Insights & News
Off-market real estate is property marketed outside public MLS listings. Read Canadian property insights, investment explanations and private-sale guidance.
The traditional MLS system costs Canadians billions in commissions every year. Here's why the smartest buyers and sellers are going off-market — and how you can too.
The Canadian real estate industry has operated the same way for decades: sellers hire a realtor, pay 4-5% commission, and buyers compete in bidding wars on MLS. But a growing number of Canadians are rejecting this model entirely.
Off-market transactions — where buyers and sellers connect directly — are surging. In 2025, an estimated 30% of Canadian residential transactions happened off-market, up from just 5% five years ago — a $120B+ slice of the market.
The reasons are simple: sellers keep more money, buyers pay less, and both sides have more control over the process. With platforms like Off Market Match making direct connections easy and secure, the traditional realtor model is facing real disruption for the first time.
For investors especially, off-market deals offer something MLS never can: exclusivity. When you find a property before it hits the open market, you eliminate competition and gain negotiating power. That's why the most successful real estate investors in Canada have always prioritized off-market sourcing.
Canadian homeowners pay among the highest real estate commissions in the developed world. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to keep that money in your pocket.
On a $700,000 home — the average price in many Canadian cities — a standard 5% realtor commission totals $35,000. That money comes directly out of the sale price, reducing what the seller nets and inflating what the buyer pays.
By transacting directly through Off Market Match, both parties split that savings. Sellers can price their property slightly lower (while still netting more), and buyers get a better deal. The only professional you truly need is a real estate lawyer (or notary in Quebec) — which is required by law anyway.
Not all markets are created equal for off-market deals. Here are the cities where investors are finding the best opportunities right now.
1. Hamilton, ON — Strong rental demand, aging housing stock perfect for BRRRR, and prices still well below Toronto. Many motivated sellers from the 2021-22 peak are looking for quiet exits.
2. Calgary, AB — No land transfer tax, affordable entry points, and a population boom from interprovincial migration. Cash flow is king here.
Going direct doesn't mean going unprotected. Here's how our Deal Protection system ensures every transaction is secure, transparent, and legally sound.
One common concern about direct transactions is safety. When you're handling a deal yourself, how do you know you're protected? The answer: with the right tools, you get stronger protections than the traditional model ever offered.
Off Market Match's Deal Protection system includes legal agreements (NCNDA, Fee Protection), identity verification through Plaid, secure document transmission with encryption and audit trails, and a compliance scoring system that monitors for circumvention attempts.
Wholesaling is the most accessible entry point into real estate investing. Here's how it works in Canada and how Off Market Match makes it easier.
Wholesaling is simple in concept: find a motivated seller, lock the property under contract at a below-market price, then assign that contract to an end buyer for a fee. You never actually buy the property — you earn money by connecting sellers with buyers.
Buying a home might seem overwhelming, but the steps are simpler than you think. Here's a breakdown of the process and the tools you need.
Buying property might seem complicated, but let's break down what actually happens in a real estate transaction — and who really does the work.
A mortgage broker handles your financing. A home inspector evaluates the property. A real estate lawyer handles all legal work, title searches, and closing.