General Frequently asked questions

Using our Website (Sellers)

How do I add a listing?

We highly recommend getting started with the Seller Info page to learn how to list with us.

How do I edit my listing?
  • 1. Please log in to your account by using the login page.
  • 2. You will automatically be taken to your Account Menu.
  • 3. You will then be presented with several buttons offering various categories of changes you can make.
My Google Map pointer is incorrect. How do I fix it?

By default, the Google Map pointer is positioned according to the street address used in your listing. We have a map editor that allows you to drag the marker position yourself to the exact position it should be in, in case of any inaccuracies. Here's how to change it:

  • 1. Please log in to your account by using the login page.
  • 2. You will automatically be taken to your Account Menu.
  • 3. Click on the "Map Location" link
  • 4. A new page will open of the existing map with "drag and drop" functionality.
  • 5. Follow the instructions on that page to change the marker position.
My listing belongs to more than 1 property type, can I specify more than 1?

Absolutely - in addition to your main property type, you can select up to 4 additional property types in the field called "Additional Property Types" when adding or editing your listing. Not only will your listing show up in search results for the main property type you selected, but you will equally show up in search results for the additional categories. This is very handy when there are crossovers between property types; for instance, a large empty lot may also be considered an acreage as well as land for sale.

I want my property for sale to also be listed for rent. How do I do this?

After choosing your primary ad type, which is usually "For Sale", there is a section under the price field called "Other Pricing Options" when editing or adding your listing. You can specify pricing for any other combination of ad types, such as for rent, rent-to-own, and for lease. If any prices are specified, they will show up on your listing page in a box called "Other Pricing Options".

Another benefit to having more than 1 pricing option is that your listing will be tailored to the searcher's criteria if they specify an ad type. For example, if someone is searching for rental homes in Toronto, and you've added a rental price in your "Other Pricing Options", your listing will show up as a rental property in the search result. Once they click on your listing, they will then see your sale price along with the rental price.

Can I add a video or virtual tour to my listing page?

Yes - both video & virtual tour links can be added to your listing, with a clickable button for each that shows up on your listing page.

If you have a video or virtual tour of your property on another website, you can paste in the direct URL when adding or editing your listing. This is a great way to get buyers more interested in your property, and also shows up as an additional icon on the list view search results page.

I added a video but it doesn't work when I try to open it. What's wrong?
  • 1. Make sure the direct URL to your video is correct. Did you copy and paste it properly?
  • 2. Make sure your video is public to allow sharing and embedding
  • 3. If your video is from YouTube, you need to enable embedding in your YouTube video settings. To do this, log in to YouTube and go to your Video Manager. Edit your video and click on the "Advanced Settings" tab. Check off the checkbox next to "Enable Embedding".
  • 4. If you haven't already done so, try uploading to YouTube instead of other video sites, since it is widely supported.
  • 5. If your video still won't play, please contact us for help.
How does the open house schedule work?

When you add a new listing or edit an existing one, you will see a form to edit the hours and dates of your open house. For the hours, it gives you every day of the week, so you simply select a start and end time by clicking into each field, only for the days that you plan on having the open house on. For the date range, you select a start date and end date. This date range allows you to show the open house details for as long as you plan on having it, whether it's for 1 weekend or for multiple weeks.

Once you add your information, a bright blue "OPEN HOUSE" banner will appear over your listing's thumbnail in search results, as long as your start date is 1 week away or sooner. On your actual listing page, the open house schedule is displayed immediately below your photos.

Your open house schedule will be deleted automatically on the night of your end date, so you can "set it and forget it"!

When will my listing expire?

Our current listing packages offer no time limit, so there's no expiry date. However, MLS® System listings technically require an expiry date, but with your authorization, we will continue to renew it until it sells or you cancel, at no extra charge.

How do I delete my listing or mark it as "Sold"?
  • 1. Please log in to your account by using the login page.
  • 2. You will automatically be taken to your Account Menu.
  • 3. Look for a button that says "FSBO LISTING STATUS"
  • 4. Click on the "Change Here" link to access the status form.
  • 5. Use the form to update your status, and remember to hit the "Save" button when you're done.
Why is my listing description displaying oddly (or not at all) after I copy and paste it in?

You can test that the editor works by manually typing in to it. However, display problems with the text box can be caused from copying the text from elsewhere and then pasting it in, because it retains hidden HTML formatting from the other source. In some cases, the copied formatting can cause your text to display abnormally or not at all. There are a few solutions to fix this:

(Option A) Remove the formatting.

Select all your text and then press the "Remove Format" button in the toolbar (it's an underlined "T" icon with a small "x")

(Option B) Paste as plain text.

Clear your description box, copy your text from the external source, then press the "Paste as plain text" button in the toolbar (it's a clipboard icon with a "T")

(Option C) Paste from Word.

Clear your description box, copy your text from Microsoft Word (if applicable), then press the "Paste from word" button in the toolbar (it's a clipboard icon with a "W")

Additional formatting, if needed, can then be done within the editor itself.

Using our Website (Buyers)

Do I need to sign up in order to search for properties?

Not at all. Anyone can search properties on our website whether they have an account with us or not.

Do I need to sign up in order to email sellers about their listings?

No - you can go right ahead and email sellers without needing to sign up or log in first.

What are the benefits of signing up for an account as a buyer?

Even though you can search for properties and email sellers without an account, signing up is very handy if you wish to mark certain listings as your "Favorites". You can then review your favorite listings in one area of your account instead of trying to find the listings again that caught your attention.

You can also save your search criteria in order to receive email notifications when new or updated listings match your criteria. This can be done on the Search Properties page.

For Sale by Owner Real Estate General Questions

Do you have any tips when dealing with real estate agents?

Yes - please see our Dealing With Buyer's Agents page for more information

Do I need a lawyer to buy or sell a property?

Yes - you need a lawyer in order to complete any kind of property transaction, whether you are the buyer or the seller. Please refer to our Seller's Guide - Steps for a Successful Sale for more information.

Do you have legal forms available for download?

Yes - we have sale/purchase contracts available for download in PDF format. If you're an active seller with us, go to your Account Menu, then find the "Sales Contracts" button.

Do you have any tips or advice on selling a property privately?

Yes - please refer to our Seller's Guide - Steps for a Successful Sale for helpful tips.

About our Services

How many listings can I post?

As many as you like! There are no limits, as long as each listing is for a different property. Duplicate listings will be deleted by an administrator.

How many photos can I upload to my listing?

You can upload up to 60 photos.

Do you offer MLS® System postings on REALTOR.ca?

Yes, in the following provinces at this time: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

Please browse through our topic selector at the top of this page, and/or visit our Pricing page for full details about our MLS® System services.

Do you provide "For Sale" lawn signs?

You bet! Please visit our Lawn Signs page for photos and details.

Are sellers bound by terms and conditions once they add a listing?

For FSBO-Only listings, no. However, at our discretion, we may delete listings and/or accounts that seem spammy or abuse fairness. You are also welcome and encouraged to list your property on other real estate or classified websites to get as much exposure as possible, so you are not restricted to only listing with us.

For MLS® System postings, there are some rules that must be followed, such as reporting the sale of the property. More information can be found on our REALTOR.ca® FAQs page.

Are you associated with other For Sale By Owner companies?

No. We only operate the forsalebyowner.ca and fsbo.ca websites, along with our network of brokerages at easylistrealty.ca and Stratten Gates.

We are not associated with any other FSBO company. We are 100% Canadian owned and operated.

Advertising with us

What advertising options do you have?

Become a Featured Service! Add your business that helps home buyers and sellers with various stages of the process.

Questions? Call Us at:

1-888-323-1998 ext. 101

SAVINGS CALCULATOR

With FSBO, you ALWAYS SAVE AT LEAST HALF of the commission you would normally pay a full service agent.

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Savings Calculator

See what you can save when you sell through us.

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See what you can save when you sell through us.

SELLING PRICE & LOCATION

No Buyer Agent Involved

One Buyer Agent Involved

(Calculations are based on 6% on the first $100,000 and 3% on the balance)

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