"The seller accepted" feels like the finish line. It's closer to the start. Here's what happens between that moment and the keys.
Offers go back and forth in writing. In Manitoba, real estate salespeople are required by provincial law to communicate offers, counter-offers, withdrawals and acceptances in writing [1]. The seller can accept your offer, or change it and send it back as a counter-offer. If you reject a counter-offer, you make a new offer to keep negotiating [1]. Since November 1, 2025, Manitoba real estate registrants use Form 1, the Residential Offer to Purchase Contract, for houses and Form 2, the Condominium Unit Offer to Purchase Contract, for condominiums [2].
Accepted means binding. Once an offer or counter-offer is accepted, there is a binding contract between buyer and seller, even if it still has conditions to be met, such as the buyer getting a mortgage [1]. Your representative can't make or accept an offer for you; you sign [1].
Conditions are your window to check things. Common conditions include a home inspection, financing, a lawyer's review of the contract, the seller's Property Disclosure Statement, if the seller agrees to provide one [2], and the sale of your current home [1]. Each has a deadline. The handbook notes that in most cases the buyer pays for inspections and reports [1].
The deposit. It is customary to include a deposit with an offer, but no rule of law requires one or sets the amount [1]. The deposit is credited toward the purchase price and is held in trust for both parties [1]. Usually, if you end the agreement under one of its conditions and give notice within the time allowed, the deposit is released back to you, though a seller can dispute that [1]. If a buyer fails to complete without a valid reason, the seller may have the right to keep the deposit [1].
"Buyer beware" still applies. In Manitoba, the buyer is generally responsible for existing defects, which is why inspections matter [1]. A seller must disclose a hidden defect they know about if it makes the property a health or safety hazard or unusable [1]. If a seller chooses to answer questions about the home, the answers must be complete and accurate [1].
Firm. When every condition is met or removed in time, the deal is firm.
Closing and possession. Before closing, the buyer arranges property insurance; a lender normally requires it to be in place on closing [1]. In Manitoba, land transfer tax is paid when the transfer of title is registered [3]. Both buyer and seller have closing costs, and property taxes are adjusted between them [1]. The Manitoba Real Estate Association recommends using a real estate lawyer when buying or selling [4]. Possession day is when the home becomes yours to move into.
There's a legal side to every one of these steps. For legal questions, talk to your lawyer. For anything about your offer, ask me.
Trevor LeVasseur, Licensed REALTOR® · Greg Michie Realty Group