If you’re looking to sell your Toronto home and do not reside in Canada, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
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Hiring a REALTOR From Afar
If you don’t live in Toronto, the REALTOR you choose to work with will largely be responsible for the success or failure of your home sale. When hiring your real estate agent, look for one who has experience servicing non-resident Sellers. In particular, keep in mind:
- Communication – Make sure to choose an agent who will communicate with you on your schedule or time zone and in your preferred communication method (e.g. email, Skype, text, Whatsapp, etc.).
- Local Market Knowledge – The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) covers many neighbourhoods and cities, each with its own real estate market intricacies. Local market knowledge is critical to selling your property for top dollar. A real estate agent who works primarily in Mississauga or Ajax for example likely isn’t the best candidate to sell your downtown Toronto condo and vice versa. We have a network of preferred REALTORS across the GTA and Ontario to assist our non-resident clients with selling their properties.
- What Services They Offer – As a non-resident, you’ll be relying on your REALTOR’s expertise and network of contacts to prepare and stage your property. Make sure you know what services are available and included in the commission.
- Use of Technology – Video, Skype, electronic signatures and digital document sharing are some of the tools that we use to facilitate property sales with non-residents of Canada. Technology can greatly simplify the sales process.
To sell your Toronto property, you’ll also need a real estate lawyer. Most agents can recommend a good lawyer – one who is experienced with non-resident sales will make the process much more efficient.
Related: Selling with the BREL team
Related: The Ultimate Home Selling Guide
Selling Costs and Taxes – For Non-Residents
We put together a comprehensive list of the expenses you should be prepared to pay to sell your Toronto property. You can access that list here.
In addition, as a non-resident, there will be tax implications to consider.
According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you are considered a non-resident of Canada if you:
- Normally, customarily, or routinely live in another country and are not considered a resident of Canada; or
- Do not have significant residential ties in Canada; and
- you live outside Canada throughout the tax year; or
- you stay in Canada for less than 183 days in the tax year.
Note: there are a few other exceptions listed on the CRA website.
As a non-resident, it’s important that you speak to an accountant about how your Canadian real estate will be taxed. The following serves as a guideline only.
In most cases, non-residents are subject to tax on any income or gains resulting from the sale of a taxable Canadian property, including residential homes, condos, vacation properties or land. When a non-Canadian resident sells a property, the Buyer of the property must withhold and remit a portion of the purchase price to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Generally, this amount is 25% of the gross selling price.
Alternatively, a Certificate of Compliance related to the sale of the property can be filed and approved by the CRA to reduce or eliminate the withholding taxes. Upon the filing of this Certificate of Compliance, the 25% withholding tax required is calculated on the gross sales proceeds net of the purchase cost of the property (or in other words, the net profit).
Also, non-residents are required to file a Canadian tax return by April 30 following the year they sold their property. Generally, upon filing a tax return, part of the withholding tax is refunded to the Seller as the 25% withholding tax is usually a lot higher than the actual taxes owing. At this point, you can also claim expenses like legal fees and commissions against the income from the sale.
Related: All About Taxes
The Selling Process as a Non-Resident of Canada
The home selling process as a non-resident is relatively the same as it is for a Canadian resident – other than you aren’t physically here. When we work with non-residents, we take care of everything – from communicating with the tenants to organize staging (for vacant homes) to coordinating any home prep required, photography and of course, all the marketing.
Related: Selling an Investment Property
Related: Selling a Tenanted Property
Related: How to Sell a House
Related: How to Sell a Condo
If you aren’t a resident of Canada and are looking to sell your Greater Toronto home, get in touch. We can help.
Required Reading
To read more about selling your Toronto property, see one of our other Seller Guides:
