Selling a house seems simple from afar: you put up a sign, someone buys it. The reality involves several steps, and skipping one can cost time or money. The process is also governed by Quebec’s real estate brokerage regulations, designed to protect both the seller and the buyer. Here is the complete path, without jargon.
Before Listing
Everything begins with the price. A broker establishes the market value based on recent comparable sales, then you agree on a strategic listing price. Next comes the signing of the brokerage contract, which defines the mandate. The broker collects and verifies a series of information about the property: taxes, area, condition of main components, and has you complete the seller’s declaration, a key document that limits future disputes. If your certificate of location is more than ten years old or no longer reflects the current state of the premises, now is the time to mandate a land surveyor, as the notary will require an up-to-date one.
Marketing and Offers
The property is then prepared, photographed, and advertised. Showings follow one another, ideally with already qualified buyers. When an offer arrives, it takes the form of an offer to purchase, often with conditions: pre-purchase inspection, obtaining financing, sometimes the sale of the buyer’s property. Negotiation takes place here, not only on the price but also on the conditions and dates. Good support makes the difference between a smoothly accepted offer and a transaction that goes awry.
From Acceptance to Signing
Once the offer is accepted, the conditions are lifted one by one: the inspection takes place, financing is confirmed. The file then goes to the notary, who verifies the titles, ensures that the certificate of location is compliant, and prepares the deed of sale. It is the notary who formalizes the transfer of ownership by publishing it in the Land Register, and then coordinates the disbursement of funds. Generally, a few weeks pass between acceptance and signing. The very first step, which conditions everything else, remains knowing the value of your property: request a free evaluation of your property.
Questions
How long does it take to sell a home, from start to finish?
The timeline is divided into two parts. First, the marketing period, which depends on the listing price, the condition of the property, and the area. Then, the period from acceptance to signing, which generally takes a few weeks—the time required for conditions to be waived and for the notary to verify the titles.
Is the seller’s declaration mandatory?
Yes, as soon as a broker is involved. The Declarations by the Seller of the Immovable form is one of the mandatory OACIQ forms for residential properties with fewer than five units, as well as for divided and undivided co-ownerships. It details the condition of the property and protects you just as much as it informs the buyer.
What happens if a condition of the promise to purchase is not met?
If a condition is not fulfilled within the specified timeframe—for example, a refused financing or an inconclusive inspection—the promise to purchase becomes null and void. The sale does not close, and the property goes back on the market. This is precisely why we evaluate the strength of an offer, and not just the amount.
Can the listing price be changed during the mandate?
Yes. The price is not fixed for the duration of the brokerage contract: it can be changed by signing an amendment to the contract with your broker. A thoughtful adjustment after a few weeks is better than a property that lingers and ends up worrying buyers.
