Agreement of Purchase and Sale
Learn what an Agreement of Purchase and Sale is in Canadian real estate. Understand how it works, what it includes, and why it's critical to any home transaction.
May 22, 2025
What is an Agreement of Purchase and Sale?
An Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) is a legally binding contract between a buyer and a seller outlining the terms and conditions of a real estate transaction. It specifies key details such as the purchase price, closing date, conditions, and property inclusions.
Why Agreements of Purchase and Sale Matter in Real Estate
The APS is the foundation of any real estate deal in Canada. It safeguards both parties by ensuring that each side understands their rights, responsibilities, and timelines. The agreement includes crucial clauses such as financing, home inspection, and title verification conditions that must be fulfilled before the sale can proceed.
For buyers, the APS guarantees the right to purchase the property once conditions are met, while for sellers, it offers assurance that the buyer is legally obligated to complete the transaction. In competitive markets, a well-prepared APS can be the difference between winning or losing a bid.
Because the agreement becomes legally enforceable once signed, it is vital for both parties to understand its content or seek legal advice. Any errors or vague clauses can lead to disputes, delays, or even litigation.
Example of an Agreement of Purchase and Sale
A buyer submits an offer with a 5-day financing condition and a closing date 60 days out. The seller accepts, making the APS binding. The buyer must now fulfill the financing condition within the timeframe.
Key Takeaways
- A legal contract outlining terms of a real estate transaction.
- Includes purchase price, conditions, closing date, and property details.
- Becomes binding once both parties sign.
- Critical for protecting buyer and seller rights.
- Legal review is highly recommended before signing.
Related Terms
- Conditional Offer
- Closing Date
- Deposit
- Firm Offer
- Offer to Purchase
Average and median describe different aspects of the same month’s transactions. Both are affected by the mix of homes sold.
Category averages compare different homes and locations; the gaps are not estimates of the cost to upgrade an otherwise identical property.
The five categories shown account for 5,000 of the board’s 5,057 sales. The remaining 57 transactions were in other housing categories.
Monthly observations are not seasonally adjusted. Active listings count properties available at month-end; they are not construction inventory.
Average and median prices share one dollar axis. These unadjusted transaction measures do not control for changes in the homes sold.
TRREB’s 416/905 categories compare the apartments sold in each area. The difference does not isolate a location premium for equivalent units.
Highlights from the Delta Golf & Country Club listing brochure. (Colliers)
5680 Oak Street in Vancouver and its surrounding context. (MCMP Architects)
Ground-level renderings of the tower proposed for 5680 Oak Street in Vancouver. (MCMP Architects)
