Your deposit: how much, when, and what happens to it
Doorvia Guides · July 21, 2026
The deposit is held in the listing brokerage's trust account and credited toward your purchase price at closing.
A deposit shows the seller you are serious. In Ontario it is usually delivered within 24 hours of acceptance, or upon acceptance, and is held in the listing brokerage's real estate trust account.
It is not an extra cost. At closing it is credited toward your purchase price through the statement of adjustments.
Deposit size is negotiable and varies by market. What matters most is the wording: if your offer has conditions and you do not waive them, the deposit is returnable, but release of trust funds normally requires mutual written direction. If a deal collapses in dispute, deposits can be held until the parties agree or a court decides.
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