Here are a few tips to help you make educated home-selling decisions:

Prepare to Sell Your Home

• Plan ahead for selling costs, including real estate commission, legal fees, moving expenses, and any updates or repairs.
• In Muskoka and Lake of Bays, commission is typically around 5% + HST, but your REALTOR® will walk you through the details.
• Work with a local, knowledgeable REALTOR® who understands the Muskoka market—waterfront, rural, and lifestyle properties require a different strategy than city homes.
• Take the time to interview a few REALTORS® and choose someone you trust, who has a clear plan to market and sell your property.

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Arriving at a List Price

• Your REALTOR® will provide a detailed market analysis, including recent comparable sales, current competition, and local trends in Muskoka and Lake of Bays.
• Together, you’ll determine a pricing strategy designed to attract serious buyers while maximizing your property’s value.
• At this stage, you’ll also review and sign a Listing Agreement.

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Prepare Your Property for Market

First impressions matter—your REALTOR® will guide you on how to prepare your home or cottage to show at its best.

This may include:

• Decluttering and staging
• Light updates or repairs
• Interior and exterior clean-up
• Enhancing waterfront or outdoor spaces

Create a clear timeline so everything is ready before going live.

Gather important documents such as property taxes, utility costs, surveys, and (if applicable) septic and well information—this helps buyers feel confident and informed.

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Market Your Property

Exposure is key. Your REALTOR® will market your home across:

• MLS® and REALTOR.ca
• Professional photography and video
• Social media and digital campaigns
• Agent networks and qualified buyer outreach

You can also spread the word within your own network—every bit of exposure helps.

Be prepared for showings and try to be as flexible as possible to accommodate interested buyers.

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Receiving an Offer

• When an offer comes in, your REALTOR® will walk you through all terms—price, deposit, conditions, timelines, and more.
• Negotiation is a key part of the process, and this is where strong representation matters most.
• Once both parties reach an agreement, the offer is accepted.

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Close the Sale

• After acceptance, you’ll work through any conditions in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale.
• Your REALTOR® will guide you until the sale becomes firm.
• A local real estate lawyer will handle the legal side of the transaction and closing details.
• Stay organized and be prepared for closing day—your REALTOR® and lawyer will ensure everything comes together smoothly.