The Short Answer
There are five realistic ways to sell a Markham home quickly: list on MLS priced to the market, list as-is, sell to a cash buyer or investor, sell privately, or list normally but offer a short, flexible closing. They trade speed against price and certainty in different ways. A well-priced MLS listing usually gives the best balance, because Markham homes have recently sold in about a month at roughly 97 to 98% of list price. A cash buyer can close in days, but one Ontario cash-buyer firm describes typical offers at 50% to 70% of market value. Before you choose, decide what "fast" means to you: a firm deal in two weeks, or money in your account in two weeks. Those are different goals.
Want this applied to your own property? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
First, Define "Fast"
Most sellers who say they need to sell fast mean one of three things:
- A firm sale quickly, so they can buy their next home or stop worrying.
- A closing date soon, because they need the money by a certain day.
- A short, simple process, because they cannot face months of showings.
Each one points to a different option. A firm sale in two weeks is very achievable in Markham. Cash in hand in two weeks is possible, but it usually costs you.
Michael John Lau, a REALTORĀ® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region, starts every urgent sale with the date that matters, not the list price. Once the real deadline is clear, the right option usually becomes obvious.
Questions About Your Situation?
Every Markham property and every timeline is different. Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885 and speak to a REALTORĀ® who works this market daily.
Where the Market Is Right Now
Across the Greater Toronto Area, TRREB reported 5,057 sales in August 2026, with an average of 35 days on market and homes selling at about 97% of list price. Detached homes averaged 33 days and condo apartments 51 days. HouseSigma data reported by REMI found about 70% of Markham sales in August closed below asking, which was still one of the more competitive results in the region.
The practical meaning: buyers are taking their time and negotiating. A home priced above what recent sales support will sit. A home priced at the market, and presented well, still sells.
The Five Options Compared
Option | Typical speed to a firm deal | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
MLS listing priced to the market | A few weeks | Market value | Most sellers |
MLS listing, sold as-is | A few weeks, sometimes longer | Market value less the cost of the work a buyer sees | Homes needing major repairs, estates |
Cash buyer or investor | Days | Well below market; one Ontario firm cites 50% to 70% | Sellers who need certainty more than price |
Private sale | Varies widely | Depends on your pricing and negotiating | Sellers with a buyer already lined up |
MLS listing with a short closing | A few weeks | Market value; some buyers cannot close that fast | Sellers who need money by a specific date |
1. List on MLS, priced to the market
This puts your home in front of every active buyer and every agent at once. Under CREA's cooperation rule for REALTORSĀ®, a home that is publicly marketed must go on MLS within three days unless the seller signs a written opt-out. The speed comes from pricing at what recent comparable sales support, preparing the home before photos, and keeping showings open. For most Markham sellers, this is both the fastest and the most valuable route.
2. List as-is
Selling without repairs saves you time before listing. Buyers will price in what they see, and some will add an inspection condition. Selling a house as-is in Markham explains when it makes sense.
3. Sell to a cash buyer or investor
Companies that buy houses for cash can close in about a week. The trade-off is price. One Ontario cash-buyer firm describes its typical offers as 50% to 70% of fair market value. No independent Canadian data on these discounts exists. There is also no large "instant buyer" company operating in Canada: Properly, the best-known attempt, dropped its purchase guarantee in January 2023.
If you go this route, have a real estate lawyer review the agreement, confirm who the buyer is, and get an independent market evaluation first so you know what you are giving up.
4. Sell privately
If a neighbour, tenant or family member already wants the home, a private sale can be quick. Without a buyer in place, a private listing reaches fewer people. Selling without a REALTORĀ® in Markham covers the risks.
5. Offer a short, flexible closing
Ontario closings typically run 30 to 90 days, with about 60 common. A 30-day closing is tight but doable when your lawyer, mortgage payout and any condo status certificate are lined up early. A status certificate must be delivered within 10 days of a request and costs no more than $100. Offering flexibility on the closing date can also make your home more attractive to buyers who need to move quickly.
Neeraj Moolchandani on the Question to Ask Before Any Cash Offer
Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTORĀ® at Kaizen Real Estate, asks every seller considering a cash offer one question: what is the home worth on the open market?
Without that number, a seller cannot see the size of the discount. Neeraj suggests getting an independent evaluation first, then deciding whether the speed of a cash sale is worth the difference.
What Slows a Sale Down
- Pricing above the evidence. The first two weeks bring the most attention. A price cut later rarely recovers that.
- Limited showings. Every restricted time slot removes buyers.
- Surprises after an offer. Unpermitted work, an old oil tank or a rental water heater no one mentioned can stall a deal.
- A weak offer you accept too quickly. A long condition period or a small deposit can tie up your home for weeks. The buyer red flags to watch for covers this in detail.
Need to Sell on a Deadline?
Fast and well-priced are not opposites. The Kaizen Real Estate Team compares every route against your real deadline.
The Costs of Each Option
Every route has a cost: commission on an MLS sale, a discount on a cash sale, or your own time and risk on a private sale. Commission is fully negotiable. What it costs to sell a house in Markham lists every item, and how fast you can sell a house in Markham covers timelines by season.
If you want a step-by-step schedule for a fast MLS sale, the 30-day plan lays it out day by day.
Next Steps
- Request a free home evaluation ā know your market value before you compare any offer.
- Selling your Markham home ā how Michael plans a sale around your deadline.
- Book a quick call ā talk through your timeline and options.