The cost of selling a house privately in Ontario depends on which services you choose to handle yourself and which professional services you purchase.
When you sell without a traditional full-service listing agent, you may be able to reduce your listing expenses. However, you should still budget for legal services, property preparation, marketing, moving and any other costs that apply to your transaction.
If you want MLS® exposure while managing much of the selling process yourself, theRealtyCommission.com advertises a $199 flat-fee MLS® sale listing for 60 days, subject to service terms and property eligibility.
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What Does It Cost to Sell a House Privately in Ontario?
There is no single total cost for every private home sale. Your expenses depend on your property’s condition, the marketing you choose, the professional services you use and the terms you negotiate with a buyer.
Some expenses are optional, while others may be necessary for your particular transaction. Consider the following potential costs before setting your selling budget.
Possible Costs of Selling a House Privately
1. Listing and Marketing Service
You can advertise your property independently or purchase a listing service. Compare the fee, listing duration, included services and any additional charges before choosing a provider.
2. MLS® and REALTOR.ca Exposure
Private sellers generally cannot upload a property directly to REALTOR.ca through an ordinary personal account. An eligible listing arranged through a participating brokerage may provide MLS® exposure and potential REALTOR.ca distribution, subject to applicable rules and the listing agreement.
TheRealtyCommission.com advertises a flat fee of $199 for a 60-day sale listing. This is the fee for the applicable listing service, not a guarantee that every possible selling expense is included.
Learn how private sellers can obtain REALTOR.ca exposure.
3. Photography
Professional real estate photography may help present your property effectively. Costs vary depending on the photographer, property size and whether you purchase additional services such as floor plans or virtual tours.
4. Signage
You may choose to purchase a For Sale sign or other promotional materials. Check local rules, condominium requirements and any applicable municipal restrictions before installing signage.
5. Advertising
Additional advertising could include online classifieds, social media promotion, printed materials or paid advertisements. Some methods are free, while others require a budget.
6. Real Estate Lawyer
Budget for legal services associated with reviewing documents, advising you on the transaction, preparing closing documents and transferring ownership. Ask an Ontario real estate lawyer for a quote based on your circumstances.
7. Home Inspection
A seller may choose to obtain a pre-listing home inspection. This is optional in many situations, but it can help identify issues that may need attention before marketing the property.
8. Mortgage Discharge and Related Fees
If you have a mortgage, ask your lender about the outstanding balance, discharge administration fees and any applicable prepayment penalty. These amounts depend on your mortgage and lender.
9. Moving Costs
Include the cost of movers, a rental truck, packing materials, storage or temporary accommodation if required. Your costs will depend on the distance, volume of belongings and services selected.
10. Buyer-Agent Compensation, If Applicable
Compensation for a buyer’s representative is not automatically included in a flat-fee MLS® listing. Any compensation arrangement should be discussed and agreed to separately where applicable. Confirm the amount, terms and responsibilities in writing before accepting an offer.
11. Other Transaction Costs
Depending on your property and circumstances, other expenses may include repairs, cleaning, staging, condominium documents, utility adjustments or other closing adjustments. Ask your lawyer which costs are likely to apply to your sale.
What Does theRealtyCommission.com Charge?
For eligible Ontario properties, theRealtyCommission.com advertises the following flat-fee listing prices:
| Listing Service | Advertised Price | Listing Period |
|---|---|---|
| Property for sale | $199 | 60 days |
| Property for lease | $49 | 60 days |
The $199 fee applies to the advertised sale listing service, and the $49 fee applies to the advertised lease listing service. These are different services for different purposes.
Confirm current pricing, applicable HST, property eligibility, included services and any additional fees in the service terms before ordering. The flat fee does not automatically cover legal costs, moving expenses, optional advertising or any separately agreed buyer-agent compensation.
Private Sale Costs Compared With a Traditional Listing
A traditional listing agreement may involve a negotiated percentage-based commission or another agreed fee. With a flat-fee listing service, the fee for the included listing service is fixed instead of being calculated as a percentage of your home’s sale price.
For example, if a seller negotiates a listing-agent commission of 2.5% on an $800,000 property, that portion of the commission would be $20,000 before applicable tax. Compared with a $199 flat listing fee, the difference is $19,801 before tax and before considering differences in services.
Important: This is an illustrative comparison, not a quote for a traditional listing. Real estate commissions are negotiable. A flat-fee listing does not necessarily include the same services as a full-service listing, and any buyer-agent compensation or other costs must be considered separately.
Calculate Your Potential Listing-Fee Difference
Use the calculator below to estimate the difference between an example percentage-based listing-agent fee and the advertised $199 flat-fee sale listing. Change the sale price and commission percentage to suit your situation.
Example percentage-based listing fee: $20,000.00
Flat-fee sale listing: $199.00
Estimated difference: $19,801.00
Estimate only. This compares the example listing-agent fee with the flat listing fee before applicable taxes. It does not include buyer-agent compensation, legal fees, marketing extras or other transaction costs. Commission rates are negotiable and services may differ.
How Can You Reduce the Cost of Selling Privately?
- Compare listing providers and confirm exactly what each fee includes.
- Use free advertising channels where appropriate.
- Prepare your home carefully before paying for optional staging or upgrades.
- Get quotes from photographers, movers and lawyers before committing.
- Review your mortgage terms and ask your lender about discharge or prepayment costs.
- Understand any buyer-agent compensation arrangement before accepting an offer.
- Keep a written budget for all anticipated expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to sell a house privately in Ontario?
The total varies by property and the services you choose. Potential expenses include listing and advertising, photography, legal services, mortgage discharge, moving and any agreed buyer-agent compensation. TheRealtyCommission.com advertises an eligible sale listing for $199 for 60 days.
What does FSBO mean?
FSBO means “For Sale By Owner.” The property owner takes an active role in marketing and selling the property instead of using a traditional full-service listing agent.
Can I sell my house without a REALTOR®?
You can choose to sell privately, subject to applicable laws and transaction requirements. If you want MLS® or REALTOR.ca exposure, you generally need an eligible listing arrangement through a participating brokerage.
Does the $199 fee include all selling costs?
No. The advertised $199 is for the applicable 60-day sale listing service, subject to its terms. Legal fees, moving costs, optional marketing, applicable taxes and any separately agreed compensation may be additional.
Do I have to pay buyer-agent compensation?
Not automatically. Any compensation depends on the arrangements made and agreed to in the transaction. Review proposed terms carefully and obtain professional advice when needed.
Is selling privately always cheaper?
Not necessarily. Your total cost depends on the fees you negotiate, services you purchase and responsibilities you handle yourself. Compare the full cost and scope of each option rather than looking at the listing fee alone.
Related Resources
- For Sale By Owner Ontario: FSBO Checklist
- How to Sell a House Privately in Ontario
- Sell a House Without a REALTOR® in Ontario
- Flat-Fee MLS® Listings in Ontario
- Can a Private Seller List on REALTOR.ca?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Terms of Service
Explore Your Listing Options
If you want to sell privately while exploring MLS® exposure, review the available service and decide whether it suits your property and your preferred level of involvement.
Advertised sale listing: $199 for 60 days.
Prices, terms and service inclusions may change. Confirm current details before purchasing. REALTOR® and MLS® are registered trademarks of The Canadian Real Estate Association.
