The offer gets accepted. That moment feels like the finish line. It isn't — it's closer to the halfway point.

The period between accepted offer and completion is where a lot of deals encounter unexpected friction, and where buyers who aren't prepared can make decisions they later regret. Understanding what actually happens in those 30 to 45 days makes the process significantly less stressful.

Subject period: the first phase

Most accepted offers in BC include conditions — financing, inspection, strata document review, or others depending on the property. The subject period is the time you have to satisfy those conditions, typically 7 to 14 days.

During this period, you're actively working. You're confirming your financing with your lender, booking and attending the home inspection, reviewing the strata documents if it's a strata property, and potentially doing additional due diligence depending on what the inspection reveals. This is not a waiting period — it's an active one, and the timeline is tight.

Subject removal is the moment you confirm in writing that all conditions have been satisfied and you're committed to the purchase. After this point, the deposit becomes non-refundable in most circumstances and the deal is firm.

After subject removal

Once subjects are removed, your lawyer or notary takes over coordination. They receive the contract, begin the title search, and prepare the transfer documents. You'll need to arrange for property insurance, confirm your down payment is accessible and in the right account, and sign the transfer documents typically a few days before completion.

Your lender will also require an appraisal in most cases. The appraisal confirms the property value for the lender and is separate from the home inspection. If the property doesn't appraise at the purchase price, you may need to negotiate or cover the gap — a scenario that's more common than buyers expect.

Completion day

Completion day is when the funds transfer and the title changes hands. It typically happens at a specific time set in the contract — often noon or 1pm. The seller receives the funds, your lawyer registers the transfer, and you're notified when it's done.

Possession, which is when you actually get the keys, is usually a few hours after completion — sometimes the same day, sometimes the next day depending on what was negotiated in the offer.

What can go wrong

The most common issues are financing delays, appraisal gaps, and problems discovered during inspection that need to be resolved. Having a responsive lender, a good lawyer or notary, and a clear inspection report that you've actually read goes a long way toward a smooth close. None of these are reasons to panic — but being aware of them means you're not blindsided if they come up.