Get Up to $3,000 Back When You Buy a Home with Ottawa Cashback REALTOR® Jason Polonski
A cashback realtor in Ottawa is a licensed agent who returns part of the buyer-agent commission to you after closing — and with Jason Polonski, that means up to $3,000 back when you buy a home in Ottawa, Kanata, Barrhaven, Stittsville, or a surrounding community. It’s fully legal in Ontario, and on a home you’ll live in, it isn’t taxed. But here’s the part the other cashback ads won’t tell you: the rebate is the easy thing to copy. Any agent can dangle a cheque.
Before we get into how the cashback works and how much you’ll get, let’s talk about who you’d actually be working with.
Meet Jason Polonski, your Ottawa cashback realtor
Jason Polonski is a full-time REALTOR® with Right at Home Realty who has spent more than 15 years helping hundreds of buyers and sellers move across Ottawa, with a deep focus on the west end — Kanata, Stittsville, Barrhaven, Manotick, Nepean, Carp, and Westboro. He’s a member in good standing of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
He doesn’t work like a typical agent, and that’s the point. Jason thinks of himself as a move coordinator, not a salesperson — someone whose first job is to help you avoid a costly timing mistake, and only then to optimize your price. He leads with a plan for your search, not a pitch, and he treats your purchase the way he’d treat his own: cautiously where it matters, aggressively where it pays off. You can read more about his background and approach on his About Jason Polonski page, and hear directly from people he’s worked with on his Google Business Profile.
That work has been recognized year after year: Chairman’s Club (2025, 2021), the Canadian Choice Award (2025), Director’s Club (2023–2024), President’s Club (2022), and Best in Ottawa Top REALTOR® for seven years running. Awards are nice. What they really signal is consistency — buyers and sellers who came back and who sent their friends
Why Jason isn’t just a choice — he’s the only call that makes sense
Plenty of agents in Ottawa will offer you cash back. Almost none of them offer it the way Jason does: full representation, a trades-trained eye on every home, real availability, and a rebate on top — with nothing quietly removed to pay for it. Once you line those up side by side, the decision tends to make itself. Here’s why.
A trades-trained eye most agents simply don’t have
Before real estate, Jason worked in the construction and electrical trades, and he holds a technical diploma in construction electricity alongside a Bachelor of Commerce in marketing and finance. That background changes what happens when you walk a home together. Where another agent sees a “cozy finished basement,” Jason sees whether it was finished over a moisture problem. He clocks aluminum wiring, a furnace limping toward replacement, a roof with a few winters left, a panel that won’t pass an inspection.
Those are the details that quietly cost buyers tens of thousands of dollars after closing — and they’re the easiest things to miss when you’ve fallen for a house. Knowing what to look at harder, when to build a condition into your offer, and how to weigh a repair against the asking price is exactly where a great agent earns their keep. A rebate from an agent who doesn’t notice any of it is a discount on a mistake.
Full service, never a discount-shop downgrade
This is the line that matters most. A discount or flat-fee brokerage lowers its price by lowering its service — fewer showings, less negotiation, you doing more of the work. Jason’s cash back is different in kind: you get complete, hands-on representation, and the rebate comes out of a commission that already exists in the deal, not out of the help you receive. Nothing is traded away. If you want the fuller case for why representation is worth having in the first place, he’s laid it out in the benefits of working with a full-service real estate agent.
Reachable seven days a week, when it actually counts
Homes don’t come up on a schedule, and offers rarely fall on a Tuesday afternoon. Jason is available seven days a week, and in a market where the right listing can demand a same-day showing and a same-night decision, that access is often the difference between the home you wanted and the one you settled for. You’re not routed through an assistant or waiting on a callback — you’re dealing with Jason.
So how does the cashback actually work?
When a home sells, the seller typically pays a total commission that’s split between the listing brokerage and the buyer’s brokerage. As your buyer’s agent, Jason is paid from that buyer-side portion — and a cashback realtor simply shares part of it back with you once the deal closes.
The mechanics are refreshingly simple. You’re represented under a written buyer representation agreement, the cashback is spelled out in writing before you make an offer, and after closing — once Jason has received his commission from the listing brokerage or builder — the rebate comes to you. You’ll have it within two business days of Jason receiving those funds. None of it changes how your offer is written, how hard the negotiation is fought, or how much attention you get along the way. The money is just returned to you at the finish line.
How much cashback can you get when you buy in Ottawa?
You can receive up to $3,000 cash back on a qualifying home purchase in Ottawa and the surrounding area. The exact amount depends on the property’s location and the buyer-side commission being offered on that specific home, so it’s confirmed for you in writing before you commit to anything — no guessing, no moving target.
For first-time buyers especially, that money lands where it hurts most early on. You’re likely stretching to pull together a down payment and leaning on tools like the federal Home Buyers’ Plan, and a few thousand dollars back at closing goes straight against the costs that stack up in the first weeks — the Ontario land transfer tax, legal fees, movers, the fridge that doesn’t come with the house.
The offer covers two situations. On resale homes, you qualify wherever a buyer’s agent commission is offered — which is the norm right across the Ottawa resale market. On new builds, cash back is available where the builder offers a buyer-side commission, and this is where buyers leave the most money on the table: walk into a builder’s sales centre without your own agent, and that commission can vanish. A new build comes with coverage under Ontario’s new home warranty program, but a warranty protects the house — it doesn’t put someone at the table negotiating upgrades, price, and timelines on your side. Bringing Jason from your first visit protects both your representation and your rebate.
What full-service representation really gets you as a buyer
Since the whole promise here is that you keep full service and get money back, it’s worth being specific about what “full service” actually means day-to-day — because for most buyers, this is the part that decides whether a purchase goes smoothly or sideways.
It starts before you tour a single home, with a clear conversation about what you need, what you can spend, and where in Ottawa your money goes furthest. From there Jason lines up showings quickly, walks each home with that trades-trained eye, and tells you plainly when a place isn’t worth your offer — even when it’s the one you’ve already fallen for. When you do find it, he builds an offer that’s competitive enough to win but protected with the right conditions, so you’re not waiving your way into a problem. That’s where knowing how to negotiate a better deal turns into real dollars and real peace of mind.
Then comes the part buyers underestimate: the stretch between an accepted offer and closing day. Inspections, financing conditions, the lawyer, the deposit, the paperwork, the deadlines that don’t move — Jason coordinates it so nothing slips through the cracks. You can see how he handles buyers and sellers across the West End on the Ottawa Realty Man homepage. The cash back is the bonus at the end. This is the work that earns it.
Who qualifies for the Ottawa cashback offer?
You qualify when three things line up: you’re buying a home in Ottawa, Kanata, or a surrounding community; the listing brokerage or builder is offering a buyer-side commission on that home; and you’re represented by Jason under a written buyer representation agreement, with the rebate documented before you make an offer. That covers the large majority of resale purchases in the region, plus new builds where the builder pays buyer-side commission.
A couple of situations are worth raising early. If you’ve already signed a representation agreement with another brokerage on the same purchase, or you’re partway into a builder’s process without your own agent registered, the timing can affect your eligibility — so it’s a five-minute conversation worth having before you’re too far in. The cash back is an exclusive offer from Jason Polonski at Right at Home Realty and may not be available from other salespersons, and it’s a limited-time offer, so the cleanest path is to get the terms in writing at the very start of your search.
Start your Ottawa home search — and lock in your cashback
The best moment to lock in your cashback is right at the start, before you tour a single home, so the terms are in writing and nothing about your eligibility is left to chance. A short first conversation covers what you’re looking for, where the offer applies to your search, and exactly how much you can expect back at closing — no pressure, no obligation.
Book your buyer strategy call
Call or text Jason at (613) 601-9333, email polonskiottawa@gmail.com, or send a message through the site. He’s available seven days a week, and there’s no cost and no commitment to start — just a straight answer on your home search and your cash back.
Is a real estate cashback rebate legal in Ontario?
Yes. Commission rebates to buyers are legal in Ontario and completely above board — not a loophole, not a grey area. Real estate here is governed by the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA) and regulated by the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), and nothing in either stops a registered brokerage from sharing commission with a client who is a party to the deal.
A few conditions keep a rebate legitimate, and Jason follows every one. It’s paid through his registered brokerage, Right at Home Realty, not informally. It’s disclosed and documented in writing in your representation agreement before any offer is made. And it goes to you, the buyer — never to an unregistered third party. If anything, buyer rebates are exactly the kind of price competition Canadian regulators want to see; the Competition Bureau of Canada has long pushed for more choice and pricing flexibility in real estate. Want to check any agent’s standing before you sign? You can verify their registration directly through RECO.
Will you pay tax on your cashback?
For most Ottawa buyers, no. When you’re buying a home to live in, the Canada Revenue Agency doesn’t treat a commission rebate as income — you aren’t earning it from a business or property, so it’s closer to a windfall than a paycheque, and it isn’t something you’d report to the CRA as other income. In practice, a rebate on your principal residence quietly lowers the effective cost of your purchase.
Investment and rental purchases are a different matter — there, a rebate can affect the property’s cost base or be treated as income, and the tax treatment has been less settled since a 2020 Tax Court decision. If you’re buying a rental rather than a home to live in, run it past your accountant. Jason will explain exactly how the rebate is structured, but he isn’t a tax advisor, and your situation deserves a professional’s eye before you count on any outcome.
Disclaimer & Conditions
This cashback offer is provided by Jason Polonski, REALTOR®. It is subject to the rules and regulations of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) and the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA).
The cashback incentive of up to $3,000 is derived from a portion of the commission earned and is not guaranteed. The final cashback amount will vary based on the purchase price, location of the subject property, total commission received, referral fees, and other transaction-specific factors, and will not exceed 50% of the commission earned by the REALTOR®.
To qualify, buyers must request and confirm eligibility for the cashback offer before commencing any real estate services or working relationship with Jason Polonski. Buyers who do not claim or confirm the cashback offer in advance will not be eligible to receive it.
Cashback is available only to buyer clients who enter into a valid Buyer Representation Agreement before submitting an offer and who complete a purchase. Cashback is payable only upon successful completion of the transaction.
This offer does not apply to any transaction where commission is reduced, withheld, or not payable. Cashback has no cash value before closing, may not be combined with other offers unless explicitly stated, and may be modified or withdrawn at any time without notice. This advertisement is not intended to induce breach of an existing representation agreement.
Jason Polonski is a registered real estate salesperson and trades in real estate through his brokerage.
This commission plan is offered by the Agent/Salesperson independently from the brokerage, Right at Home Realty Brokerage.
*Right at Home Realty Brokerage (“RAHR”) does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability, direct or consequential, for the commission plan (the “Information”) or the recipient’s reliance upon the Information. RAHR encourages competitive commission rate/fee arrangements and in no way influences, mandates or sanctions any incentives or commission rates of our independent Agents/Salespersons.
CashBack Realtor Ottawa — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A licensed agent in Ontario can rebate part of their commission to a buyer, and it’s a common, legal practice. The rebate is paid through the agent’s registered brokerage and disclosed in writing, so there’s nothing informal or grey-market about it — it’s simply the brokerage sharing commission with the client in the deal.
A cashback realtor represents you as your buyer’s agent, earns the buyer-side commission the seller or builder is already paying, and returns part of it to you after the sale closes. The amount is agreed in writing before you make an offer, and with Jason Polonski, you receive it within two business days of him receiving the commission. Your representation and negotiation stay full-service — only the commission is shared.
You can receive up to $3,000 cash back on a qualifying purchase in Ottawa, Kanata, and surrounding areas. The exact figure depends on the home’s location and the buyer-side commission offered on that specific property, and it’s confirmed for you in writing before you commit.
Generally, no, if you’re buying a home to live in. The Canada Revenue Agency does not treat a commission rebate on a principal residence as taxable income — it reduces the effective cost of your purchase. Investment and rental purchases can be treated differently, so if you’re buying one of those, confirm the tax treatment with your accountant.
It shouldn’t affect approval itself, but timing matters: because the rebate is paid after closing, it usually can’t be counted toward your down payment or the closing funds your lender needs to see up front. Some lenders also ask that a rebate be disclosed, so mention it to your mortgage broker early and treat the cash back as money that arrives after you have the keys.
Yes, when the builder offers a buyer-side commission and you bring Jason as your own agent to the builder’s sales centre. Many buyers walk into a new-build sales office unrepresented and leave that commission on the table — registering your agent from the first visit is what protects both your representation and your cash back.
No. A discount or flat-fee brokerage lowers its price by reducing service. A full-service cashback realtor gives you complete representation and returns part of an existing commission on top of it — you’re not trading away negotiation, guidance, or availability to get the money back.
Within two business days of Jason receiving the commission from the listing brokerage or builder, which happens after your purchase closes. The terms are set out in your buyer representation agreement before you make an offer, so the amount and timing are known well in advance.
