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A mere posting is a posting-only listing agreement in which an Ontario brokerage places your property on its board’s MLS® System, so it also shows on REALTOR.ca, for a flat fee. The brokerage does the posting; you, the owner, handle showings, pricing, negotiation and paperwork, usually with your own lawyer.
What does “mere posting” actually mean?
Instead of a brokerage running your whole sale, you hire it to do one job: get your home onto the MLS® System so buyers and their agents can find it. The posting is the product.
RECO, Ontario’s real estate regulator, describes this in its consumer information guide. It says there’s no standard set of services that every brokerage must provide, and that some sellers sign an agreement purely so their property is advertised on a local listing service. That’s a mere posting.
CREA’s national MLS® rules allow for this. Only a REALTOR® member can place a listing on a board’s MLS® System, and the listing brokerage must act for the seller to post, change or remove it. But the rules leave any extra services up to the agreement between the brokerage and the seller. That is why a flat-fee, posting-only service can exist.
Why can’t I just put my house on MLS® myself?
Because MLS® Systems are run by real estate boards for their members. The Ottawa Real Estate Board puts it simply: only a REALTOR® can list properties on the board’s MLS® System. REALTOR.ca, run by CREA, then shows a shorter version of most of those listings to the public. A homeowner without a licence needs a member brokerage to make the posting, and a mere posting is the lowest-service way to get it.
What does the brokerage do, and what do you do?
The split is the heart of a mere posting. Here’s a typical breakdown. Your actual agreement controls, so always read it.
| Task | Mere posting (flat fee) | Full-service listing |
|---|---|---|
| Place listing on MLS® / REALTOR.ca | Brokerage | Brokerage |
| Photos and description | You supply them (paid add-ons may exist) | Usually the agent |
| Setting the price | You (a market analysis can be added) | Agent advises |
| Answering inquiries and booking showings | You, with leads forwarded to you | Agent |
| Reviewing and negotiating offers | You and your lawyer | Agent, then your lawyer |
| Paperwork after acceptance | You and your lawyer | Agent and your lawyer |
| Fee to the listing brokerage | Flat fee | Usually a percentage of the sale price |
Is a mere posting seller “self-represented”?
Not quite, and the difference matters. RECO’s TRESA FAQs explain that under TRESA, Ontario’s real estate services law, a brokerage can’t sign an agreement with a buyer or seller to trade in real estate unless that agreement includes representation. So a mere posting is a representation agreement, just one with a very short list of services. RECO’s guidance, including Bulletin 6.2, still mentions “self-represented or mere posting” sellers together when it explains how buyer fees can be handled. In both cases, no agent is negotiating for the seller.
Either way, the practical reality is similar: no one is negotiating on your side unless you hire someone. RECO’s page on the risks of representing yourself lists what that means. You decide on price and terms, you deal with competing offers, and the buyer’s agent must share anything you tell them with their client. RECO also recommends getting independent professional advice, such as from a lawyer, before you sign.
What does a mere posting cost?
Flat fees vary by company. Ours are published on our pricing page:
| Package | Price (plus HST) | With 13% HST | Works out to per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month to month (cancel anytime) | $74.99 / month | $84.74 / month | $74.99 |
| 2 months | $98.99 | $111.86 | $49.50 |
| 3 months | $124.97 | $141.22 | $41.66 |
| 6 months (most popular) | $149.97 | $169.47 | $25.00 |
| 12 months | $197.93 | $223.66 | $16.49 |
Pricing starts as low as $16.49 a month with our 12-month plan ($197.93 for 12 months, plus HST). There is no commission payable to the listing brokerage on these packages. Separately, the buyer’s agent is paid under the buyer’s own agreement. You only pay toward that if you agree to it in writing, which we cover in Do I have to pay the buyer’s agent?.
Who is a mere posting a good fit for?
- Owners who are comfortable answering calls, showing the home and talking price with buyers’ agents.
- Sellers who already have a real estate lawyer, or are happy to hire one, to review offers and close.
- People in active markets where MLS® exposure, not hand-holding, is what’s missing.
- Landlords filling a rental. A mere posting works for leases too; see our leasing services.
It’s a weaker fit if you’d rather not negotiate, can’t be reachable for showings, or are dealing with something complex. Examples include an estate sale with several owners, a property with known defects, or tight bridge-financing dates. Remember that Ontario case law still requires sellers to disclose serious hidden (latent) defects, whoever is listing the home.
How does a mere posting work with ListedBySeller.ca?
- Pick a package and submit your listing details and photos online (up to 40 photos on REALTOR.ca).
- Your listing is posted through our partner brokerage, ICI Source Real Asset Services Inc., Brokerage, on the PropTx MLS® System. Typical time to go live: about two days.
- Buyers reach you three ways: the brokerage’s 24/7 receptionist, the “Email REALTOR” button (forwarded automatically, usually within 5 minutes) or the property web page we create for you.
- You run the showings and negotiate, using free agreement templates or our paid agreement preparation service ($199).
- Your lawyer closes the deal. Changes and cancellations are free.
Comparing providers? See how ListedBySeller.ca compares with other Ontario flat-fee services, or read the mere posting service page.
Frequently asked questions
Are mere postings legal in Ontario?
Yes. RECO’s consumer guide notes that some sellers sign an agreement only to have their property advertised on a local listing service, and CREA’s MLS® rules let the listing brokerage and seller agree on what services, beyond posting, are included.
Does a mere posting show up on REALTOR.ca?
Generally yes. REALTOR.ca is run by CREA and displays an abbreviated version of most listings uploaded to member boards’ MLS® Systems. Our listings go on the PropTx MLS® System and from there to REALTOR.ca.
Who negotiates offers on a mere posting?
You do, or a lawyer or other professional you hire. The brokerage that posted the listing is not negotiating for you. Buyers’ agents still represent their own clients and must pass on what you tell them.
Do I pay commission on a mere posting?
With ListedBySeller.ca there is no commission to the listing brokerage, just the flat package fee. What you pay a buyer’s brokerage, if anything, depends on what you agree to in writing. See our guide to buyer agent commission for the details.
How long does a mere posting last?
As long as the agreement you choose. Our packages run month to month or for 2, 3, 6 or 12 months, and we do not charge to change or cancel a listing.
Is a mere posting the same as FSBO?
It’s a form of selling by owner, but with MLS® exposure. A pure FSBO sale uses signs and private websites only; a mere posting adds the MLS® listing that buyers and their agents search.
Sources
All sources below were checked on October 23, 2026. Rules and rates change, so confirm anything important with the source or a professional.
- RECO Information Guide (Real Estate Council of Ontario)
- CREA By-Laws and Rules (approved April 2025), Rule 11.2
- Ottawa Real Estate Board: REALTORS® and the MLS® System
- RECO Bulletin 6.2: Remuneration clause in an agreement of purchase and sale
- RECO: TRESA FAQs
- RECO: Know the risks of representing yourself
- RECO Bulletin 7.4: Facts a seller has a legal obligation to disclose
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: Selling a home
