4 Strategies You Can Use in a Seller's Market

Marketing Team • August 16, 2021

You’ve likely heard the term seller’s market used a lot lately. After all, with the shift to distributed work, it’s no secret the real estate market is booming across Canada.

But what does the term seller’s market really mean? A seller’s market is often used to describe a real estate market that is skewed in the seller’s favor due to there being more demand than supply for available houses. Buying a home in a sellers market is generally considered more difficult than other market conditions due to increased competition for properties and a greater median price.


Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t find the perfect home. Here are four strategies potential buyers can use to help you secure your next dream home in
Milton’s housing market


1. Patience: Can You Wait It Out?

Before we dive into other important strategies that you should be aware of, let’s address a common question: how long will the seller’s market last? The best strategy would be to simply wait it out, but is that a viable option for you?


Unfortunately, there is no way to know how long a seller’s market will last. Economists and real estate analysts are always making predictions, but the truth is, nobody will be able to accurately pinpoint when market conditions will be more favorable for buyers. Some believe that most regions in the country will be a seller’s market for the next few years.


This means that if you expect to buy a house any time soon, you might have to come to terms with buying in a very competitive market.


2. Lead With Your Best Offer

The unfortunate truth is that you aren’t in a position to offer low and wait for a counteroffer. Instead, the seller will simply overlook your offer in favor of other offers they’re receiving. As such, this strategy is quite simple: work with your real estate professional to make your first offer your best offer. 


You can also ask your real estate agent to provide a comparative market analysis to ensure your offer is competitive.


If you’re willing to go over the list price, make that abundantly clear by making an offer that will catch the seller’s attention. You can consider this a preemptive offer that’s higher than what the seller is expecting.


Other factors beyond the cost, such as mortgage pre-approval letter or making a cash purchase, can further help make your offer look more appealing to a seller.


3. Get Your Bids Ready

You’ve made a great offer, but that might not be the end of it. Even though your first offer was high, that doesn’t mean it’s your last. Instead, it’s time to start bidding.


You might be thinking, “I already made my best offer, I can’t go any higher!” If there is a bidding war, then the advice of an experienced agent can help you adjust your strategy.


4. Leave the Closing Conditions Out

The idea of leaving the conditions out of your offer may seem strange. After all, conditions play an important role in protecting buyers.


But in a seller’s market where demand is surging, conditions, such as appraisals, inspections, and elongated closing dates may make your offer unattractive. 


Having said that, we only recommend using this strategy if you are absolutely confident about the condition and health of the home you’re purchasing. Why exactly? Because once accepted, you cannot back out of a non-conditional offer.


Navigate This Seller’s Market With Milton’s #1 Real Estate Agency

Learning how to buy and sell a property in Milton’s hot real estate market doesn’t have to be difficult. 


Even though you may need to be more aggressive with your offers and experience a few bidding wars—you’re in good hands when you work with Amy Flowers, Milton’s #1 real estate agency. 


Finding your next home may be easier than you think.
Get in touch with our team of talented real estate agents today to learn more about what options you have available to you. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or you own a house, working with a professional real estate agent from Amy Flowers can make all the difference.


Flowers Team News

By Flowers Team Real Estate December 15, 2025
Selling a home during a divorce is one of the most emotional and complex experiences a family can face. Your home carries history, memories, and meaning. At the same time, the financial stakes are high, and decisions need to be made with care. For couples in Milton, finding the right real estate agent brings clarity, fairness, and support when life feels unsettled. The agent you choose plays a major role in the experience you have during this transition. The right professional helps protect your equity, keeps communication steady, and guides both parties with empathy and neutrality.
By Flowers Team Real Estate December 5, 2025
Understand the difference between legal separation and divorce in Ontario. Learn how each affects your property rights, matrimonial home, and financial future. Includes guidance and resources for families navigating this transition.
Aerial view of a suburban neighborhood with houses, roads, and some green spaces.
By Flowers Team Real Estate November 28, 2025
Explore Milton’s projected growth from 2026–2031, including infrastructure, housing, and development trends. Learn what buyers and investors should watch for.
Row of colorful Victorian houses with gabled roofs and ornate details, set against a cloudy sky.
By Flowers Team Real Estate November 28, 2025
Compare housing, transit, childcare, and daily expenses in Milton vs Mississauga, Burlington, and Oakville. See why Milton often delivers better value.
By Flowers Team Real Estate November 15, 2025
Selling a home during a divorce carries emotional weight, but it also requires clear strategy. When you are preparing a matrimonial home for the market, staging becomes one of the most effective ways to attract buyers, shorten days on market, and protect your equity. For homeowners in Milton, a neutral, well-presented home helps buyers see the property as theirs, not yours, which often leads to stronger offers and a smoother sale. Staging is not about perfection. It is about creating a clean, calm, and inviting space that appeals to the widest range of buyers. 
By Flowers Team Real Estate November 5, 2025
Cooler Temperatures, Warmer Opportunities The fall market in Milton is revealing a trend we’ve been watching closely: more choices for buyers and steady pricing across property types . October 2025 showed a notable increase in sales activity month-over-month, even as average prices ticked down slightly. Sales Rebound as Buyers Re-Enter the Market Home sales in Milton climbed to 169 transactions in October—up a significant 28.03% from September. While the average sale price dipped slightly by 0.94% to $1,026,445 , the increase in activity suggests buyers are regaining confidence amid stabilizing mortgage rates and more realistic pricing. TRREB President Elechia Barry-Sproule recently commented on similar market trends GTA-wide, saying: “Buyers who are confident in their employment situation and ability to make their mortgage payments over the long term are benefitting from affordable housing market conditions relative to the past few years.” That certainly seems to apply in Milton, where more buyers are seizing the opportunity to get into the market—or move up. New Listings Down, But Inventory Still Healthy October saw 349 new listings in Milton, a 19.03% decline from the previous month. However, this decrease came after a surge of inventory in September. Despite the drop, the sales-to-new-listings ratio rose to 48% , up from 31%, signalling a more balanced market with stronger buyer demand. Detached homes remain the most active category, with 79 sales in October, followed by townhomes (43 sales) and semi-detached homes (20 sales) .
A close up of a key in a door lock.
By Flowers Team Real Estate November 1, 2025
Navigating the division of property during a divorce in Ontario can be complex, especially when it comes to the matrimonial home. Understanding your rights and obligations is crucial to ensure a fair and equitable distribution.
By Flowers Team Real Estate October 31, 2025
Learn how divorcing homeowners in Milton can increase their home’s value before selling. Practical steps for curb appeal, staging, repairs, and updates.
Books lined up, side view, tan pages, red spines.
By Flowers Team Real Estate October 31, 2025
Explore Milton’s story from its Indigenous roots to its modern growth. Discover how history, culture, and community shaped this thriving Ontario town.
Modern high-rise building with glass windows, tan and light brown facade
By Flowers Team Real Estate October 31, 2025
Discover how Milton’s real estate boom, new transit, and developments such as Thompson Towers are shaping the town’s modern future.