Accepting a Conditional Offer on your property? Consider these 5 things

November 25, 2022

Receiving an offer is exciting, especially when it's within your ideal price range, but how do you evaluate a conditional offer house?

 

And what is a conditional offer really? A common type of conditional offer is one with an SBP clause, which stands for Subject to the Buyer selling their Property. This conditional offer means that your sale relies on the buyer making a sale.


Accepting an offer with an SBP clause can significantly delay completing your sale. So let’s explore how you can navigate the conditional offer meaning beyond the fine print — how does it look in practice?


Here is Amy Flowers sharing her thoughts on conditional offers with SBP clauses

1. Consider Overall Market Activity

How many showings have you had? Are you in a buyer’s or seller's market? Conditional offers with an SBP clause mean your market conditions will similarly apply to the buyer’s sales process.

2. What is the Buyer Selling?

If the buyer is selling a property similar to yours, they’ll face the same market conditions you’ve been facing. Alternatively, if they’re selling a townhouse, it might sell quickly. Conversely, it might take much longer to find a potential buyer if they're selling a multi-million dollar property.

3. Is The Buyer’s Property Sales-Ready?

What is a conditional offer beyond the numbers and property type? First, you’ll need to consider how far along they are in making their home sales-ready. Do they have decades of clutter to sort through and move out? Are there any necessary repairs? Has the property inspection been done and has it been appraised?

 

A delay in these factors can significantly complicate closing your sale, as they’ll have plenty of work today before their first showing. Conditional offers to purchase examples are filled with cautionary tales of looking only at the property type and value rather than the overall sales process.

4. How Will The Buyer Price Their Property?

Property pricing is a vital aspect of selling a home. Is the buyer going to price competitively to attract the most buyers possible or price above average to get the most for their home?

 

If the buyer prices their home improperly, you’ll be stuck waiting to make your own sale.

5. Who is the Agent Selling the Buyer’s House?

Real estate agents play an essential role in selling a home. Who is your buyer working with to make their sale? What is their track record, and do they have experience in current market conditions? Are you confident they’ll be able to make the sale?



You can see how accepting a conditional offer with an SBP clause adds a new level of complexity to finalizing your sale. However, it can still be worth accepting the offer if everything discussed above looks favorable. Thoroughly evaluate the entire situation and make an informed decision before accepting any conditional offers.

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Newsletter Signup

Flowers Team News

Aerial view of a forested neighborhood with homes and lawns amid dense green trees under a cloudy sky
By Amy Flowers | Flowers Team Real Estate August 24, 2026
Ennisclare Woods is a 29-home estate community in rural Milton with 90 acres of shared woodland. Learn how the common land, fees and trails work. Book a review.
Modern brick townhouse row with balconies, garages, and a tree-lined street in front
By Amy Flowers August 21, 2026
Willmott is south Milton’s sports neighbourhood: modern detached homes, walkable schools, the Milton Sports Centre and the hospital. See who it really suits.
Modern apartment building with a green lawn and outdoor patio seating under a clear blue sky
By Amy Flowers August 21, 2026
Walker sits on Milton's western edge with open Escarpment views, the fastest run to Burlington, and the Education Village next door. An honest buyer's guide
Sunny lakeside park with green lawn, sandy beach, trees, and calm water under a blue sky
By Amy Flowers August 21, 2026
Scott is west Milton's green space neighbourhood, and the Tremaine interchange rewrote its commute. An honest guide, including the freight line nobody mentions.
Row of suburban brick houses with garages, front lawns, and driveways on a sunny day
By Amy Flowers August 20, 2026
Harrison Milton was built through the 2008 downturn, which shaped its lots, its plans and its prices. Plus Escarpment views and Canada's only indoor velodrome
Carriage Trade Luxury Properties logo designation Amy Flowers - Flowers Team Real Estate
By Amy Flowers August 20, 2026
Amy Flowers earned Million Dollar Guild recognition in July 2026. See what this luxury credential means for Milton buyers and sellers above $1 million.
Pumpkins scattered around an old truck in a field under a blue sky
By Flowers Team Real Estate August 20, 2026
Discover the best apple orchards, pumpkin patches and fall farms in and near Milton, Ontario for 2026. Find apple picking, pumpkins, farm activities, hours.
Brick two-story suburban house with a double garage, driveway, and trees lining the front yard.
By Amy Flowers August 18, 2026
Dempsey is Milton's commuter neighbourhood, twenty years on: the closest 401 access in town, a full turnover cycle underway, and what that means for buyers