Selling in Toronto, phase by phase.

Primarily from evidence: recent sales of comparable homes nearby, the competition currently on the market, and your home's specific condition and features. Online estimates and tax assessments are starting points at best. A careful comparative market analysis — and ultimately what a qualified buyer will pay — determines value.

No. There is no standard, fixed or recommended commission in Ontario — not from RECO, not from the government, and not from any real estate board. Brokerage remuneration is negotiable and must be set out in your listing agreement. Discuss the amount and structure with any brokerage you interview before you sign.

Not in a standard resale. Land transfer tax in Ontario (and Toronto's municipal version) is paid by the buyer. As a seller your main closing costs are paying out your mortgage, any prepayment charge, brokerage remuneration plus HST, legal fees, and adjustments. Your lawyer will prepare the exact statement.

Known hidden defects that make a home dangerous or unfit to live in must not be concealed, and misrepresenting your home's condition can create legal liability after closing. Beyond the legal minimums, honest disclosure protects you: surprises found by a buyer's inspector mid-deal cost more than the same facts disclosed up front. When unsure whether something needs disclosing, ask your lawyer.

Usually not substantially. Large renovations rarely return their full cost at sale, and they delay your listing. Repairs, decluttering, paint and presentation tend to be the better investment. Have your agent walk the home first — they see what buyers in your price range actually respond to and can tell you what is worth doing.

No. You are not obligated to accept any offer, and the highest price is not always the strongest offer once you weigh conditions, deposit, closing date and the buyer's financing. A firm offer at a slightly lower price can be worth more than a conditional one at a higher price. Your agent's job is to help you weigh the whole offer, not just the number.

Under Ontario's TRESA rules, the contents of competing offers are confidential by default. You may choose an open-offer process and direct your brokerage in writing to share the substance of competing offers — but if you do, it applies to the process as your written direction sets out, and buyers may respond by withdrawing. Your brokerage must explain the options and follow your written direction either way.

The deposit is normally held in trust — typically by the listing brokerage — until closing, when it is credited to the purchase price. If a transaction fails, the deposit is generally released only by mutual direction of both parties or a court order; it does not automatically go to either side. Your lawyer can explain what applies to your agreement.

Yes, but the sale does not end the tenancy — the buyer generally inherits the tenant and the lease. Ontario has specific rules and notice requirements if a buyer intends to occupy the home personally, and showings of tenanted homes require proper notice. Get advice on the sequence before listing; mishandling tenant rights can derail a sale.

If the home qualified as your principal residence for every year you owned it, the gain is usually sheltered by the principal residence exemption — but the sale must still be reported on your tax return. Rental or income properties, homes owned for a short time (the flipping rules), and non-resident sellers face different treatment. Confirm your situation with a tax professional before you count your net.

If you pay out a closed mortgage before its term ends, your lender may charge a penalty — commonly three months' interest or an interest-rate-differential amount, whichever is greater, depending on your mortgage. On a large balance this can be a five-figure cost. Ask your lender for a written payout statement early; the figure belongs in your net-proceeds math from day one.

Earlier than most sellers do. A real estate lawyer must handle your closing, but they can also review the listing paperwork, advise on disclosure questions, and flag title or survey issues before they become deal problems. Involving your lawyer when you list — not just when you have a firm deal — is inexpensive insurance.

There is no guaranteed timeline. Time on market depends on price, property type, neighbourhood, season and the market's direction, and each of those shifts. Pricing on the evidence and presenting the home well are the levers you control. Your agent can show you current absorption in your segment — treat any prediction as a scenario, not a promise.