🏡 How Writing an Offer Works (and What “Conditions” Really Mean!)

Buying a home in Alberta? Whether it’s your first cozy single-family home or your next high-rise condo downtown, one of the biggest moments in your real estate adventure is writing an offer.

It’s exciting. It’s nerve-wracking. And if you’ve never done it before, it might feel like decoding a secret document. But don’t worry — we’ll break it down for you step-by-step (and keep it fun while we’re at it).

✍️ The Offer: Your Ticket to the Negotiating Table

In Alberta, all offers to purchase residential property use AREA’s Residential Purchase Contract — that’s the standardized legal form used by REALTORS® across the province. It lays out all the details:

• The price you’re offering
• Your deposit amount
• The possession date
• Any included/excluded items (like appliances or blinds)
• Additional terms — any special requests or custom agreements unique to your offer (like repairs, inclusions, or cleaning before possession)
• And — you guessed it — conditions.

Once your agent drafts the offer, it’s presented to the seller’s side for review. They can accept, reject, or counter — and that’s where the real fun begins.

💡 Want to dive deeper? Check out our blog post for a full breakdown of the purchase contract and what each section means: Breaking Down the Residential Purchase Contract.

⚖️ Conditions: The “Safety Nets” of Your Offer

Conditions are like the “what ifs” in your deal. They protect you by allowing you to back out without penalty if certain requirements aren’t met.

Think of them as your real estate seatbelt — you probably won’t need them, but you’ll be glad they’re there.

Common Conditions for Single-Family Homes

1. Financing Condition

• You’ll want time to confirm your mortgage approval with your lender.
• Typically, this runs 5–10 business days.

1. Home Inspection Condition

• This gives you the right to have a professional inspector check out the property.
• You’ll learn about any hidden issues — from furnace age to foundation cracks.

1. Sale of Buyer’s Home Condition (optional)

   • If you need to sell your current home first, this protects you from being stuck owning two at once.

Additional Conditions for Condominiums

Condo purchases use AREA’s Residential Resale Condominium Property Purchase Contract, which adds a few extra moving parts:

1. Condo Document Review Condition

   • You’ll receive a full set of documents (bylaws, financials, meeting minutes, reserve fund study, etc.).

   • This is your chance to see how the condo is managed and whether there are any red flags.

     💡 Want to learn exactly what these documents are and what they mean? Check out our in-depth guide: Understanding Condominium Documents.

2. All the Same Conditions as Above (financing, inspection, etc.)

You’ll also encounter important terms unique to condos — such as references to the Estoppel Certificate (which confirms the unit’s financial standing) and Condominium Plan, both of which clarify what you’re actually buying.

Your agent will help you sort through it all — and at ARIVL, we love diving into these details. (Seriously, we read bylaws for fun. Don’t judge us.)

🧭 The Conditional Period: Your Due Diligence Window

Once your offer is accepted, the “conditional period” begins. You’ll use this time to complete your financing, schedule the inspection, and review any documents.

When you’re satisfied, your agent will submit a “Notice of Satisfaction of Conditions” — that’s the legal way of saying, we’re good to go!

If something doesn’t check out, you can withdraw your offer before the deadline and get your deposit back.

🎉 Going Firm

Once all conditions are met (or waived), congratulations — your deal is firm!

That means both sides are legally bound to complete the sale, and you can officially start planning your move.

Pro tip: that’s also the perfect time to revisit our Ultimate Moving Checklist 🏠

🧡 Final Thoughts

Writing an offer doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right REALTOR® by your side (👋 hey, that’s us), you’ll understand exactly what you’re signing and why it matters.

Every step is about protecting you, your money, and your future home.

Whether it’s a downtown condo or your dream single-family retreat, ARIVL makes the process smooth, clear, and even a little fun.

ARIVL: Your Real Estate Adventure Awaits!