- Private sales are legal in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- No land transfer tax in any territory; buyers pay registration fees.
- A real estate lawyer closes the sale and transfers title.
- Typical commission saved on a $500,000 home: $25,000.
Is it legal to sell your own home in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut?
Yes. Nothing in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut requires you to use a real estate agent. You can price, advertise and show your own home, negotiate directly with buyers and close through a lawyer. Agents are optional; the legal transfer of title is not, so line up a real estate lawyer before you list.
Is there a land transfer tax in the territories?
No. The territories charge registration fees instead, normally paid by the buyer:
- Yukon: flat transfer fees by price band (for example $350 for homes from $500,000 to $2,999,999), plus a mortgage fee.
- Northwest Territories: $2 per $1,000 of value up to $1,000,000 (minimum $100), plus $1.50 per $1,000 on the mortgage.
- Nunavut: $1.50 per $1,000 of value up to $1,000,000 (minimum $60), plus $1 per $1,000 on the mortgage.
Rules and paperwork for private sellers in the territories
Lawyer at closing
A lawyer licensed in the territory handles the transfer, trust funds, mortgage payout and registration at the land titles office.
Land tenure
Some northern properties sit on leased or Commissioner's land rather than fee simple title. Confirm your tenure type with your lawyer before you advertise.
Small buyer pools
Fewer buyers means every caller counts. Many northern buyers have good incomes but limited credit history or savings, which is exactly who private financing helps.
Disclosure
No form is required for private sellers, but you can't hide known latent defects. Be clear about heating, foundation and permafrost issues.
How much commission you save in the territories
Commission is negotiable, but on a $500,000 home a typical agent fee is about $25,000 (5% total, before GST). Selling privately with No Commission System, the seller pays $0. See realtor commission in Canada for more examples.
Step by step: selling privately in the territories
- Talk to a lawyer and confirm the documents you'll need.
- Price from sold comparables in your area from the last 60 to 90 days. Pricing guide.
- Write your ad with the header "Zero Down Must Qualify / Bad Credit Money Down / Buy This House" and at least four bright photos. Ad guide.
- Screen every caller: do they need the private financing option, or are they pre-approved through a bank? Caller script.
- Show by appointment and get every offer in writing, with the deposit held in a lawyer's trust account.
- Close through lawyers, exactly like a bank-financed sale. How closing works.
How No Commission System helps the territories sellers
We help for-sale-by-owner sellers in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut get more buyers by partnering with a private lender. You keep selling your home yourself and add a financing header to your ad. Buyers who can't get a bank mortgage call, our private lender qualifies them, and lawyers close the sale. No commission, no contract, no obligation.
Sell it yourself, with more buyers calling
Add the private-financing header to your ad and let our private lender qualify the buyers the banks turn away. No commission, no contract, no obligation. Listing takes about 5 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to sell my house privately in Yukon, NWT or Nunavut?
Yes, in practice. A lawyer licensed in the territory handles the transfer, trust funds and registration.
Is there land transfer tax in the territories?
No. Buyers pay registration fees instead, which are much lower than provincial land transfer taxes.
How much commission would I save in the territories?
Commission is negotiable, but at about 5% on a $500,000 home that's $25,000 plus GST.
How much does No Commission System cost the seller?
Nothing. There are no fees, no commission and no contract. We're paid on the buyer's side, through the private financing for buyers who can't get a bank mortgage.
Is this a scam? Can my house be stolen?
No. Nothing is signed with us. Once the lender approves a buyer and they write an offer, the buyer, the lender and you each choose your own lawyer. The lender sends the funds to their lawyer, who closes with your lawyer, exactly like a bank-financed sale.
Related guides
General information for Canadian home sellers, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm the details with a real estate lawyer in your province before you sell.