What Are Subject Clauses & Why You want Them in Your Offer

If you’ve ever browsed real estate listings or talked about putting in an offer, you’ve probably heard the phrase "subject clauses" thrown around—but what do they actually mean?

Let’s break it down.

What Are Subject Clauses?

Subject clauses (or conditions) are protective terms you include in your offer to buy a property. They give you time to do your due diligence—like securing financing, reviewing important documents, or getting a home inspection—before you're legally locked into the deal. once you, the buyer, get an accepted offer, you are now in the drivers seat and do not have to move forward with the purchase if one of your subjects is not satisfactory.

In simple terms:
👉 They make your offer conditional on certain things going right.

Why Subject Clauses Are So Important

Real estate is a massive investment. Subject clauses act like a safety net, helping you avoid unexpected surprises and costly mistakes. Without them, your deposit (and peace of mind) could be at risk.

they can save you big:
👉 i have saved my clients upwards of $35k before, just because we added the correct subject clauses.

Common Subject Clauses Include:

• Subject to Financing
  Gives you time to confirm your mortgage approval. this is when you will finalize your numbers and lending options with the bank / mortgage broker. on average they need 5-10 business days.

• Subject to Inspection
  Lets you walk away if major issues show up in the home inspection. your inspector will come through and properly look at the entire building, and inside the home.

• Subject to Strata Document Review
  Allows you to review the building’s financials, bylaws, and meeting minutes—essential in condos or townhomes. you don’t want to skip reading these! what if you have a pet and you bought into a “no pet” building - that would be a huge and costly mistake. give yourself enough time to really read through all of the strata documents.

• Subject to Sale of Buyer’s Property
  Useful if you’re buying and selling at the same time.

Can You Make an Offer Without Subjects?

Yes—but it comes with risk. In competitive markets, you might be tempted to write a "subject-free" offer to win the deal. But if you’re not 100% certain about financing, or haven’t reviewed key documents, you could end up locked into a property with expensive surprises.

Pro tip: Even in a hot market, there are ways to minimize risk without waiving all protection. A good realtor can guide you through it.

Final Thoughts

Subject clauses aren’t just “extras”—they’re your built-in protections during a major financial decision. As a diligent realtor, I always walk you through which subjects to include (and how to make your offer as strong as possible while staying protected).

shoot me a message and let’s start your search today!