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Yes, you can. In Canada, only a licensed brokerage that belongs to a real estate board can place a listing on the MLS® System, so you can’t post it entirely on your own. A flat fee MLS listing (also called a mere posting) is the workaround: a brokerage posts your home for a set fee, and you sell it yourself.
It’s one of the most common questions private sellers ask, and the answer is simpler than most people expect. You don’t need to hire a full-service agent to get on the MLS® System. You need a brokerage willing to post your listing, and that’s exactly what a flat fee MLS listing provides.
Why can’t I post my house on MLS myself?
MLS® Systems are run by local real estate boards for their members, and REALTOR.ca, run by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), shows the public a version of most of those listings. Only member brokerages can add properties. A homeowner can’t open an account and upload a listing directly.
That doesn’t mean you need to pay a full commission. Ontario’s regulator, RECO, explains in its consumer information guide that brokerages offer different levels of service, and some sellers sign an agreement only to have their property advertised on a listing service. Our guide to mere postings in Ontario explains how that agreement works.
What are my options for selling without a realtor in Canada?
1. Pure for sale by owner (FSBO)
You sell with a lawn sign, social media and private sale websites. It costs little, but your home isn’t on the MLS® System or REALTOR.ca, which is where most buyers and their agents look. Read our honest take on whether FSBO is worth it in Ontario.
2. A flat fee MLS listing
A licensed brokerage places your home on the MLS® System and REALTOR.ca for a fixed price. You set the price, handle showings and negotiate offers, and your lawyer closes the deal. At ListedBySeller.ca, pricing starts as low as $16.49 a month with our 12-month plan ($197.93 for 12 months, plus HST).
3. A full-service agent
An agent handles pricing, marketing, showings and negotiation, and you pay a commission based on your sale price. Compare the costs in how much real estate commission is in Ontario.
For most sellers who are comfortable doing some of the work, a flat fee listing gives the same online exposure as a full-service listing at a much lower cost. Our comparison of Ontario flat fee MLS options shows how services differ.
How do I get a flat fee MLS listing in Ontario?
- Choose a package on our pricing and services page.
- Submit your property details, description and photos.
- Provide photo ID and your property tax bill so we can confirm ownership.
- Your listing goes live on the MLS® System and REALTOR.ca in about two days.
- Answer inquiries, book showings and review offers. Your lawyer holds the buyer’s deposit and handles closing.
Our listings go on the PropTx MLS® System, which covers boards including Durham, London, Woodstock, Mississauga and Halton. Stratford (Matrix 360) and Chatham-Kent (its own MLS® System) aren’t included in the basic plan, and other boards can sometimes be added through our interboard upgrade. If you’re not sure your area is covered, contact us. Local guides: Durham Region, London and Mississauga.
Do I need to offer a commission to the buyer’s agent?
Many buyers work with an agent, and that agent’s brokerage is usually paid by the seller through a co-op commission. With your own listing, you decide the amount. You can set any amount you like, and many sellers offer 2% to 2.5%. It’s shown in your listing so agents know the terms. Learn more in do I have to pay the buyer’s agent.
What is the most common reason a property fails to sell?
In most cases it’s price. A home that’s priced above what similar homes have recently sold for gets fewer showings, sits longer, and often ends up selling for less after price cuts. But price isn’t the only reason. Here are the issues we see most often, and how to avoid them.
Overpricing
Base your price on recent sold prices of similar homes nearby, not on what neighbours are asking or what you need to net. If you’d like an objective starting point, our pricing service gives you a comparative market analysis (CMA) for $99. If showings are slow after the first few weeks, take that as feedback on price.
Weak photos and description
Buyers decide from their phone whether to book a showing. Dark, cluttered or blurry photos cost you visits. Shoot in daylight, declutter first, and lead with your best room. Our property photo tips help, or book our professional photo services. Write a description that’s specific: updates, room sizes, parking, nearby schools and transit.
Hard-to-book showings
If agents can’t get in, they move on to the next listing. Be flexible with showing times, respond quickly to requests, and keep the home ready to show. Our 24/7 live receptionist answers calls about your listing so inquiries aren’t missed.
Condition and first impressions
Small fixes, fresh paint, clean windows and a tidy entrance make a home feel cared for. Buyers notice deferred maintenance and often discount their offer for it.
For more ideas, see 10 reasons your home isn’t selling in Ontario.
Is it legal to sell my own house in Canada?
Yes. You don’t need a licence to sell your own home. What you do need is a lawyer (or a notary in Quebec) to handle the closing, and good paperwork. In Ontario, your lawyer holds the buyer’s deposit and completes the transfer. See do I need a lawyer to sell my house privately and our paperwork checklist.
Ready to list your house on MLS without a realtor?
You get the same MLS® and REALTOR.ca exposure buyers rely on, without paying a full commission. Pricing starts as low as $16.49 a month with our 12-month plan ($197.93 for 12 months, plus HST). Start your listing at listedbyseller.ca and you can be live in about two days.
Frequently asked questions
Can I list my house on MLS without a realtor in Canada?
Yes, through a flat fee MLS listing. Only a licensed brokerage can post to the MLS System, so you hire one to post your listing for a set fee and sell the home yourself.
Will my home appear on REALTOR.ca?
Yes. Listings placed on the MLS System are sent to REALTOR.ca, where buyers search for homes.
How much does it cost to list on MLS without an agent?
With ListedBySeller.ca, pricing starts as low as $16.49 a month with our 12-month plan ($197.93 for 12 months, plus HST).
What is the most common reason a house doesn’t sell?
Overpricing. Homes priced above recent comparable sales get fewer showings. Weak photos and hard-to-book showings are other common causes.
Do I need a lawyer to sell my house without a realtor?
In Ontario, yes for closing. Your lawyer holds the buyer’s deposit, prepares closing documents and handles the transfer.
Which areas does ListedBySeller.ca cover?
Our basic plan includes the PropTx MLS System, which covers boards including Durham, London, Woodstock, Mississauga and Halton. Stratford and Chatham-Kent aren’t included. Contact us if you’re unsure about your area.
