Residential Services · Seller path
Sell your home for what it’s worth.
Pick the property type, get a sold-comp valuation, prep & marketing plan, and pricing scenarios — fast, fair, ambitious.
Quick answer
How do I sell my home in the GTA in 2026?
Seven-step process: sold-comp valuation, property prep + staging, professional photography, MLS listing, review offers, conditional period, then closing. Total timeline 30-90 days to firm sale + 30-60 days to close. Commission typically 5% of sale price + HST. The first 14 days on market drive 70% of total showings — pricing right + photos out fast is everything. Alex Goodman (RE/MAX Your Community Realty) provides a 14-day launch plan and sold-comp valuation for every GTA residential listing.
Step 3 · Property category
What are you looking to sell?
The category narrows the rest of the page. Each one has its own comps, regulations, and buyer pool.
Step 4 · Services & Step 5 · Why
What sellers actually need.
Five services. Each one paired with the why — so you can push back on anything that doesn't earn its place.
01
What you actually need
Listing readiness, timeline, and the trade-offs between speed and price.
Why we do that
Most sellers price for the brochure, not the buyer's mortgage approval.
02
Property prep & staging
Decluttering checklist, staging direction, repairs that actually pay back.
Why we do that
A $4k stage routinely returns $40k. The right repairs do too.
03
Property valuation (CMA)
Sold-comp pricing — three scenarios (fast, fair, ambitious) with the trade-offs.
Why we do that
Pricing strategy beats list price. Days-on-market is the real cost.
04
Comparable sold listings
Recent sales in your pocket — proves the price to the buyer's agent.
Why we do that
A buyer's offer is only as strong as the sold comps that justify it.
05
Listing & marketing plan
Photos, video, MLS, social, broker network — sequenced for the first 14 days.
Why we do that
First two weeks set the price. Everything after is a discount.
Step 6 · How it benefits you
Ten things you'll feel through the process.
01
Clarity
Know the number before you list or bid.
02
Confidence
Bid or counter without guessing.
03
Speed
Fewer days on market, fewer wasted showings.
04
Net
More dollars in your pocket after fees.
05
Calm
Fewer surprises mid-deal.
06
Fit
Homes filtered to your real shortlist.
07
Proof
Every claim tied to actual sold data.
08
Access
Off-market & pre-list opportunities.
09
Service
One point of contact, end-to-end.
10
Trust
RE/MAX brokerage power behind every move.
Step-by-step
How to sell a home in the Greater Toronto Area
Seven steps from valuation to closing for a GTA residential sale. Average timeline: 30-90 days to firm sale + 30-60 day close.
- 01
Sold-comp valuation
Three pricing scenarios (fast, fair, ambitious) based on actual sold prices for comparable properties in the last 90 days. Pricing strategy matters more than list price — listing high then resetting depresses final sale by 5-10%.
- 02
Property prep + staging
Declutter, deep-clean, and stage. Typical $4-8k staging investment returns $30-80k in sale price. Strategic repairs only — fix deferred maintenance, but don't renovate a kitchen unless it's actively suppressing comp price.
- 03
Professional photography + marketing
Photos shot day 1 of listing. Marketing plan includes MLS launch, broker network, social campaigns, sometimes video walk-through. First-14-day attention determines 70% of total showings.
- 04
List on MLS + show
MLS goes live with full marketing the same day. Open houses (typically 2-3 weekend slots in the first 10 days) plus showings by appointment. Aim for 30+ showings in the first 14 days to validate pricing.
- 05
Review offers
Offers come in by date (if there's a hold-date) or as registered. Compare price + conditions + close date + deposit. Counter or accept. Bully offers (registered early before offer date) require careful response — your agent walks the trade-offs.
- 06
Conditional period
Buyer's conditions (inspection, financing, status certificate) typically resolve in 5-10 days. You may receive requests for repairs or credits. Negotiation here is where experienced agents earn their commission — knowing what's standard vs. what's a low-ball.
- 07
Closing
Your lawyer handles mortgage discharge, title transfer, and final adjustments. You move out the day before close or same day. Commission is paid out of sale proceeds. Capital gains tax applies only on non-principal-residence (investment + recreational).
FAQ
Common home-selling questions
Direct answers to the questions buyers and sellers ask most often. Specific to Ontario regulations + 2026 GTA market.
How long does it take to sell a home in the GTA?
Average days on market in 2026: detached 36-44 days, semi 35-42 days, town 38-45 days, condo 39-47 days. The first 14 days drive 70% of total showings — pricing + photos + marketing must launch fast. Premium $2M+ homes often take 50-70 days due to thinner buyer pools. Worst case (over-priced from launch): 90-120+ days requires a major price reset, which signals to the market and depresses the final sale by 5-10%.
What should I do to prepare my home for sale?
Three priorities in order: (1) declutter + deep clean — single highest ROI move. (2) Staging — typical $4k-$8k staging investment returns $30k-$80k in sale price. (3) Strategic repairs only — fix obvious deferred items (peeling paint, broken fixtures, dated light fixtures); don't renovate kitchens or bathrooms unless dated kitchen is dragging price below comps by more than the renovation cost.
What commission do real estate agents charge in Ontario?
Total commission typically 5% of sale price (2.5% to listing agent, 2.5% to buyer agent) on residential. Negotiable — some agents offer 4-4.5%, full-service flat fee, or tiered pricing on luxury homes ($3M+). HST is added on top. Compare offerings carefully: marketing budget, professional photography, broker network, negotiation experience often matter more than the % rate alone.
What's the difference between asking price and sold price?
Pricing strategy matters enormously. Underpriced + offer date = bidding war drives sold over asking (typical: 5-15% over in active markets). Listed at market = sells at or near asking within 14 days. Listed above market = drags on market, eventually sells below asking. GTA sold-to-list ratio in 2026 averages 98-102% depending on submarket — meaning most homes sell within 2% of their list price after the first reset.
What are the closing costs when selling a home in Ontario?
Approximately 5-7% of sale price. Major items: real estate commission (4-5% + HST), legal fees ($1,500-$2,500), discharge of existing mortgage ($300-$500), and property tax + utility adjustments. Capital gains tax applies only on non-principal-residence (investment + recreational properties) at 50% inclusion rate. Don't forget moving costs, staging recovery, and any final repairs negotiated with the buyer.
Step 7 · Start
Pick a property category — or get a valuation started today.