By Spyros Papachristou, Residential and Commercial Real Estate Broker, Royal LePage Village, Real Estate Agency · Updated October 2026

Selling your home: broker or private sale?

Some owners sell their homes privately, and it can work. But a sale involves much more than finding a buyer. Here’s what a broker brings, so you can make an informed choice.

Will my home be seen by the most buyers?

Buyers searching on Centris and Realtor.ca see listings from licensed real estate brokers. Listing with a broker puts your home where buyers and their brokers are already looking, and professional photos, descriptions and marketing are there to make it stand out.

How do I set the right price?

Pricing is where many sales succeed or fail. Price too high and your home can sit, which buyers notice. Price too low and you leave money on the table. A broker prepares a market analysis based on real, recent sales of comparable homes, not on asking prices or online estimates.

Who checks that a buyer can really buy?

Anyone can make an offer. A broker helps assess a buyer’s offer and conditions, including financing, inspection and the sale of the buyer’s own home. That way you don’t take your home off the market for someone who can’t close.

Why does it help to have someone negotiate for me?

Selling a home is emotional, and negotiating face to face with a buyer can be hard. A broker negotiates on your behalf: price, conditions, deadlines, inclusions and the response to inspection findings. That gives you room to think before you answer.

What about the paperwork?

A Quebec sale involves a promise to purchase, counter-proposals, deadlines for conditions, and coordination with the notary. A broker also makes sure key documents are ready early, such as an up-to-date certificate of location. An outdated certificate can delay closing. Missing a deadline or writing an unclear clause can put a sale at risk.

Does working with a broker protect me?

Yes, in several ways:

• Disclosure. When you sell with a broker, you complete the seller’s declaration, a structured form for disclosing what you know about the home. Accurate disclosure helps protect you from disputes after the sale.
• Professional insurance. Every Quebec broker must carry professional liability insurance.
• Deposits in trust. Deposits handled by a broker are held in a trust account.
• Regulation. Brokers are supervised by the OACIQ, which offers recourse to the public, including an indemnity fund in certain cases.

What about my time and safety?

A broker handles calls, qualifies visitors, schedules showings and accompanies buyers through your home. You don’t have to open your door to strangers alone or take calls at all hours.

Can one broker represent both the buyer and the seller?

Not anymore. Since 2022, a Quebec broker can’t represent both parties in the same transaction. Your broker represents only you and must act in your best interest.

An owner who has sat on your side of the table

I’ve bought and sold property as an owner for more than 20 years, so I know what’s at stake when it’s your investment on the line. My focus is clear pricing based on real data, honest advice on what’s worth fixing before you sell, and personal involvement from listing to the notary’s signature.

Curious what your home could sell for?