1. Fear of Getting Pressured to Accept a Lowball Offer
No seller wants to see a lowball offer come through. It’s frustrating, discouraging, and – let’s be honest – sometimes downright insulting. But here’s the thing: a lowball offer isn’t always a dead end. In fact, it can be leveraged to your advantage.
Nothing makes a seller sweat more than receiving an offer far below their expectations. Selling a home is a deeply personal and vulnerable experience, and it can feel like a gut punch to see numbers that don’t align with your vision. This scenario is becoming more common in today’s market – where buyers often have more leverage. But before you panic, let’s put things into perspective.
How to Handle It:
- Remember: You’re in control. This is your home, your asset, and your equity. Just because you list your property doesn’t mean you have to sell. A listing is an opportunity – not an obligation.
- Lowball offers can be strategic. While a low offer might sting, it’s better than no offers at all. In many cases, buyers expect negotiation and will move closer to your asking price with some back-and-forth.
- Use it as leverage. A low offer can be a great tool to spark interest from other buyers. If one offer is on the table, other buyers may feel a sense of urgency to act before they miss out.
- Be prepared to negotiate. Toronto sellers haven’t had to negotiate much in past years, but the tides have shifted. If a buyer submits an offer significantly below the asking price, don’t walk away immediately – counter with a number that reflects your bottom line. Some offers go back and forth 5, 6, or even 10 times before a deal is struck.
- Have a pricing strategy. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to listing prices in Toronto. Some homes are priced below market value to attract multiple offers and create a bidding war, while others take a more traditional approach with room for negotiation. Work with your listing agent to determine the best path forward.
- Know the numbers. According to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board, as of November 2025, the average sale-to-list price ratio hovered around 99% for all home types. While more volatile, the condo market still sits around 98% – meaning most sellers achieve near their asking price.
While a lowball offer can be disappointing, it doesn’t mean you won’t sell at a great price. The key is to stay calm, be wise, and get invested in the negotiation process.
2. Feat of Unexpected Pre-Listing Repairs & Staging Costs
It is common for sellers to underestimate the costs associated with getting their home market-ready. Repairs, staging, painting, minor renovations – these expenses can add up quickly, leaving sellers feeling overwhelmed.
How to Handle It:
- Budget wisely. A good rule of thumb? Allocate 1-3% of your home’s value for pre-listing updates. If your home is worth $1 million, expect to spend $10,000-$30,000 on necessary improvements.
- Focus on high-impact upgrades. Minor cosmetic fixes – fresh paint, modern light fixtures, deep cleaning, and decluttering – can make a massive difference without breaking the bank.
- Consider staging. Professionally staged homes sell 73% faster than those that aren’t. Staging isn’t just about making your home look pretty; it helps buyers emotionally connect to the space.
- Leverage your agent’s network. A top-tier real estate team will have a list of trusted tradespeople to help you tackle repairs quickly and efficiently – sometimes even covering part of the costs to help you get top dollar.
Sellers often worry about these costs because, let’s be honest, something always needs attention before going to market. A fresh coat of paint, updated light fixtures, contemporary hardware – these little details can significantly affect buyer perception and, ultimately, your final sale price. But that doesn’t mean you need a full-scale renovation.
The Power of Staging & Minor Upgrades
According to the Home Staging Institute:
- 85% of realtors agree that a staged home sells faster than an unstaged home.
- Homes that are staged sell 73% faster than those that aren’t.
- 77% of buyers say staging helps them visualize the property as their future home.
Many sellers underestimate just how powerful staging can be in getting top dollar. Even the most uninspiring spaces can be transformed with thoughtful design and decor. And here’s the kicker – only 15% of the population can truly visualize a home’s potential without staging. That means 85% of buyers will struggle to see past your furniture, clutter, or outdated decor.
Can Your Agent Help With Costs?
In some cases, your listing brokerage may cover staging or some of the repair costs to help you maximize your home’s value. At Fox Marin, we work with sellers to determine what’s necessary, what’s worth investing in, and how to get it all done within budget.
If you’re concerned about unexpected costs, the best approach is to have an upfront conversation with your agent, including a pre-list home inspection, to flag any significant expenses from the get-go! A detailed pre-listing plan will ensure that your investment in preparation leads to a higher sale price and a faster transaction (if all goes well, of course).
3. Fear of Buyer Demands & Concessions
You’ve accepted an offer – great! But now, you’re in the conditional period, and the buyer suddenly makes a laundry list of demands. This is where many sellers start to feel uneasy. What if the buyer backs out? What if they expect costly repairs or demand a price reduction?
How to Handle It:
- Be proactive. One of the best ways to reduce last-minute surprises is by getting a pre-listing home inspection. This lets you identify any significant issues before a buyer does, giving you the upper hand in negotations.
- Understand the numbers. Roughly 21% of sellers worry buyers will back out at the last minute due to inspection findings. However, according to real estate data, less than 5% of transactions in Toronto actually collapse for this reason. In other words, while this fear is common, it’s not as frequent as people think.
- Know what’s reasonable. Buyers are entitled to a home inspection, and minor issues will always arise – especially in Toronto, where many homes are over 100 years old. However, not all requests are created equal. Minor fixes (like replacing a light fixture or fixing a dripping tap) are reasonable, but significant structural issues could be a dealbreaker.
- Set boundaries on concessions. Your agent should help you determine what is fair to address and what is excessive. For example, fixing a loose cabinet handle is a small ask, bue demanding a $50,000 price reduction for minor cosmetic flaws? That’s where you draw the line.
- Work with a strong negotiator. An experienced listing agent will know how to push back on unreasonable demands while keeping the deal moving forward. Sometimes, a simple conversation between agents can smooth things over and prevent unnecessary conflicts.
The reality is that some buyers will try to take advantage of a conditional period to negotiate even further – but with the right strategy, you can protect your sale and your bottom line. Communicate, communicate and communicate some more with all parties involved to get this across the finish line!
4. Fear of the Buyer Walking Away Last-Minute
This is one of the biggest seller nightmares: You’ve done the hard work, secured a great deal, conditions have been waived and then – boom – the buyer walks away. The good news? It’s extremely rare.
How to Handle It:
- Understand the statistics. In 2023, industry reports found that fewer than 5% of home sales in Ontario failed to close after going firm. Similarly, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the U.S. shows that only about 5% of transactions collapse nationwide.
- Know your legal protection. In Ontario, buyers who back out after firming up a deal risk losing their deposit and could face legal action for damages if the seller has to relist at a lower price.
- Request a substantial deposit. A minimum 5% deposit ensures that buyers are financially committed to the purchase, reducing their likelihood of walking away.
- Stay calm and work with your agent. If issues arise, your real estate agent and lawyer should work together to find a resolution, whether that means negotiating new terms or enforcing the contact.
Buyers backing out last minute is a major fear, but in reality, it happens far less often than sellers assume. With the right team and legal safeguards in place, you can rest assured that your sale is secure.
5. Fear of Selling Too Soon & Watching Prices Skyrocket
Timing the market ideally is nearly impossible, yet it’s one of the sellers’ biggest fears. What if they sell now, only to see prices soar six months later? According to recent real estate trends, 15% of sellers worry that home prices will increase significantly after they sell.
How to Handle It:
- Understand the current market cycle. Toronto’s real estate market has experienced volatility, but long-term trends show that price fluctuations are inevitable. You could miss a great selling opportunity while waiting for the “perfect” time.
- If you’re buying after you sell, it balances out. if home prices increase after you sell, they’ll likely be higher when you buy as well. Selling and buying in the same market mitigates this risk.
- Trust the data. Toronto home prices are highly influenced by interest rates, political stability, and supply-demand balance. Currently, the market is experiencing a moderate decline, with prices down 2.2% year-over-year and sales volume down 27.4%. Dramatic short-term spikes are unlikely.
- Focus on your goals. Selling should be based on your personal financial situation, lifestyle needs, and long-term investment strategy – not speculation about what might happen in six months.
While no one can predict the market perfectly, thoughtful planning and working with an expert agent will help you make an informed decision.
The Bottom Line? Fear Doesn’t Have to Hold You Back.
Selling a home in Toronto is a major financial and emotional decision that naturally comes with a few (or more!) sleepless nights. But the reality? Every challenge has a solution, and every fear can be mitigated with the right strategy, preparation, and expert guidance.
At Fox Marin, we believe knowledge is power, and confidence comes from being informed. Whether it’s navigating lowball offers, handling buyer demands, or timing the market, our team is here to provide clarity, strategic advice, and hands-on-support every step of the way.
Are you thinking about selling but feeling unsure about the process? You’re not alone – we’ve helped countless Toronto homeowners navigate this tricky market with clarify and confience.
Start buy telling us a bit about your home and your goals. Fill out our quick Seller Consultation Form, and we’ll be in touch with insights that are tailored to your needs & wants!
Contact Fox Marin, Toronto’s downtown luxury real estate brokerage, today to learn more about the advantages of hiring a quality team!
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Kori Marin is a Toronto Broker & Managing Partner at Fox Marin Associates. For high-energy real estate aficionado Kori Marin, a well-lived life is achieved by maintaining an “all-in” attitude that realizes every last ounce of one’s full potential. This mindset has driven successful results in every aspect of her life – from her corporate sales and account management experience to her international travels to her years of fitness training and leadership – and is the hallmark of the exceptional work that she does on behalf of her clients in the residential real estate sector in downtown Toronto.
