What Happens After You List Your Home in Ottawa

You did it. You’ve made the big decision to sell your home, signed the listing paperwork, and the “For Sale” sign is up. It’s exciting, maybe a little nerve-wracking, and you might be wondering what happens next.

Many sellers think the hard part is over once the listing goes live, but the real work is just beginning. Let’s look at what you can expect after your home officially hits the market.

When Your Home Goes Live

The moment your home is entered into the MLS system, it becomes visible to thousands of buyers and real estate agents across the city and beyond. It also appears on Realtor.ca, Royal LePage, and JeanRicher.com, plus several other real estate websites.

At the same time, I start promoting your home everywhere buyers are looking: social media, targeted ads, and email campaigns to qualified buyers already searching in your area. The goal is simple. Get your home in front of as many motivated buyers as possible during those first few critical days.

The first week is often when your home attracts the most attention, so keep it clean, bright, and ready for showings.

The Showing Stage

This is where buyers walk through and imagine your home as their own. A great first impression matters. Before each showing, make sure to:

• Open blinds and turn on lights

• Keep counters clear

• Make beds and tidy bathrooms

• Remove personal items and valuables

• Take pets out if possible

We may also plan an open house to help reach more potential buyers. These events often lead to more private showings and sometimes to offers the next day.

Pro tip: Before leaving for a showing, take one last look around. Does it smell fresh? Are the lights on? Small details can make buyers feel comfortable and connected.

Market Feedback and Strategy

As showings happen, I will reach out to agents for feedback. This helps us understand how buyers are responding to your home, if the price feels right, or if there is anything we can improve.

Sometimes all it takes is a quick adjustment to lighting, photos, or staging. I will also share how your listing is performing online so we can stay ahead of the competition in Ottawa’s fast-moving market.

Offers and Negotiations

When the offers start coming in, things get exciting. We review each one together, looking carefully at price, deposit, conditions, and closing dates.

If more than one offer arrives, we will compare them side by side. Sometimes the highest price is not the best option. A firm offer with no conditions may provide more certainty and peace of mind.

My job is to help you understand every detail and guide you toward a deal that fits your needs and timeline.

From Conditional to Sold

Once an offer is accepted, the buyer completes financing and inspection. During this period, I handle communication and make sure everything stays on track.

When all conditions are met, the sale becomes firm, and we can celebrate. Your home is officially sold.

We will update your listing, notify your lawyer, and begin preparing for closing. Before the big day, be sure to arrange utilities, mail forwarding, and leave keys and manuals for the new owners.

Wrapping It Up

Selling your home is a big moment. It is emotional, exciting, and sometimes stressful, but when you know what to expect, it becomes much easier to manage.

As your Realtor, I make sure every stage of the process is organized and stress-free. From that first photo shoot to the final key handover, I guide you each step of the way.

If you are thinking about selling your home in Ottawa, let’s start preparing early. The more time we have, the stronger your results will be.