Selling a Home in Canada: A Complete 2025 Step-by-Step Guide
Published on June 17, 2025 | By WealthFusions Real Estate Team
Selling a Home in Canada: A Complete 2025 Step-by-Step Guide
- Prepare Your Home: Clean, declutter, and complete any needed repairs or renovations to maximize appeal and value.
- Determine the Right Price: Research the local market or get a professional appraisal to set a competitive and realistic listing price.
- Hire a Real Estate Agent (Optional): An experienced agent can help market your property, negotiate offers, and guide you through legal paperwork.
- Market Your Property: Use online listings, social media, open houses, and professional photos to attract buyers.
- Review Offers and Negotiate: Evaluate buyer offers carefully, considering price, conditions, and closing timelines. Negotiate to reach the best deal.
- Accept an Offer and Sign Agreement: Once you accept an offer, sign the purchase agreement. It’s legally binding.
- Complete Legal Paperwork: Work with a real estate lawyer or notary to handle contracts, disclosures, title transfer, and closing documents.
- Prepare for Closing: Arrange final inspections, repairs requested by the buyer, and pack your belongings.
- Closing Day: Meet with your lawyer/notary and the buyer’s representatives to finalize paperwork, transfer ownership, and receive payment.
- Post-Sale Tasks: Cancel utilities, update your address, and keep records of the sale for tax purposes.
Thinking of selling your home in Canada in 2025? Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating, this detailed guide walks you through the entire process—from pricing and prepping your property to closing the deal. With average Canadian home prices at $716,000 (CREA, Q1 2025), getting your home sold smartly can mean the difference of tens of thousands of dollars. Let’s explore every step you need to succeed in today’s market.
1. Understand the Current Market Conditions
Before listing, research your local real estate market:
- Average home prices: National avg: $716,000 | Toronto: $1.12M | Vancouver: $1.23M | Calgary: $582K (CREA, 2025)
- Sales-to-new listings ratio: A ratio above 60% indicates a seller’s market.
- Days on market (DOM): Fast DOM suggests high demand.
Tip: Use realtor.ca or HouseSigma to track neighborhood data weekly before deciding when to list.
2. Hire the Right Real Estate Agent
A great agent can help price your home, market it effectively, and negotiate top dollar.
| Service | Traditional Agent | Flat-Fee Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 4%–6% | $999–$4,000 |
| MLS Listing | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Home Staging & Photography | Usually included | Extra fees apply |
| Open Houses & Negotiation | ✔️ | May not be included |
Top Tip: Interview at least 2–3 agents. Ask for recent sales data in your postal code and their average list-to-sale ratio.
3. Set the Right Asking Price
Overpricing your home can deter buyers, while underpricing may leave money on the table. Your agent will perform a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to determine your home’s market value.
- Benchmark: Homes sold within ±5% of listing price perform best in 30 days.
- Example: If similar homes in your area are selling for $680K–$700K, listing yours at $849K may turn off buyers even if upgraded.
4. Prepare and Stage Your Home
Well-staged homes sell 30% faster and for up to 10% more (NAR, 2024). Focus on:
- Decluttering & depersonalizing: Remove excess furniture and family photos.
- Repairs & curb appeal: Fix leaky taps, repaint walls in neutral tones, power wash exteriors.
- Professional photography: First impressions matter—90% of buyers browse listings online first.
5. Market Your Home Strategically
Your home needs maximum exposure:
- MLS® listing: The most trusted and comprehensive platform for buyers in Canada.
- Social media ads: Target local demographics on Facebook, Instagram, and Google Display.
- Virtual tours: Especially important in post-pandemic times—buyers love 3D walkthroughs.
Pro Tip: Homes with video tours get 40% more inquiries (Zillow Research, 2024).
6. Review Offers and Negotiate
Once offers start coming in, review key elements:
- Price offered
- Closing date (typical: 30–90 days)
- Conditions: Financing, home inspection, sale of buyer’s current home
Strategy: In a hot market, consider holding an “offer night” to spark bidding wars.
7. Prepare for Closing
Once a sale is firm, you’ll work with your real estate lawyer to finalize the process:
- Sign the Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS)
- Pay legal fees: Typically $1,200–$1,800
- Discharge your mortgage if applicable
8. Understand the Closing Costs
Sellers often underestimate the expenses involved. Here’s a breakdown:
| Closing Cost Item | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Commission (avg. 5%) | $25,000 on a $500K home |
| Legal Fees & Disbursements | $1,500–$2,000 |
| Mortgage Discharge Fee | $300–$500 (may vary by lender) |
| Moving Costs | $1,000–$2,500 (local) |
| Capital Gains Tax (on second properties) | 50% of gain taxable |
Note: If the home is your principal residence, you likely won’t owe capital gains tax.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Selling a home in Canada in 2025 is about strategy, timing, and preparation. By hiring the right agent, pricing smartly, staging your home, and understanding the legal and financial landscape, you can maximize profit while reducing stress. Don’t go it alone—Visit today to get started with personalized support!
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Do I pay tax when I sell my home in Canada?
- If it’s your primary residence, no capital gains tax applies. Secondary properties may be taxed.
- 2. How long does it take to sell a home?
- In a seller’s market, expect 15–30 days; slower markets may take 60+ days.
- 3. Can I sell my house without a realtor?
- Yes, via “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO), but you’ll need to manage marketing, showings, negotiations, and legal paperwork yourself.
- 4. How much should I spend on staging?
- Expect to spend $500–$2,500 depending on the home’s size. It often yields 5x ROI.
- 5. What is a firm offer?
- An offer with no conditions—once accepted, it’s legally binding and final.
- 6. Can I sell a tenanted property?
- Yes, but you must provide proper notice and follow landlord-tenant laws specific to your province.
- 7. Should I renovate before selling?
- Focus on minor upgrades like fresh paint, lighting, and landscaping—avoid major renos unless ROI is clear.
- 8. What’s included in the sale?
- Typically, fixtures (lights, appliances, window treatments). Clarify inclusions in the agreement.
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