Yes, read that again – Seller’s Offers are Back!
Canada’s real estate market is in a new chapter. After years of bidding wars and lightning-fast sales, we’ve now entered a time where buyers hold more cards. With tens of thousands of active listings across the country, and thousands of condos in urban centres, there’s more choice than ever. In some cities, it feels like 100s of homes are hitting the market each day, listings are just sitting, showings are fewer, price reductions taking place, and the urgency has cooled. But for savvy real estate agents and sellers alike, this shift isn’t a problem, it’s an opportunity. One strategic move rising in popularity again is the Seller’s Offer. And if you’re not already using this approach to help close more deals, now is the time to bring it back into your toolkit.
A Seller’s Offer is essentially a proactive move made by a seller to offer to sell directly to a buyer who has already shown genuine interest. Think about that buyer who came for a second or even third showing. The one who stayed longer than most. The one who asked those deeper, thoughtful questions about the building’s reserve fund, the bylaws, the neighbourhood profile, schools rankings, etc. That’s not casual interest, that’s potential brewing. And instead of waiting for them to circle back or lose interest, why not take the initiative?
When you reach out with a seller’s offer, you’re not being pushy, you’re being professional, assertive, and smart. You’re saying, “We saw your interest, and we’re prepared to work with you to make this happen.” In a market that’s crowded with choice, this can be the differentiator that reignites a stalled negotiation or pushes a hesitant buyer into action. It might even give them confidence, perhaps they aren’t even working with the right REALTOR®!
It’s also an emotional play. Buyers are human, they second-guess, they hesitate, they assume someone else will scoop it up. But when a seller comes forward and says, “Let’s talk,” it creates a powerful sense of confidence and momentum. Buyers feel seen, valued, and motivated to consider their next steps more seriously. And remember: we’re not talking about undercutting value or desperation. We’re talking about targeted offers to people who have already raised their hand and said, “This place interests me.”
This strategy is particularly effective in today’s condo-heavy market, where inventory is abundant and units can start to blend together. If you know a buyer has shown a level of engagement beyond a surface-level tour, leverage that. You can present a formal offer from the seller, potentially with a slight incentive, like a flexible closing date, included parking, or even a modest price adjustment. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to turn interest into action.
Agents, this is your time to shine. This isn’t about waiting for the perfect buyer to land in your lap. It’s about recognizing interest when it happens and helping your sellers take a bold but professional step forward. Crafting a seller’s offer shows initiative, market savvy, and negotiation skill, exactly what your clients hired you for.
This market rewards those who think outside the box. Yes, things are sitting longer, but that doesn’t mean they have to. A Seller’s Offer repositions you from reactive to proactive. It shows that you’re not just listing properties, you’re working them. And more importantly, you’re giving your sellers a concrete way to take back some control in a market where they may feel they’ve lost it.
In every showing, every open house, every follow-up call, keep your eyes and ears open for those small signs of real buyer interest. Track them. Follow up. If there’s even a glimmer of potential, talk to your seller about making an offer directly. The market is competitive, but that doesn’t mean it’s without opportunity. It just means we have to work a little smarter, be a little braver, and trust our instincts more.
So go ahead, dust off the Seller’s Offer strategy. In 2025, it’s not just relevant again, it could be the key to unlocking deal after deal. Keep your energy high, your approach thoughtful, and remember: the best deals often happen when we take the first step.
