Realtor.ca: Listings Platform, Not Home Seller — Toronto & Beyond

Realtor.ca does not sell homes. It is Canada's national real estate listing platform — operated by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) — displaying MLS® listings from member boards across the country.

What It Does

• Aggregates listings from ~100+ real estate boards (TRREB for Toronto/GTA, FVREB for Fraser Valley, etc.)
• Standardizes data: Photos, specs, mapping, walk scores, school catchments, mortgage calculator
• Connects buyers to agents: "Contact Agent" button → listing agent/buyer's agent
• Free for consumers; funded by REALTOR® dues

What It Doesn't Do

• Own or sell property — not a brokerage
• Negotiate, contract, close — requires licensed agent
• Guarantee accuracy — data from listing agents; "buyer beware" applies
• Replace due diligence — inspections, title search, lawyer/notary

Buying in Toronto

1. Search Realtor.ca (filter: Toronto, price, type, beds, transit)
2. Get mortgage pre-approval
3. Hire buyer's agent (TRREB member) — represents YOU, paid by seller typically
4. View, offer, negotiate, conditions (financing, inspection, status certificate)
5. Close with real estate lawyer (Ontario requirement)

Alternatives

• Housesigma, Zolo, Redfin (limited CA), Zoocasa, Point2Homes — scrape/license MLS data
• Builder direct (new construction)
• Private sale (rare, risky without agent)

Realtor.ca = search engine. Agent = navigator. Lawyer = closer.