You've had your home on the market for a few weeks. Finally, an offer arrives: a solid price, a reasonable deposit, a possession date that works. Then you see it. "Subject to the sale of the buyer's property." Your heart sinks a little. Is this a real offer, or a polite way of saying "maybe"?
The honest answer is: it can be either. A sale of buyers home condition makes your sale dependent on someone else's sale, which adds risk. But it can also bring you a motivated, qualified buyer you'd otherwise lose, especially in a balanced market. The difference between a good conditional offer and a time-waster usually comes down to the buyer's home, the deadline and whether you keep the right to keep marketing.
This guide is written for sellers: how to evaluate the offer, how the escape clause protects you, and when to say yes, counter or pass. Buyers on the other side should read our companion guide on buying before selling in Edmonton. For the full selling picture, see our complete guide to selling real estate.
Quick answer
A sale of buyer's home condition means your buyer only has to complete if their own home sells by a set Condition Day. Accept one when the buyer's home is listed, well priced and likely to sell soon, the price and deposit are strong, and you keep an escape clause so you can keep marketing. Counter or decline when the buyer's home isn't listed or the deadline is too long.
How the Condition Works in Alberta
The AREA Residential Purchase Contract includes a specific buyer's condition for the sale of the buyer's property, with its own Condition Day and a Sale of Buyer's Property Schedule attached. If the buyer's home sells and that sale goes firm before the deadline, they give written notice and your deal moves forward. If not, and they don't waive it, the contract ends.
While the condition is outstanding, your home is technically "conditionally sold," which can discourage other buyers from looking. That's the hidden cost, and it's why the escape clause matters so much.
The Escape Clause: Your Safety Valve
An escape clause, often called a time clause, lets you accept the conditional offer and keep marketing. If another acceptable offer arrives, you give the first buyer written notice. They then have a set window, often 24 to 72 hours, to remove their sale condition (and usually their other conditions) or the contract ends.
Key points to negotiate:
• Length of the notice window. Shorter is better for you; too short and the buyer may refuse.
• Which conditions must be removed. Usually all of them, not just the sale condition.
• How notice is delivered, so there's no dispute about when the clock started.
• Whether you continue to market actively, including showings and MLS status.
Escape clauses need a backup buyer
The clause only helps if another buyer shows up. Keep your listing visible, keep showings going and make sure the MLS status and remarks make it clear you're still accepting offers.
How to Evaluate a Sale of Buyers Home Condition Offer
|
Question |
Lower-risk answer |
Higher-risk answer |
|
Is the buyer's home listed? |
Yes, with photos and showings |
Not yet listed |
|
Is it priced well? |
In line with recent sales |
Optimistic pricing |
|
How fast are similar homes selling? |
Quickly in that area |
Sitting for months |
|
How long is the Condition Day? |
Short, like 30 days |
Long, 60+ days |
|
Will they accept an escape clause? |
Yes |
No |
|
Price and deposit |
Strong, near asking |
Discounted |
|
Is the buyer pre-approved for your home? |
Yes |
Unclear |
Ask your agent to review the buyer's listing, comparable sales in their area and days on market. You're effectively underwriting their home as well as your own deal.
When Accepting Makes Sense
• Your market is balanced or slow. With Edmonton's new listings up 3.3% year-over-year in August 2026 and sales down 9.8%, according to CREA's Edmonton board statistics, buyer leverage has grown in many segments. A conditional offer may be the best one available.
• The buyer's home is a strong seller, like a well-priced starter home in a popular community.
• Your home has been on the market a while, and activity has slowed.
• Your own timeline is flexible, and you're not buying elsewhere on a firm deal.
When to Counter or Decline
• The buyer's home isn't listed and they're not ready to list.
• The Condition Day is far out with no escape clause.
• The price is low on top of the condition.
• You've already bought another home with a firm date.
• You're in a strong spring market where unconditional offers are likely.
A counter-offer can fix a lot: a shorter condition period, a higher deposit, an escape clause or a requirement that their home be listed within a few days.
Protect Your Own Plans
If you're buying another home, don't firm up on your purchase based on a sale that's still conditional on someone else's sale. That's how sellers end up carrying two homes. Line up your timelines with your agent and lender, and consider bridge financing only once your sale is firm.
If speed matters more than squeezing out the last dollar, our guide to the steps to sell a house fast in Edmonton covers pricing and presentation strategies that attract unconditional buyers.
Sale of Buyers Home Condition: A Quick Seller Checklist
• Review the buyer's listing, price and days on market
• Ask for proof of pre-approval for your home
• Insist on an escape clause with a clear notice period
• Keep the Condition Day as short as realistic
• Ask for a meaningful deposit
• Keep marketing and showing your home
• Don't firm up your next purchase until your sale is firm
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sale of buyers home condition?
It's a condition that makes the buyer's purchase dependent on selling their current home by a set Condition Day. If it doesn't sell and the buyer doesn't waive it, the contract ends.
Should I accept an offer subject to the sale of the buyer's home?
It can be a good option when the buyer's home is listed, well priced and likely to sell quickly, especially with an escape clause in place.
What is an escape clause?
It lets you keep marketing your home after accepting a conditional offer. If another acceptable offer comes in, the first buyer gets a short window to remove conditions or the deal ends.
How long should the condition period be?
Shorter is better for sellers. Many are set around 30 to 45 days, depending on the buyer's home and the market.
Can I keep showing my home with a conditional offer?
Yes, if your contract includes an escape clause or doesn't restrict marketing. Keep your listing active and visible.
What happens to the deposit if the buyer's home doesn't sell?
If the condition isn't satisfied or waived by the Condition Day, the contract ends and the deposit is returned to the buyer under the contract terms.
Is it risky to accept a sale of buyer's home condition?
There's added risk because your sale depends on theirs. A strong price, deposit, short deadline and escape clause reduce that risk considerably.
Should my agent look at the buyer's listing?
Yes. Reviewing the buyer's price, presentation and local market tells you how likely the condition is to be satisfied.
Say Yes on Your Terms
A sale of buyer's home condition doesn't have to be a gamble. Look hard at the buyer's home, keep your right to keep marketing and set a deadline that protects your timeline. Do that, and a conditional offer can become the one that closes.