How to Sell a House in Ottawa, ON: The Step-by-Step Process

How Long Does It Take to Sell a House in Ottawa?

Plan for about two to three months from your first meeting with a broker to closing day. Preparation usually takes two to six weeks. The listing period varies with price, condition and demand. After you accept an offer, closing commonly happens 30 to 90 days later, depending on what you and the buyer agree to.

Step 1: Meet a Listing Broker and Set Your Price

Start with a conversation. A good broker walks through your home, reviews recent sales in your neighbourhood and explains how today’s active listings compare. Together you agree on a price range and a plan. Pricing is the most important decision in the process, because the first two weeks on the market bring the most attention.

Step 2: Prepare Your Home

Declutter, complete small repairs, deep clean and refresh paint where needed. Neutral, bright rooms photograph better and feel larger in person. Gather your documents, such as warranties, renovation records, permits and your survey. If you own a condo, ask the condo corporation for the documents buyers will request.

Step 3: List With Professional Marketing

Strong marketing includes professional photography, a floor plan, well-written listing copy and exposure on the MLS® system and online. Your broker sets a launch date so that your listing appears with its best photos and a clear plan for showings.

Step 4: Host Showings and Open Houses

Buyers visit by appointment and, in some cases, at an open house. Keep the home clean, bright and comfortable, and leave during visits. Your broker collects feedback so you can see how buyers are responding and adjust if needed.

Step 5: Review Offers

Offers arrive on the dates you set, or as buyers choose to submit them. Your broker explains each one, including the price, deposit, conditions, closing date and inclusions. The highest price is not always the best offer. Clean terms, a strong deposit and a flexible closing date can matter as much as the number.

Step 6: Negotiate and Accept

You can accept, decline or counter any offer. Negotiation often covers price, closing date, repairs and what stays with the home. Once you and the buyer sign, you have a binding Agreement of Purchase and Sale.

Step 7: Satisfy the Conditions

Most offers include conditions, such as financing or a home inspection. The buyer has a set time to complete them. Respond quickly to inspection questions, and keep your home in the same condition as when it was shown.

Step 8: Close With Your Lawyer

Your lawyer prepares the closing documents, pays out your mortgage, adjusts property tax and utilities and transfers the title. On closing day, you hand over the keys. Your broker stays with you through the final walkthrough and any last questions.

Common Mistakes Ottawa Sellers Make

• Pricing too high and letting the listing go stale
• Skipping professional photos
• Starting large renovations without advice
• Hiding known issues from buyers
• Accepting an offer without understanding its conditions

Sell With a Broker Who Guides Every Step

Murtaza Siddiqui is a top-rated RE/MAX real estate broker with Ottawa experience since 2015, the 2026 Top 1% RE/MAX REALTOR® Canada-wide designation, the 2025 RE/MAX Hall of Fame, the 2025 RE/MAX Chairman’s Award and the RE/MAX Platinum Award every year from 2021 to 2025. He guides Ottawa sellers through each step, from Kanata and Barrhaven to Orléans and Central Ottawa. Browse similar homes on the Ottawa home search to see how your home compares.