Blog > My Listing Expired in Markham. What Should I Do Next?
Expired Listing · Markham
What should I do if my Markham listing expired without selling?
Pause before relisting. Find out why it didn't sell, check your old agreement's holdover clause, and only relaunch with a real change in price, presentation, or exposure. Relisting the same way usually gets the same result.
An expired listing is frustrating. You prepared the house, kept it clean for showings, and waited. Now the listing has ended, and your phone may be ringing with agents you have never met.
An expired listing is not a reflection of your home's worth as a place to live. It is feedback on how the home was priced, presented, and marketed. That feedback is useful, if you use it.
Why Markham Listings Expire
- Price: listed above what buyers could justify from recent sales on the same street or in the same neighbourhood.
- Presentation: photos, staging, or condition that did not compete with other listings.
- Exposure: limited marketing beyond the MLS.
- Access: hard-to-book showings, or tenants who were not cooperative.
- Timing: a slow season, or a surge of similar homes at the same time.
Read more in why your house isn't selling in Markham.
First, Check Your Old Listing Agreement
- Confirm it has actually ended. Check the expiry date.
- Find the holdover clause. If a buyer who saw your home during the listing buys it within the holdover period, the previous brokerage may still be owed commission. Tell any new agent about this.
- Keep your records: showing feedback, the number of showings, offers received, and price changes.
Look at What the Market Told You
| What happened | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Few showings | Price or online presentation is stopping buyers from booking |
| Many showings, no offers | Buyers liked the photos but not the value in person |
| Low offers | Buyers see a gap between the list price and comparable sales |
| Repeated specific comments | A fixable issue, such as smell, clutter, or a dated room |
Your Options Now
- Relaunch with a real change: new photos, preparation, a price based on current sold data, and a fresh marketing plan.
- Take a short pause: sometimes waiting for a better season, while fixing the issues buyers raised, is the right call.
- Rent the home temporarily if you don't need to sell now. Know that selling a tenanted home later has its own rules.
- Stay off the market if your plans have changed.
Questions to Ask Your Next Agent
- What specifically will you do differently from the last listing?
- Which sold homes support your suggested price?
- What is your preparation and staging plan?
- How will you reach buyers beyond the MLS?
- How often will you report showing feedback to me?
Michael John Lau has helped Markham sellers relaunch after a listing failed, including a condo that was unsold for two years and sold in 37 days. Learn more on the expired listing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other agents contact me after my listing expires?
Yes. Once the listing has expired, other agents may reach out. You don't need to decide quickly. Take the time to understand why it didn't sell first.
What is a holdover clause?
It is a period after your listing ends during which your previous brokerage may still be owed commission if you sell to a buyer who was introduced to the home during the listing. Check the length in your agreement.
Should I lower my price when I relist?
Only if current sold data supports it. Price is one lever. Presentation, exposure, and access often matter just as much.