Costly mistakes in listing agreements and closings, rules for non-Canadian buyers, taxes on a sale, complaints and official sources.
The most expensive mistakes in a Canadian home sale are usually made weeks before closing: a listing agreement with a long holdover clause, a first-time buyer refund nobody claimed, a new-home price that assumed a rebate the buyer does not qualify for, or a sale within a year that triggers flipping rules. This group explains how those mistakes happen and how to avoid them.
Start with the overview of common buying and selling mistakes. Sellers should read about listing agreement traps and the tax rules when you sell. Anyone who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or who sells to one, should read the guide to the foreign buyer ban and non-resident taxes and the status of the Underused Housing Tax.
If something goes wrong with a realtor, the guide to complaints and regulators by province explains who to contact. The official sources list collects the government and regulator websites where you can check every rate and rule on this site.
Mistakes, Disputes and Official Sources
Who the federal ban on non-Canadian home buyers covers, its exceptions and end date, plus Ontario's NRST, Toronto's MNRST, BC's additional transfer tax and rules for non-resident sellers.
Mistakes, Disputes and Official Sources
The buying and selling mistakes that cost Canadians the most money, from commission terms and missed first-time buyer refunds to builder rebates, flipping rules and non-resident withholding.
Mistakes, Disputes and Official Sources
The clauses in a Canadian listing agreement that most often cost sellers money, including holdover periods, exclusivity, cancellation, deposits on failed deals and admin fees.
Mistakes, Disputes and Official Sources
A province-by-province list of the government, tax and regulator websites where you can verify land transfer tax, welcome tax, GST/HST rebates, commission rules and non-resident taxes.
Mistakes, Disputes and Official Sources
Who regulates real estate agents in each province, how to file a complaint, what regulators can and cannot do about commission disputes, and when to go to court instead.
Mistakes, Disputes and Official Sources
When the sale of a Canadian home is tax-free, how to report it, the federal 12-month flipping rule and its life-event exceptions, BC's home flipping tax and non-resident withholding.
Mistakes, Disputes and Official Sources
The status of Canada's Underused Housing Tax after Budget 2025, who still has to file for 2022 to 2024, how the 1% tax worked, and what buyers and sellers should check.
