Selling a home in Ontario: the 15 steps
Everything that happens between deciding to sell and handing over the keys, in order.
- Know your why
Moving up, downsizing, relocating. Your reason sets the timeline and the strategy.
- Interview realtors
Compare how each agent prices, markets and negotiates. Ask to see their recent sales.
- Price it right
Price from recent sales nearby, not from what you need or what a neighbour hopes for.
- Know your net
Subtract commission, HST, legal fees and your mortgage payout to see what you walk away with.
- Prep your home
Repairs, paint, declutter. Small fixes buyers notice pay for themselves.
- Stage to sell
Staging helps buyers picture living there and makes the photos work harder.
- Professional media
Photos, drone, video and twilight shots. Most buyers see your home online first.
- Choose your strategy
Offer date or offers any time. The right choice depends on your home and the market that week.
- Launch the listing
MLS®, social media, email to our buyer list and the agent network, all on day one.
- Showings and open houses
Keep the home show-ready and get feedback from every showing.
- Review offers
We compare price, deposit, conditions and closing date, not just the top number.
- Negotiate and accept
Sign backs and counter offers until the terms work for you.
- Conditions come off
The buyer's financing and inspection conditions are waived and the deal goes firm.
- Lawyer and mortgage discharge
Your lawyer prepares the closing and pays out your mortgage from the sale proceeds.
- Closing day
Keys are handed over and your proceeds arrive from your lawyer.
Take it with you
Get all 15 steps as a free 10-page PDF, with a checklist for every step and a page for your notes.
Start with your home's value
Step 3 is pricing it right. We can do that for you this week.