In short
It can work if the seller bites, but it shows your hand if they don't.
Sellers don't have to consider it. If they decide to, their brokerage must let the other interested buyers know so they can compete.
How it works in Ontario
Many listings set an offer date, often several days after the home hits the market. A bully offer arrives before that date, usually with a strong price, few or no conditions and a short irrevocable time so the seller has to decide quickly.
RECO, the regulator for Ontario real estate agents, calls this a pre-emptive offer.
Not every listing has an offer date. A bully offer only comes up when the seller has set one and is holding back offers until then.
Does the seller have to look at it?
No. The seller decides in advance, in a written direction to their agent, how pre-emptive offers will be handled. They might refuse to look at any, consider only offers above a certain price, or ask to see every one.
The seller can change that direction at any time, but the new instructions also have to be in writing.
What happens to the other buyers?
If the seller decides to consider a bully offer, RECO's guidance says the seller's agent must take reasonable steps to tell everyone who has shown interest. That notice includes that a pre-emptive offer was received and any new offer time.
Other buyers can then race to submit their own offers. A short irrevocable time on a bully offer often ends up starting a bidding war rather than avoiding one.
From the buyer's side, a bully offer shows the seller how much you're willing to pay. If the seller declines and holds the offer date, other buyers may hear that a strong offer is already on the table.
Offer disclosure rules since December 1, 2023
Under Ontario's Trust in Real Estate Services Act rules that took effect December 1, 2023, the seller's agent must tell every buyer who submitted a written offer how many competing written offers there are.
If the seller directs it in writing, the agent can also share some or all of the content of those offers, such as price or closing date. Buyers' personal or identifying information can never be shared.
Common questions about bully offer
Can a seller accept a bully offer in Ontario?
Yes, a seller can accept a bully offer if it meets their written instructions to their agent. If the seller decides to consider it, the agent must notify other interested buyers that a pre-emptive offer was received, so others may submit offers too. The seller is never required to consider one.
Do sellers have to tell other buyers about a bully offer?
If the seller decides to consider the bully offer, yes. RECO's guidance says the seller's agent must take reasonable steps to notify everyone who has expressed interest, including any new offer time. A general note in the listing saying the seller may review pre-emptive offers is not enough.
Will I find out how many offers there are in Ontario?
Yes, if you submit a written offer. Since December 1, 2023, the seller's agent must tell each buyer who made a written offer how many competing written offers there are. Verbal offers and offers not yet submitted don't count. The seller may also choose to share offer details.
Can a seller share the details of other offers?
Yes, since December 1, 2023, a seller can direct their agent in writing to share all or part of the content of competing offers with the buyers making them. The seller decides what to share, such as price or closing date. Names and identifying information can't be shared.
Sources
General information for Ontario, updated October 2026. Not legal, tax or mortgage advice. Rules change, so confirm with your lawyer, lender or the source above before you rely on it.