Selling a home in Ottawa involves dozens of individual tasks spread across several stages, and it’s easy to lose track of what needs to happen when. This checklist breaks the entire process into concrete, actionable steps, organized in order from the first pre-listing decision through closing day.
Unlike a general advice article, this page is meant to be used as a working reference — print it, save it, and check items off as they’re completed. For the reasoning and strategy behind each stage, see home sellers tips for Ottawa.
Jason Polonski walks every seller through this exact sequence, adjusted for the specific home and timeline. To get started, call or text Jason at (613) 601-9333 or request a free home evaluation.
Before you list: decisions that shape everything
These decisions come first because they affect nearly every choice that follows. Current Ottawa Real Estate Board and Canadian Real Estate Association statistics are worth a look before any of them are finalized, since local conditions shape what a realistic timeline and price actually look like.
- Confirm the motivation and timeline for selling — it shapes pricing strategy, preparation scope, and marketing.
- Get a proper valuation from a REALTOR® — see what my home is worth in Ottawa, not an automated online estimate; the Appraisal Institute of Canada explains why trained judgment consistently outperforms an algorithm-generated number.
- Understand the full cost of selling and estimate realistic net proceeds — see cost of selling a home in Ottawa; the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada explains how mortgage discharge costs are typically calculated, which often factors into net proceeds.s
- Decide on an agent and review the listing agreement carefully — see listing agreement Ontario; the Real Estate Council of Ontario regulates the professional conduct of any licensed agent involved.
- Confirm whether the sale needs to coordinate with a next purchase
Estimate your commission and net proceeds with the Ontario realtor commission calculator.
Preparing the home for sale
Preparation is where a seller has the most control over the outcome, so it’s worth doing thoroughly rather than rushing. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation publishes homeowner guidance on maintenance and moisture issues that often surface at this stage and are worth addressing before a home goes to market.
- Address curb appeal first — see how to maximize curb appeal
- Complete known repairs, especially anything that could affect disclosure — see what to disclose when selling a home in Ottawa
- Decide which upgrades are actually worth making — see best return on renovations
- Declutter, deep clean, and depersonalize every room
- Stage the home — see how to stage a home for the full process, or tips for staging on a budget
- Book professional photography — see how to prepare for real estate photos
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Pricing and listing strategy
Getting the price and the listing terms right at this stage sets up everything that follows.
- Review the comparative market analysis and finalize a list price
- Confirm the listing agreement’s term length, commission, and holdover terms in writing
- Set expectations for showings, marketing channels, and how offers will be presented
- Confirm the marketing plan includes full MLS® and REALTOR.ca exposure
Showings and buyer activity
A smooth showing period depends on a few simple habits repeated consistently.
- Keep the home in show-ready condition throughout the listing period
- Stay as flexible as possible with showing requests, especially in the first few weeks
- Leave the property during showings whenever possible
- Track and review buyer feedback after each showing
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Can you get cash back when buying a home in Ottawa? Yes. Jason Polonski, a Chairman's Club REALTOR® serving Ottawa and Kanata, shares part of his commission with buyers — up to $3,000 cash back at closing.* You still get full-service, award-winning representation: expert pricing, sharp negotiation, and hands-on guidance from first showing to keys in hand. No cut corners and no rebate-only shortcuts — just real money back in your pocket when you buy your Ottawa or Kanata home.
Reviewing and negotiating offers
Every offer deserves a full evaluation, not just a glance at the price.
- Review price, deposit, conditions, and closing date together — see whether you should accept the first offer.
- Confirm the buyer’s financing status and pre-approval strength — the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada explains what a pre-approval actually confirms.s
- Understand any conditions attached and how long they run
- Negotiate on the full terms, not price alone
After an accepted offer
The period between an accepted offer and closing still requires attention and follow-through.
- Track the condition period and respond promptly to any requests
- Avoid making commitments — like booking movers on a fixed date — until the deal is firm
- Provide any documentation the buyer’s lender or inspector requests promptly
- Continue routine maintenance; the home must remain in the condition it was shown
Closing day preparation
The final stretch is mostly paperwork and logistics, and staying organized here avoids last-minute stress.
- Confirm a real estate lawyer is engaged and has everything needed to close — the Law Society of Ontario can help find one if one isn’t already in place
- Sign transfer and closing documents as directed by the lawyer
- Confirm all agreed chattels remain in the home
- Book movers early, and consider a mid-week closing for scheduling flexibility
- Complete a final walkthrough if applicable
Home sellers checklist at a glance
| Stage | Focus |
|---|---|
| Before listing | Valuation, costs, timeline, agent selection |
| Preparation | Curb appeal, repairs, staging, photography |
| Pricing & listing | CMA, listing agreement, marketing plan |
| Showings | Flexibility, show-ready condition, feedback |
| Offers | Full-terms evaluation, financing, conditions |
| After accepted offer | Condition period, documentation, no risky commitments |
| Closing | Lawyer coordination, signing, chattels, movers |
A checklist is a starting point, not a substitute for a plan
This checklist covers the tasks that apply to most Ottawa home sales, but every home and situation has its own wrinkles.
Jason Polonski walks sellers through a version of this checklist customized to their specific home, timeline, and goals from the very first conversation. With 15+ years selling homes across Ottawa and the west end and recognition on the Best in Ottawa Top REALTOR® list seven years running, Jason makes sure nothing falls through the cracks.
His results and client reviews are on his Google Business Profile. To get a personalized version of this checklist, call or text Jason at (613) 601-9333, request a free home evaluation, or explore the full guide to selling your house in Ottawa.
Home Sellers Checklist (FAQs)
Ideally, several weeks to a couple of months before listing, which allows time for a proper valuation, any worthwhile repairs, and thorough staging without rushing. More time is better if painting or larger cosmetic work is needed.
Skipping a proper valuation and pricing from a hopeful number instead is one of the most common oversights, and it has an outsized effect on how the rest of the sale unfolds. Reviewing the full cost of selling early is a close second, since it’s easy to underestimate.
A real estate lawyer’s involvement is generally concentrated around reviewing the agreement and managing closing, but it’s worth confirming disclosure obligations and any unusual contract terms with a lawyer earlier in the process if there’s any uncertainty.
The buyer may renegotiate the price, request specific repairs, or, in some cases, withdraw from the deal, depending on what the inspection uncovers and the terms of the offer. This is a normal part of many transactions and isn’t necessarily a sign the deal is falling apart.
Yes. This page is a literal, task-by-task checklist meant to be worked through in order, while home sellers tips for Ottawa explains the reasoning and strategy behind each stage in more depth.
Much of it still applies, though a private seller takes on tasks a REALTOR® would otherwise manage directly. Risks of selling your home privately covers what that trade-off actually looks like.
