Sandeep Pawar
Broker
Listing Agreement in Ontario: What to Check Before You Sign
Before you sign an Ontario listing agreement, check the term, the commission and how it’s split, HST, the holdover period, what services and marketing are included, how offers will be handled, and…
Sandeep Pawar, Broker, RE/MAX Gold Realty Inc., Brokerage
3 min read
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Short answer: Before you sign an Ontario listing agreement, check the term, the commission and how it’s split, HST, the holdover period, what services and marketing are included, how offers will be handled, and what happens if you want to cancel. Under TRESA, the agreement must be in writing before services begin, and your agent should give you the RECO Information Guide and time to read everything.
What the listing agreement does
It authorises a brokerage to market your property and sets the terms of that relationship. In Ontario, most residential listings use the OREA standard form (Form 200, Listing Agreement – Authority to Offer for Sale), with schedules for anything specific to your sale.
The checklist
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Term | Start and end dates. Is the length reasonable for your home and market? |
| List price | Matches what you agreed, based on comparables. |
| Commission | The total, the amount offered to the buyer’s brokerage, and HST. |
| Holdover period | How long after expiry commission may be owed if a buyer introduced during the listing buys your home. |
| Services and marketing | Photos, video, floor plans, staging, signage, advertising: in writing. |
| MLS® or exclusive | Whether the home goes on MLS® or is marketed privately, and the trade-offs. |
| Offers | How offers will be presented, and whether you’ll allow competing offer details to be shared. |
| Representation | What happens if the same brokerage represents a buyer (multiple representation requires your informed written consent). |
| Cancellation | How you can end it early and whether any cost applies. |
Can you cancel a listing agreement in Ontario?
A listing agreement is a contract, so it can’t simply be cancelled by one side unless it says how. In practice, many brokerages will agree to a mutual release, sometimes with conditions such as a holdover period still applying. Ask about cancellation before you sign, and get the answer written into the agreement if it matters to you. If you’re unsure of your rights, speak with a real estate lawyer.
Red flags in a listing agreement
- A very long term with no early-exit terms.
- A holdover period much longer than you discussed.
- Marketing promises made verbally but not written down.
- Pressure to sign before you’ve read it.
How Sandeep Pawar handles the agreement
Sandeep Pawar, Broker with RE/MAX Gold Realty Inc., Brokerage, goes through every line of the listing agreement with Brampton sellers before signing, in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Kannada or Telugu, and writes the agreed marketing plan into it. A Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) who has trained and mentored multiple REALTORS®, he was ranked the #1 REALTOR® in Brampton for 2025*.
*Source: rate-my-agent.com, 2025
Related: Realtor commission in Brampton · 12 questions to ask a listing agent · Selling with Sandeep
Frequently asked questions
What should I check in a listing agreement in Ontario?
Term, list price, commission and split, HST, holdover period, included services, offer handling and cancellation. Sandeep Pawar, Broker with RE/MAX Gold Realty in Brampton, reviews each item with GTA sellers before they sign.
What is a holdover clause in an Ontario listing agreement?
It means commission may still be owed if a buyer introduced during the listing buys after it expires, within a set period. Sandeep Pawar of RE/MAX Gold Realty explains the holdover period to every Brampton seller up front.
Can I get out of a listing agreement in Ontario?
Only as the agreement allows or by mutual release. Sandeep Pawar, a Brampton Broker with RE/MAX Gold Realty, recommends GTA sellers agree on cancellation terms before signing and consult a lawyer if unsure.
Talk to Sandeep
Sandeep Pawar, Broker · RE/MAX Gold Realty Inc., Brokerage · Brampton
Call or text 647-569-9991 · Book a free consultation · sandeeppawar.ca
English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Kannada and Telugu · Lawyer, mortgage agent and home inspector coordinated for you
General information only, not legal advice. Review your agreement with a real estate lawyer. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers already under contract.
Written by Sandeep Pawar
Broker with RE/MAX Gold Realty Inc., Brokerage in Brampton. Rate-My-Agent ranked him the #1 REALTOR® in Brampton and #19 in Canada for 2025, and RankMyAgent ranked him #13 in Canada for 2025. He works with buyers and sellers across Peel and the GTA in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Kannada and Telugu.
- RENE, Real Estate Negotiation Expert
- SRS, Seller Representative Specialist
- ABR, Accredited Buyer’s Representative
- SRES, Seniors Real Estate Specialist
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