

Ultimately, it’s important to ensure that your offer includes conditions to safeguard against facing any penalties related to walking away. “These conditions will afford you the time to do your due diligence before the deal goes firm,” says Alkok.