10 Ways to Accidentally Kill Your Deal (Buyer & Seller Edition) 🏡❌

You’ve signed the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, the deposit is in, and now you’re counting down the days until closing. But here’s what a lot of people don’t realize…

A deal isn’t officially done until the money changes hands and the property is registered.

Between acceptance and closing day, there are a lot of moving parts — and one mistake from either the buyer or seller can delay the deal, create legal issues, or even cause the transaction to fall apart completely.

Here are 10 common ways deals get accidentally killed 👇

🛑 For Buyers:

1️⃣ Getting stuck on small inspection items
Don’t let a deal fall apart over tiny repairs or cosmetic issues. Asking for every little thing to be fixed can quickly turn negotiations sour.

2️⃣ Waiting too long to arrange home insurance
Certain homes can be harder to insure than people think. If insurance becomes an issue right before closing, your financing can get delayed too.

3️⃣ Changing your finances before closing
Buying a car, switching jobs, missing payments, or moving large amounts of money around can impact your mortgage approval — even after you’re pre-approved.

4️⃣ Skipping the final walkthrough
Your final visit is your chance to make sure the home is still in the condition you agreed to buy it in. It’s important — but refusing to close over something minor can create bigger problems too.

5️⃣ Forgetting about closing costs
Your down payment isn’t the only expense. Legal fees, land transfer tax, title insurance, adjustments, and other costs add up quickly.

🛑 For Sellers:

6️⃣ Removing included items from the home
If appliances, light fixtures, or other items were included in the contract, they need to stay. Taking them out last minute can create major issues.

7️⃣ Not maintaining the property before closing
The home needs to stay in substantially the same condition until closing day. New damage, neglect, or ignored issues can put the deal at risk.

8️⃣ Leaving title or lien issues until the last minute
Outstanding taxes, liens, or title problems can delay or completely stop a closing if they aren’t handled early.

9️⃣ Making access difficult for appraisals or visits
Buyers, appraisers, and inspectors may need access before closing. Delays and constant rescheduling can impact financing timelines.

🔟 Letting emotions take over
Whether it’s buyer’s remorse or seller’s remorse, once the contract is signed both parties have legal obligations. Making the process difficult rarely ends well.

📌 Bottom Line:

A smooth closing comes down to preparation, communication, and having the right people guiding you through the process.

Whether you’re buying or selling in Ontario, having a strong team around you can help prevent small issues from turning into deal-breaking problems.

Thinking about making a move this year? Reach out anytime — I’m always happy to help. 📲

From Loan to Home — Your Trusted Path to Ownership. 🏡