Selling your house privately — often called FSBO (For Sale By Owner) — is completely legal in Ontario, and thousands of homeowners do it every year to avoid paying roughly 5% commission plus HST. The challenge has always been reach: the MLS® System and REALTOR.ca are only accessible through a licensed brokerage, and that's where most buyers and their agents look. This guide walks through selling privately the smart way — keeping control while still getting full exposure.
Step 1 — Understand what you're saving (and what you're taking on)
On an $800,000 sale, a traditional 5% commission plus HST is about $45,200 out of your equity. Selling privately means you keep that — but you take on pricing, marketing, showings, and negotiation yourself. The good news: you can add professional help for just the parts you want, à la carte.
Step 2 — Price it right
Overpricing is the #1 reason private sales stall. Look at recent sold comparables (not just active listings) in your neighbourhood, adjust for condition and lot, and be honest about the market. A Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) from a licensed REALTOR® removes the guesswork. See our full home pricing guide.
Step 3 — Get on MLS® and REALTOR.ca
This is the step private sellers can't do alone. A flat-fee MLS® listing puts your home on the same MLS® system and REALTOR.ca that full-commission agents use — for one flat fee instead of a percentage. Your listing also syndicates to 10,000+ real estate websites and is discoverable on Google. You still handle your own showings and talk to buyers directly.
Step 4 — Decide on buyer-agent commission
You're not required to offer the buyer's agent anything, but offering a competitive commission (often 2%) encourages agents to bring their buyers. It's optional and entirely your call — here's how to think about it.
Step 5 — Handle showings and offers
Keep the home clean and available, be responsive, and screen inquiries. When offers come in, you can negotiate yourself or add Offer Handling so a licensed REALTOR® manages the paperwork, negotiation, and compliance for you.
The bottom line
You can absolutely sell privately in Ontario and keep your commission — you just need MLS® exposure to reach serious buyers. That's exactly what a flat-fee listing gives you.
- Full MLS® + REALTOR.ca exposure without a 5% commission
- You stay in control of showings and decisions
- Add a CMA or Offer Handling only if you want it
List on MLS® for a flat fee — keep your commission
Full MLS® & REALTOR.ca exposure through a licensed Ontario brokerage, without the 5% commission.