Selling a Heritage Home in Unionville or Markham Village: Designation, Permits and What Buyers Will Ask

Seller Guide · Heritage Homes · Markham

A home that holds a story

Some homes are simply houses. A heritage home in Unionville or Markham Village is something more. It may have stood on its street for generations. Its windows, porch and brickwork are part of why the village feels the way it does.

For the owner, that history is often personal. It is the house where the children grew up, where years of care went into the details. So when the time comes to sell, the goal is not only a strong price. It is making sure the next owner understands and values what they are buying.

That is where preparation matters most. Heritage homes attract a special kind of buyer, and that buyer arrives with questions.

Two sellers, two very different experiences

Picture two families, each selling a century home on a heritage street. The homes are similar. The outcomes are not.

The first family lists quickly. Then the buyer questions begin. Is the house individually designated? Were the replacement windows approved? Can a rear addition be built? Nobody has the answers on hand. The buyer adds conditions, asks for more time and starts to worry about unknowns. Worry tends to show up in the offer price.

The second family takes a few weeks to prepare. They pull the City’s heritage record for the property. They gather permits for past work. They order an inspection from someone who understands older homes. They write down the home’s history. When buyers ask questions, the answers are already in the package.

The second family is not lucky. They are prepared. Buyers feel safer, and a buyer who feels safe is more likely to write a clean, confident offer. That is the approach Michael John Lau, REALTOR®, brings to every heritage listing.

Designation explained in plain language

Heritage protection in Ontario comes from the Ontario Heritage Act. A Markham home can be connected to it in three main ways:

Markham keeps all of this in the Markham Register of Property of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest. Owners can search it by address or heritage district. It is the first place a well prepared seller should look.

Unionville and Markham Village: two districts, two characters

The Unionville Heritage Conservation District is centred on Main Street Unionville, a village that still carries the feel of nineteenth century rural Ontario. The district was designated in 1997, according to the Ontario Heritage Trust. Buyers searching for a Unionville heritage district home for sale are often drawn by the walkable main street, the shops and Toogood Pond. For a closer look at the area, see the Main Street Unionville buyer’s guide.

The Markham Village Heritage Conservation District was created in 1991. The City describes it as its largest district, with 709 properties. It has three parts along Main Street Markham: Vinegar Hill, Markham Village and Mount Joy. Because the district is so large, it includes everything from nineteenth century homes to mid‑century bungalows.

That range matters to buyers. The City has been updating the Markham Village district plan. Properties are currently classified as Type A, B or C, and the proposed update moves to “Contributing” and “Non‑Contributing” categories. A house from the 1870s and a bungalow from the 1960s sit in the same district, but they are not treated the same way when changes are proposed. Knowing your home’s classification helps buyers understand what they can and cannot do.

Heritage permits: what needs approval

This is the topic buyers care about most. In Markham, alterations to an individually designated property or to any property in a heritage district need a Minor or Major Heritage Permit.

• Minor Heritage Permit: smaller exterior work such as windows, doors, cladding, roofing, soffits, eavestroughs and exterior lighting. The City does not charge a fee for this application.
• Major Heritage Permit: larger projects such as additions, new construction and demolition. Fees apply, and most of these applications are reviewed by the Heritage Markham Committee.
• Building permits come after: the City will not accept a building permit application until the heritage permit is in place.
• Interiors: inside a heritage district, interior changes do not need a heritage permit. Regular building permits still apply.

For a buyer planning a new kitchen, the news is reassuring. For a buyer planning a large addition or a new build, the permit path becomes part of their decision. Sellers who understand this can guide the right buyers to the home and save everyone time.

The January 1, 2027 deadline for listed properties

Recent provincial changes to the Ontario Heritage Act affect homes that are listed on the Register but not designated. Under the City’s published guidance, properties listed on or before January 1, 2023 must be removed from the Register as of January 1, 2027 if designation has not been started. Once removed, they cannot be listed again for five years.

Markham has been working through these properties with its Priority Designation Program. If your home is listed rather than designated, its status may change soon, either through designation or removal. Buyers will want to know which way it is heading. Confirming this with the City before listing avoids surprises during a negotiation.

What buyers will ask

Expect these questions from buyers and their agents. Having the answers ready builds trust from the first showing.

1. Is the home designated under Part IV, inside a Part V district, or only listed?
2. How is the property classified in the district plan?
3. Which heritage attributes are protected, such as the porch, windows or cladding?
4. Were heritage and building permits obtained for past work, and were they closed?
5. Could an addition, garage or second storey be approved?
6. What is the condition of the foundation, roof, wiring and plumbing?
7. Does the home qualify for any heritage tax or grant programs?
8. Is there anything registered on title, such as a designation by‑law or a heritage easement agreement?

How to prepare before you list

Pricing and positioning a heritage home

A heritage home rarely fits neatly beside a newer house down the road. Two homes in the same district can differ widely in age, condition and what the plan allows. City averages do not capture that. Street level data does.

Michael John Lau starts with the comparables that matter: sales inside the same district, homes of similar age and character, and the condition of each. Then the marketing speaks to the buyer who values history. That means telling the home’s story through photography and video, explaining the designation clearly, and making the paperwork easy to review.

The goal is simple. Help the right buyer understand the home, feel confident about the rules, and see the value the owners have protected for years. You can also review recent Unionville home values or learn where the heritage homes in Markham are.

Frequently asked questions

This article is general information, not legal advice. Heritage rules, programs and deadlines can change. Confirm details for a specific property with the City of Markham Heritage section before making decisions.