What is FSBO? “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) means selling your property without hiring a licensed real estate agent to represent you. The owner takes responsibility for pricing, marketing, showings, negotiations, paperwork, and coordinating the closing. A major motivator is avoiding the listing agent’s portion of the commission, which is typically around 2.5% of the selling price. The total...

This guide explains what a deposit is, why it matters, how much you can expect to pay, and the rules that govern it across Canada.Defining a Real Estate DepositA real estate deposit is a good-faith payment made by the buyer to show they are serious about purchasing the property. It is not an extra fee because it becomes part of the buyer’s down payment and is credited toward the total purchase price on...

MPORTANT DISCLOSURE:This content is published by PropertyMesh.ca for educational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, tax, or mortgage advice. PropertyMesh.ca is NOT a brokerage or lender. Our real estate content is supervised by licensed broker Faiza Ahmed (RECO #4791581) through International Realty Firm, Inc. Always consult a licensed mortgage professional for personalized loan advice.What is a...

TL;DR In Canada, the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) isn’t one website. It’s a co-operative network of regional databases run by local real estate boards/associations. REALTORS® use these systems to share listings, set up cooperation with other brokerages, and negotiate offers. REALTOR.ca is not an MLS® — it’s a national public portal that displays portions of MLS® listings from across...

When an Open House is Really Worth ItIn most cases, open houses aren’t your closing strategy — but there’s one clear exception: a hot market with more serious buyers than private showing slots.When inventory is low and buyer demand is surging, private showings can book up in hours. In these conditions, an open house can efficiently funnel dozens of buyers — and their agents — through in a single...

When selling a home, two viewing methods dominate: open houses and private showings.You’ve probably heard that open houses build excitement and private showings close the deal.That’s partly true — but there’s more to the story.This guide covers everything you’ve likely seen in Google search results about the topic, then adds proven research so you can decide which approach works best for your...

There is a very basic understanding of Discount and Full Service real estate agents, which is often reduced to a simple pros and cons list. However, due to shifts in the real estate market, many discount realtors are now offering similar — if not identical — services to their full-service counterparts.In this article, we answer three important questions:Does a higher commission translate to better...

In the complex landscape of Canadian real estate, one of the most persistent questions and sources of confusion for both buyers and sellers is this: What percentage do REALTORS® actually make from a home sale? While 5% has long been cited as the industry "norm," the reality is both more nuanced and increasingly negotiable.This guide cuts through the generalizations to examine how real estate agents are...

Choosing a real estate agent isn’t about picking the friendliest face on a bus bench. It’s a business decision — one that can affect how much you earn (or spend), how quickly you move, and how confidently you navigate the market.Here’s how to evaluate prospects using hard metrics and peer-reviewed insights — not industry marketing. Verify Licensing and Professional StandingStart with the...

With discreet academic insights and trusted data integrationAs a licensed broker, I’ve spent years helping clients navigate one of the most confusing costs in real estate: commission. It’s often accepted as a given 5% split between agents but few sellers realize how much flexibility and strategy actually exist behind that number.This guide is written with sellers in mind. It breaks down how commission...