Your offer has been accepted. Now what? Here’s a look at the steps between acceptance and possession, from working through conditions to getting ready for the keys.
You’ve found a home, worked through the offer, and received the news you were hoping for: the seller has accepted.
It’s an exciting moment. It can also bring a fresh round of questions.
When do you arrange an inspection? Who contacts the lawyer? When should you book movers?
The answers depend on your purchase agreement, but knowing the general steps makes the process easier to follow. Here’s what we’ll work through together.
1. Review What You’ve Agreed To
An accepted offer gives us a set of terms and dates to work with.
We’ll review the purchase agreement together, including the deposit requirements, any conditions, and the possession date. I’ll help you understand what needs attention first and which professionals need to be involved.
Keep a copy of the agreement somewhere accessible. It’s useful to have the details in front of you when speaking with your lender, inspector, or lawyer.
If something isn’t clear, ask. This is your purchase, and you should understand what happens next.
2. Follow the Deposit Instructions
Your agreement sets out how much deposit is required and when it must be delivered.
We’ll review those instructions and confirm the appropriate next steps. Pay attention to the deadline rather than assuming the deposit can wait until your conditions are complete.
Before transferring money, verify the payment instructions directly through a trusted contact method. If instructions change unexpectedly or something feels unusual, pause and confirm.
A quick phone call is worth making when a large payment is involved.
3. Work Through Your Conditions
If your agreement includes conditions, those need attention within the agreed timelines.
Depending on the property and your offer, this could involve financing, a home inspection, a condominium document review, or other property-specific due diligence.
Each condition serves a purpose. We’ll keep track of the dates and discuss what information you’re waiting for before you decide how to proceed.
Avoid treating condition removal as routine paperwork. It’s an important decision that should reflect the advice and information you’ve received.
4. Stay in Touch With Your Mortgage Professional
If you’re financing the purchase, your lender or mortgage broker will need the information required to assess the transaction.
Respond promptly to requests for documents and ask what remains outstanding. A mortgage pre-approval is a starting point, so keep communicating until your mortgage professional has confirmed the financing arrangements for this purchase.
Before making a major purchase, changing employment, or taking on new debt, speak with them about how it could affect your application.
My role is to help coordinate the real estate side while your mortgage professional guides the financing.
5. Use the Inspection to Ask Questions
If an inspection is part of your agreement, it’s an opportunity to better understand the property’s condition.
Ask the inspector about their findings, which items deserve further assessment, and what maintenance you should plan for. Read the report and bring up anything you don’t understand.
An inspection isn’t a promise that a home will never need repairs. It helps you make a more informed decision about the property.
We’ll discuss how the findings relate to your purchase agreement and any next steps you’re considering.
6. Get Your Closing Arrangements Organized
Your lawyer handles the legal work involved in completing the purchase. Contact them early enough to understand their process, required documents, appointments, and payment instructions.
You’ll also need to organize practical details such as home insurance, utility arrangements, and your move. Confirm requirements and timing with the relevant professionals rather than leaving everything until the final week.
Keep important documents and contact information together. It’s much easier to answer a question or resolve a missing detail when you know where everything is.
7. Plan for Possession Day
As possession approaches, we’ll review the arrangements for getting access to your new home.
Confirm the timing before scheduling deliveries or assuming you can arrive first thing in the morning. Access depends on the transaction being completed and the keys being released.
Have a simple moving-day plan: essential supplies, chargers, important paperwork, and anything you’ll want before the boxes are unpacked.
Once you have access, take some time to get familiar with the home. Locate the main water shutoff, electrical panel, and other important systems. If you notice an unexpected concern, document it and contact the appropriate professional promptly.
You’ll Have Support Along the Way
There are several steps between an accepted offer and possession, but you don’t have to keep track of everything alone.
I’ll stay involved, help coordinate the details, and keep you informed about what comes next. Your lender, inspector, and lawyer each have their role, and clear communication helps everyone work toward the same goal.
Thinking about buying in Edmonton or the surrounding communities? Let’s talk about your plans and what getting started could look like.
