Real Estate

How to sell a house in Canada: Complete guide for sellers

How to sell a house in Canada: Complete guide for sellers
Written by
  • Alivia Massimillo
| Apr 20, 2022
Reviewed, Jun 7, 2023
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Table of contents

    Interested in selling your house in Canada? Wondering what the process to sell a house looks like? We have your back. In this complete guide, you’ll learn all there is needed to know and be ready to sell your house in no time.


    Key Takeaways

    • To sell your house in Canada, you’ll need to properly estimate the value of the property, considering its location, going rate for other properties in the area, and the type of property you’re selling.
    • There are certain costs associated with selling your home. Home sellers should consider realtor fees and commissions, mortgage prepayment penalties, and the cost of moving your belongings before deciding to put their properties on the market.
    • Homeowners can choose to sell their homes privately and choose not to hire a realtor, but real estate deals cant be completed without a lawyer.

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    Estimating the value of your home & setting the price

    If you’re thinking of selling a house but don’t know what it’s worth, you can start by considering several factors, such as location and the current going rates in the area, among others. This will enable you to sell your home at the best possible price without devaluing or overvaluing the property. While estimating how much to sell your home, it’ll be helpful to make a list of features that influence the value of your real estate. You can now examine comparable properties, the location, type of property, and the value of the interior furnishing and fittings if you’re looking to sell the house with everything in it. In selling real estate, location is key and will most likely be the prime determinant of the value of your property.

    Costs associated with selling your home

    No matter your reason for selling your home, be sure to estimate and budget the cost of selling a house in Canada, particularly in the property’s location, before putting it up for sale. Here are some fees for selling a house in Canada that are worth looking into.

     Fees & commission

    As a seller using the services of a realtor, you must be prepared to pay realtor and legal fees for selling a house in Ontario or anywhere else in Canada. Realtor fees are anywhere between 3% and 7% of the selling price of your house. These fees and commission rates are negotiable, but selling a house without a realtor is another way to avoid the fees, especially if there’s a hot market for it. 

    Mortgage prepayment penalty

    The mortgage prepayment penalty is the fee your lender charges you when you break the contract agreement or pay back your entire mortgage before the agreed time in order to sell your home. Selling a house with a mortgage can be tricky, so it’s important to know when prepayments apply and how your lender calculates them.

    Moving costs

    Your moving costs will depend on where you’re headed and how much property you want to move. You’ll need to factor in the cost of hiring an insured trucking company and movers who’ll help dismantle, load and offload your stuff.

    Selling your home with a Realtor

    While there are benefits to selling your house privately, using an experienced realtor may give you peace of mind knowing you’ll get the best deal. This can be a tough decision for some sellers, but a few things to consider when deciding whether to sell your home with a realtor include the home’s value, whether you know how to sell a house without a realtor, and your ability to estimate the cost of the property accurately.

    Selling your home privately

    When you start looking at how to sell a house, you may be surprised to find that selling real estate involves fees and commissions that you may not want to pay. You could also be asking yourself, “can I sell my home myself ?” Well, yes. You can sell your house online or find buyers using traditional means such as word of mouth and poster advertising. Your real estate property may undoubtedly be one of your most valuable assets, so getting the best deal is paramount. Although selling your house privately can be challenging, largely because you’re missing out on what real estate agents bring to the table, pulling it off yourself can be very rewarding and cost-effective.

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    Required documents needed to sell your home

    Once you’re ready to put your house on the market, you’ll need to gather some documents for your buyer’s perusal. Important documents you need to sell your house include survey plans, deeds, tax receipts, transferable warranties, and property renovation contracts. If you’re selling a house privately, you may also need some paperwork for selling a house without a realtor in Canada.

    Preparing your property for sale

    It can be a real challenge to get your house ready for sale. Largely because you’ll be caught between getting things in order at your new home and making the current one buyer-friendly so you get the best deals. It may be helpful to make a checklist of things to do, such as maintenance, decluttering the house, moving your belongings, repainting the house, and estimating the current price for comparable properties in your neighborhood before listing.

     Frequently asked questions

     Do I need to pay taxes if I sell my home?

    When you sell your house in Canada, you usually don’t have to pay tax on gains made from the sale if it’s a principal residence. But if, at any point, the property was not your principal residence, you may have to pay tax on the capital gains made from the sale of the property. It is strongly recommended to consult a tax expert.

    What is a conditional sale?

    A conditional sale is a real estate transaction where the potential buyer receives possession of the property and certain rights while the title and documents remain with the seller until the buyer meets certain conditions. 

    Do I need a lawyer to sell a house in Canada?

    Selling a house in Canada can be a complicated endeavor, but having a lawyer on hand will help you ensure that all contracts, agreements, and deeds are carefully drafted. The lawyer will also assist you in transferring the title to the new owner; therefore, you’ll need the services of a lawyer or notary before you can sell a house in Canada successfully.

    Final Thoughts

    Although selling your own home in Canada is a straightforward process, there are some factors you’ll need to look into before putting the property on the market. You’ll need some experience on how to sell a house privately, which is why we’ve provided some important information in this article for your use. 


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