GTA Bidding War Tips | How to Compete and Win Offers in Ontario
Updated: February 2026
Written by the Keith and Françoise Real Estate Team, Ontario Realtors®, advising buyers across the Greater Toronto Area and Niagara Region.
Key Takeaway
Broad bidding wars are no longer the norm across the GTA. However, multiple-offer situations still occur in specific neighbourhoods, price ranges, and property types. Buyers need to understand where competition remains and how to approach it without assuming every listing will escalate.
Are bidding wars still happening in the GTA?
The GTA market has shifted. Compared to previous years, widespread bidding wars are far less common, and buyers often have more negotiating room.
That said, multiple offers still occur when a property is:
- Priced intentionally below recent comparable sales
- Located in a consistently high-demand neighbourhood
- Move-in ready with limited comparable inventory
- Offered within a price range with constrained supply
Understanding this distinction matters. Treating every listing as a potential bidding war can lead buyers to overpay or waive protections unnecessarily.
Why some properties still attract multiple offers
Even in a more balanced market, certain listings stand out. Sellers may underprice strategically to generate interest, or a home may meet enough buyer criteria that demand converges quickly.
Based on recent transaction experience, properties priced in line with true market value are far less likely to escalate, while those priced aggressively below comparables still draw competition.
For how offer structure affects risk, see Offer Conditions in Ontario.
How buyers should approach competition in today’s market
When multiple offers do arise, strategy today looks different than during peak seller markets. Buyers should focus on:
- Pricing decisions based on recent comparable sales, not list price
- Confirmed financing readiness before submitting an offer
- Thoughtful use of conditions rather than automatic waivers
- Flexible closing dates where they genuinely strengthen the offer
In many cases, a clear, well-structured offer matters more than simply being the highest price.
Why waiving conditions is no longer the default strategy
In today’s market, waiving conditions without necessity exposes buyers to avoidable risk. Financing approval, home inspections, and legal review remain important safeguards.
Legal due diligence and timing still matter. Buyers should understand how title review and closing logistics affect offer strategy. For context, see Title Search in Ontario and Closing Day in the GTA.
How market conditions affect negotiation power
Today’s buyers often have more leverage than headlines suggest. Longer days on market, conditional offers, and price negotiations are increasingly common across the GTA.
In a balanced market, walking away preserves negotiating power. Competitive situations still exist, but they are the exception, not the baseline.
How this fits into a smart buying strategy
Successful offers are built on preparation, timing, and market awareness. Buyers who adjust strategy based on current conditions are better positioned than those relying on outdated assumptions.
For the complete buying framework, see Buying a Home in Ontario.
What buyers often misunderstand about competition today
Context from real transactions
Many buyers still assume every offer will turn into a bidding war. In practice, most listings today do not attract multiple offers, and negotiation room is often available.
In our work with buyers across the GTA and Niagara Region, the strongest outcomes usually come from aligning offer strategy with the specific property and current market conditions, rather than defaulting to aggressive tactics.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Broad bidding wars are far less common today, though multiple offers still occur in specific neighbourhoods, price ranges, and property types.
They are more likely when a property is priced below market value, is move-in ready, or is located in a high-demand area with limited supply.
No. Waiving conditions should never be the default strategy. In today’s market, financing and home inspection clauses are often appropriate and protect buyers from avoidable risk. In our practice, we do not recommend waiving financing or inspection conditions without first confirming lender approval and, where possible, completing a home inspection before submitting an offer. Offer strategy should be based on preparation and confirmation, not pressure.
Review recent comparable sales, days on market, pricing strategy, and overall demand for similar properties in the area.
In many cases, yes. Longer days on market and conditional offers are increasingly common, giving buyers more flexibility than in past years.
MAKE OFFERS BASED ON TODAY’S MARKET, NOT PAST HEADLINES
Competition still happens, but not everywhere. We help buyers across the GTA and Niagara Region assess when urgency is warranted and when negotiation is possible, so offers reflect real conditions.
Get Guidance Before You Offer