An off-market home sale is a transaction arranged privately without public MLS marketing. Exposure, inquiries and closing timelines depend on the situation, not a guaranteed outcome.
The traditional model is optional. More sellers are discovering that private transactions deliver everything they need without the cost and disruption of MLS.
Eliminate the 4–5% agent commission that's been standard practice since homes were worth a fraction of today's values. The percentage hasn't changed. The dollar amount has tripled.
No strangers at open houses. No public listing broadcasting your interior photos, asking price, and personal context. Only pre-screened buyers with verified identities access your listing.
Close in 30 days or 6 months. Accept conditions that work for your situation. No MLS listing windows or offer-night pressure forcing decisions on someone else's schedule.
The private sale process follows the same legal framework as MLS — with more control and significantly lower cost.
Use OffMarketMatch's AI CMA tool to understand your market value — or commission an independent appraisal from a certified appraiser. Accurate pricing is the foundation of a successful private sale.
Declutter, deep clean, and make necessary repairs. Professional photography is worth the investment. OffMarketMatch's AI virtual staging can transform room photos without the cost of physical staging.
List on OffMarketMatch to connect with verified buyers across Canada. Your address stays private until you approve a buyer. AI matching finds buyers whose criteria align with your property.
Review buyer profiles and pre-qualification before scheduling showings. You control who sees your home and when — no open houses unless you choose them.
Receive and review offers with your lawyer. Negotiate directly with the buyer on price, conditions, and closing date. Accept when the deal works for you.
Your lawyer handles the closing mechanics. Transfer title on the date you agreed to. Receive your net proceeds — with the full commission savings in your pocket.
Private home sales are legal in all 13 Canadian provinces and territories. Find province-specific information:
Yes. Selling your home privately without an agent is completely legal in every Canadian province and territory. Only a real estate lawyer (or notary in Quebec) is legally required to complete the title transfer. You are not required to list on MLS or use a licensed real estate agent.
The typical Canadian real estate commission is 4–5%, split between the listing agent and buyer's agent. On a $700,000 home, this is $28,000–$35,000. On a $1.2M home, you'd save $48,000–$60,000. You still pay legal fees (typically $1,500–$3,000) but your total selling cost is dramatically lower.
Studies and surveys consistently show that sellers in off-market transactions receive fair market value — and in supply-constrained markets, often receive multiple offers from motivated buyers. The assumption that MLS always generates higher prices isn't supported by the data, especially when you factor in the commission cost that reduces your net proceeds.
OffMarketMatch provides an AI-powered Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) tool that analyzes recent comparable sales, active listings, and market trends to estimate fair market value. You can also commission an independent appraisal from a CREA-designated appraiser (typically $350–$500) for a certified valuation.
Required steps include: hire a real estate lawyer, complete a property disclosure (vary by province), receive an offer and sign an Agreement of Purchase and Sale, fulfill any purchase conditions, and coordinate title transfer at closing through your lawyer. Your lawyer handles all registration, mortgage discharge, and funds transfer.
OffMarketMatch verifies buyer identities through a KYC process before they can access seller contact information. Sellers also receive an NCNDA (Non-Circumvention, Non-Disclosure Agreement) from buyers before sharing property details. You can additionally request proof of mortgage pre-approval before arranging showings.
List on OffMarketMatch and connect with verified buyers across Canada. Keep your privacy, your equity, and your timeline.