1. What a caveat does?

A caveat is a legal notice that someone claims an interest in the property—for example, a financial interest, a right from a contract, or an equitable claim. It serves as a warning to potential buyers or anyone dealing with the property that another party may have rights over it.

2. Can you still sell the property? 

Yes, but with restrictions:
• You cannot transfer ownership (i.e., sell it) without first dealing with the caveat.
• The sale will be blocked at the land titles office until the caveat is withdrawn, lapsed, or removed by court order.
• A buyer is unlikely to proceed with the purchase while a caveat is in place, since it puts the title in doubt.

3. How to proceed?

To sell the property, you typically need to:
1. Negotiate with the caveator (the person who lodged the caveat) to withdraw it.
2. Apply to the land titles office to have it lapsed (if the caveat is not backed by strong legal grounds).
3. Apply to court to have the caveat removed, if necessary

4. Summary

A caveat doesn’t absolutely prevent a sale, but it freezes the process until it’s resolved. If you’re planning to sell and a caveat is present, you’ll need to address it before the sale can be completed.

In 2025, the best choice between to sell now or later depends on your goals, time horizon and finances.  The smartest move is to match the property to your life stage and objectives —Tenure, location, entry price, lifestyle, future plans and exit strategy.