One of the most common questions we hear from sellers is:
“If I get an offer right away, should I take it, or hold out for more?”

It’s a fair concern. After all, selling a home in the West Island, whether in Pointe-Claire, Beaconsfield, Kirkland, or Dollard, can feel like riding an emotional rollercoaster. You’ve worked hard to get your property ready, you’re anxious about timing, and when that first offer comes in, it can feel both exciting and conspicuously “too easy.”

So, what’s the right move? Let’s break it down with some data, strategy, and local market insights.

Why the First Offer Often Matters Most

Here’s a real estate truth: the first offer is often the best one.

That doesn’t mean you should always accept it blindly, but it does mean you need to take it seriously. Buyers who come in early are usually:

• Well-prepared and motivated. They’ve been watching the market, waiting for a home like yours.
• Financially ready. Pre-approved buyers act fast.
• Confident in your home’s value. They’re less likely to nitpick or delay.

In our experience at Team Broady, many of the strongest offers arrive in the first 7–10 days of a listing. If your home is priced correctly and marketed well, serious buyers are on alert.

Local Data: West Island Trends

Looking at the West Island market over the past few years, we’ve noticed a few key patterns:

• Homes priced right sell quickly. The average days on market in many West Island neighbourhoods sits around 30 - 45 days. But well-prepared listings often attract offers within the first week.
• Multiple offers are common but not guaranteed. In hot pockets (think Pointe-Claire or Beaconsfield South), sellers may receive 2–5 offers right away. In quieter areas, the first offer might be the only one for weeks.
• Overpricing leads to stagnation. Properties listed too high sit longer, which creates a perception of “something wrong,” often resulting in price drops and lower eventual sale prices.

This is why evaluating that first offer in the context of market data and your unique situation is so important.

When to Consider Accepting the First Offer

Here are situations where accepting, or at least negotiating with, the first offer makes sense:

1. The offer is strong and close to asking.
If it matches your price expectations and conditions are reasonable, not responding or not accepting may be a gamble.

2. Market conditions are shifting.
If interest rates are rising or buyer demand is cooling off, accepting that offer can protect you from future uncertainty.

3. Your property type is niche.
For example, higher-end homes in Senneville or an intergenerational property in Pierrefonds may attract fewer buyers. Waiting too long could mean missing the best match.

4. Your personal situation calls for certainty.
If you’re relocating, downsizing, or already have an offer on another home, the security of a signed deal often outweighs the gamble of waiting.

When It Might Pay to Negotiate or Hold Out

On the other hand, there are times when it’s smart to counter or give the market a little more time:

1. If the offer is low-ball.
Some buyers test the waters with a number far below asking. This doesn’t mean they won’t come up, but you don’t have to accept an insulting first move.

2. If you’ve generated strong interest.
Multiple showings, back-to-back visits, or several buyers requesting documents in the first few days are signs more offers may be on the way.

3. If conditions are burdensome.
Offers with long financing delays, unusual clauses, or sale-of-buyer’s-property conditions may not be in your best interest.

4. If the market is heating up.
In certain neighbourhoods where inventory is tight, holding out a few days can create competition and drive the price upward.

Pro Seller Tips: Handling That First Offer

• Don’t respond emotionally. Take a breath, review the offer carefully, and discuss it with your broker before reacting.
• Ask about financing. A clean, pre-approved buyer is often more valuable than a slightly higher offer with shaky financing.
• Look at comparable sales. Check how your home stacks up against recent neighbourhood sales—this helps you see if the offer is truly fair.
• Consider conditions, not just price. Short delays, no unusual clauses, and flexible move dates can save you stress (and money).
• Lean on your broker’s strategy. Experienced agents know how to spot a strong buyer versus a risky one.

The Psychology of the First Offer

It’s natural to feel hesitant about accepting the first offer. Many sellers worry:
“Did we price too low? Could we have gotten more?

”Here’s the reality: serious buyers move quickly. That first offer is rarely a coincidence, it’s usually the result of pent-up demand. If you’ve seen healthy traffic at open houses, received calls right away, and your agent has positioned your home well, that first offer may be a reflection of true market value.

The Role of Strategy

At Team Broady, we don’t leave this decision to chance. We use a combination of strategy and experience to guide our sellers:

• Pre-listing prep: Ensuring your home shows its best, so buyers are excited from day one.
• Market analysis: Comparing recent sales in your neighbourhood to know whether an offer is fair.
• Buyer profile analysis: Understanding who’s shopping for your type of home and how serious and qualified they are.
• Offer management: If we sense that market conditions are ripe for multiple offers, we set out clear delays and deadlines to optimize competition while protecting your interests. We often include a disclaimer in the listing that might look like this:
  
  “The SELLER shall not respond to any offers before Wednesday, October 29th. This is to allow sufficient exposure on Centris and MLS, and to give buyers and brokers a fair chance to visit the IMMOVABLE. All offers must be submitted no later than 20h00 on Monday, October 27th. We ask that the deadline for acceptance on all offers be no sooner than 21h00 on Wednesday, October 29th.”

The goal isn’t just to get you an offer, it’s to get you the best offer possible!

Case Study: A Pointe-Claire Seller

Recently, we listed a 4-bedroom home in Pointe-Claire. Within 48 hours, we had two offers: one at asking price, and another slightly higher but with undesirable financing conditions.

The sellers were tempted to hold off, thinking “Maybe more will come.” But after reviewing local data, market conditions, and their own moving timeline, they accepted the first offer with clean conditions. The sale closed smoothly, and the family moved on with confidence.

Had they waited, they might have risked a slower sale or losing the motivated buyer altogether.

Key Takeaways for Sellers

• Don’t dismiss the first offer, it often reflects true market demand.
• Evaluate the strength, not just the price. Clean, simple terms and solid financing can be worth thousands more in peace of mind.
• Context matters. Look at market activity, buyer behaviour, and your own goals.
• Lean on experience. Having a knowledgeable broker makes all the difference in knowing when to say yes, when to negotiate, and when to wait.

At Team Broady, we’ve helped hundreds of West Island families navigate this exact decision. If you’re thinking of selling and want expert guidance on pricing, timing, and strategy, we’d love to help.

 Call us today at 514-613-2988

 info@teambroady.ca