A CONFIDENT WAY TO SELL
Your home-selling journey, step by step.
A practical guide to preparing, pricing, marketing, and completing a home sale in Ontario. Follow the steps in order or jump to the part you need.
Start with your goals.
Plan the timing, next move, and likely net proceeds together.
- 01Move timing
- 02Expected costs
- 03Next home
Step 01
Set your goals and timeline
Start with what you want the sale to accomplish: when you hope to move, what you plan to do next, and how much flexibility you have. Estimate the likely proceeds after costs instead of focusing only on the asking price.
- Decide your ideal move date and what timing is flexible.
- List known costs to discuss, such as mortgage payout, legal fees, preparation, and selling services.
- Plan for your next home or temporary housing before setting a firm date.
Step 02
Choose your selling support
You may sell with a real estate professional or choose another approach. Compare the services, responsibilities, costs, and risks involved. Before signing a representation or listing agreement, read its terms and ask questions.
- Discuss marketing, advice, showing coordination, offer handling, and communication.
- Review the agreement’s scope, term, remuneration, cancellation terms, and any holdover provisions.
- Ask what is included and what could involve an additional cost.
Step 03
Gather documents and advice
Organize the information a buyer, lawyer, or lender may need. The documents depend on the property. If the home is tenanted, co-owned, part of an estate, or has renovations, get advice early about the rules and records that apply.
- Collect ownership, survey, renovation, warranty, utility, and property-tax records you have.
- For a condominium, ask your lawyer which current building and status documents are needed.
- Discuss disclosure obligations, tenants, title, mortgage payout, and tax questions with qualified professionals.
Step 04
Prioritize repairs and improvements
Walk through the home with a practical lens. Address safety, maintenance, or obvious condition issues first, then weigh optional upgrades against their cost, time, and likely value to buyers.
- Make a short list of repairs and gather quotes before committing.
- Keep receipts, permits, warranties, and before-and-after records for completed work.
- Ask your agent which improvements matter to your likely buyer and price range.
Step 05
Declutter, clean, and stage
Help buyers understand the space and picture how they might use it. A thorough clean, selective decluttering, and thoughtful staging can make rooms easier to view and photograph.
- Clear walkways and surfaces, and pack away personal or fragile items.
- Make rooms bright and comfortable; arrange furniture to show their use and scale.
- Plan professional photos, floor plans, and any other marketing media with accurate details.
Step 06
Set a price and launch plan
Choose a pricing strategy using recent comparable sales, current competition, property condition, and your timeline. Confirm that the listing details are accurate and agree on where and when the property will be marketed.
- Review relevant sold and active homes—not just asking prices.
- Confirm the listing price, inclusions, exclusions, dates, measurements, and public remarks.
- Agree on a marketing calendar and how you will review feedback or adjust the plan.
Step 07
Plan for showings
Make a plan for access, notice, pets, valuables, and your schedule. Showing arrangements should respect any applicable agreement, privacy, safety, and legal requirements.
- Agree on how showing requests are received and confirmed.
- Put away medicines, personal documents, valuables, and sensitive information.
- Ask for a clear process for feedback, cancellations, and open houses.
Step 08
Review offers and negotiate
Compare the full offer, not just the price. Consider deposit, conditions, financing, included items, closing date, and each deadline. Ask your lawyer to explain legal terms and consult your agent about negotiation strategy.
- Review the buyer, price, deposit, conditions, dates, and included or excluded items.
- Track offer irrevocable times and condition deadlines carefully.
- Get professional advice before accepting, countering, or signing changes.
Step 09
Complete closing and handover
After acceptance, complete the agreed steps and work with your lawyer on the transfer. Confirm move-out timing, final arrangements, and key handover. Wait for your lawyer to confirm completion before treating the sale as closed.
- Provide requested information to your lawyer and respond to transaction deadlines.
- Confirm mortgage payout, adjustments, utility readings, and move-out responsibilities with the professionals handling them.
- Leave the property as agreed and hand over keys only at the confirmed time.
Seller resources
Prepare well. Make informed decisions.
- Request a home valuation
- Review local market reports
- RECO: information for sellers
- CRA: selling your home
This guide is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice. Sale costs, tax treatment, required disclosures, and timelines vary. Review your situation with a licensed real estate professional, lawyer, and tax professional, and verify current requirements with official sources.