Where Can I Advertise A House For Sale In Canada?

If you're selling a house in Canada, there are several places you can advertise it, including MLS®, property advertising platforms, real estate websites, social media and other digital marketing channels.

The right mix depends on how the property is being sold, who you're trying to reach and how much exposure you want to create.

Is MLS® The Only Place To Advertise A House For Sale?

No. MLS® is one of the most widely used ways to market homes for sale in Canada, but it isn't the only place a property can be advertised.

Homes may also be promoted through brokerage and agent websites, property advertising platforms, social media, email marketing, digital advertising and other online channels.

For sellers working with a REALTOR®, these additional channels can complement the exposure already being created through MLS®.

For homeowners selling privately, the available advertising options may differ depending on the services and platforms they choose to use.

Can I Advertise My Home In More Than One Place?

Yes. A property can be marketed through multiple channels at the same time, subject to any applicable listing agreements, advertising requirements and platform rules.

This is where the difference between listing a property and marketing a property becomes important.

Listing makes a property available to the market.

Marketing helps create opportunities for people to discover it.

A home doesn't necessarily need to be advertised everywhere, but sellers aren't limited to thinking about property exposure through a single channel.

Where Else Can A House Be Advertised Online?

There are many ways to create additional online exposure for a property.

Depending on the marketing strategy, these can include:

• Property advertising and discovery platforms

• Brokerage and real estate agent websites

• Social media

• Email marketing

• Digital advertising

• Real estate websites and other property-focused channels

Each can reach people in a different way.

Someone actively searching for a home may discover a property through a real estate website. Someone else might first encounter that same property while browsing social media or following a link shared by a friend.

Buyers don't all discover properties in exactly the same place or in exactly the same way.

Can I Advertise A House That's Already Listed On MLS®?

In many cases, yes.

An MLS® listing can be part of a broader property marketing strategy that also includes other forms of advertising and promotion.

Real estate agents may already use social media, websites, email campaigns, photography, video, print materials or digital advertising to promote their listings.

An additional property advertising platform can simply be another marketing channel.

Sellers working with a real estate professional should discuss additional advertising with their agent and make sure it is consistent with their listing agreement and any applicable requirements.

What About A House That Isn't Listed On MLS®?

A property that isn't listed on MLS® can still be advertised through other channels, subject to applicable laws, regulations and platform requirements.

This may include privately sold homes as well as other properties being marketed outside MLS®.

For these properties, choosing where to advertise can be particularly important because buyers searching only through MLS®-based channels may never encounter them.

Other forms of property advertising can create additional ways for those homes to be discovered.

Does Advertising A Property In More Places Mean It Will Sell?

No.

Additional advertising does not guarantee buyers, showings, offers, a faster sale or a sale at all.

Buyer interest can be influenced by many things, including price, location, property type, condition, presentation, competition, market conditions and the needs of individual buyers.

Advertising can't control those factors.

What additional advertising can do is create another opportunity for a property to be seen. Marketing creates exposure. Exposure creates discovery. Discovery creates opportunity.

How Do I Decide Where To Advertise My House?

Think about the property itself, how it is already being marketed and where potential buyers might discover a home like yours.

A luxury property may require a different approach than a starter home. A rural acreage may need to reach a different audience than a downtown condo. A property that has been sitting on the market may benefit from a fresh marketing approach compared with one being launched for the first time.

There isn't one advertising strategy that makes sense for every property.

The goal is to create appropriate opportunities for the property to be discovered by people who may be interested in it.

PMB Takeaway

There isn't just one place to advertise a house for sale in Canada.

MLS® can play an important role in a property's marketing, while property advertising platforms, social media, real estate websites and other digital channels can provide additional exposure.

The question isn't necessarily which one should I choose?

It may be:

Where else could the right buyer discover this property?

Additional exposure can't guarantee what happens next.

But a buyer can't become interested in a property they never discover.

Join The Conversation

Have another perspective or experience to share? Whether you're a buyer, seller, agent, builder or other real estate professional, we'd love to hear it.

Comments are reviewed before publication to help keep discussions respectful, constructive and helpful for everyone.

About PropertyMarketBase (PMB)

Property MarketBase (PMB) is a Canadian property marketing platform that provides additional exposure and discovery opportunities for sellers, agents, builders and buyers.

Looking for additional exposure for your property? Explore Property MarketBase and discover another opportunity for buyers to find your listing.

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, tax, appraisal, inspection, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and seek professional advice where appropriate.