The honest summary
A Realtor will usually get you the highest possible sale price — if your house shows well, you can wait 2–4 months, and you can afford the commissions, repairs, and the risk of a financing fall-through. That's a real path, and for many Canadian homeowners it's the right one.
A cash sale through Your Time is built for a different situation: you want certainty and speed, the house isn't market-ready, or life simply isn't waiting four months. The trade-off is usually a slightly lower top-line price in exchange for no commissions, no repairs, no showings, and a guaranteed close on the date you pick.
When a cash sale wins
- You inherited a house in another city or province and don't live nearby.
- The home needs significant repairs you don't want to pay for.
- You're behind on payments and need to close before foreclosure.
- Divorce, relocation, or a new job is forcing a tight timeline.
- The property is vacant and costing you in taxes, utilities, and insurance every month.
- You've already been on the market with a Realtor and the deal fell through.
When a Realtor wins
- The home is in great condition and shows beautifully.
- You have 3–6 months and a clean schedule for showings.
- You're comfortable carrying the mortgage, taxes, and utilities while you wait.
- The local market is hot and bidding wars are realistic for your neighbourhood.
Cost example: $400,000 Canadian home
A typical Realtor sale at $400k looks roughly like this:
- Sale price: $400,000
- Commission (6%): −$24,000
- Seller closing costs (~1.5%): −$6,000
- Repairs / staging / cleaning: −$3,000 to $10,000
- 3 months of carrying costs (mortgage, utilities, taxes, insurance): −$6,000+
Net to seller: often $354,000 or less — and that assumes the first deal closes. A cash offer of around $360k–$370k with zero fees and a 14-day close can end up putting more in your pocket, faster, with less stress.
How to decide in 5 minutes
- How quickly do you need to be out — 2 weeks, 2 months, or 6 months?
- Can your home pass a buyer's home inspection today?
- Can you afford to carry the property while you wait?
- How much would showings and uncertainty cost you in time and stress?
If 2 or more of those answers point to "fast", "no", or "not really" — a cash offer is worth getting. It's free, takes a day, and gives you a real number to compare against anything else you're considering.