Blog > What Happens When Your Listing Expires in Markham?
Michael John Lau is a top real estate agent in Markham and a REALTOR® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region. When a listing expires, he helps sellers understand exactly where they stand before they decide on a next step.
What happens when a home listing expires in Markham
When your listing agreement reaches its expiry date without a sale, the brokerage’s authority to market the home ends and the listing shows as expired on the MLS® system. You are free to relist with the same brokerage, choose a new one, or take a break. But most Ontario listing agreements include a holdover period, commonly 60 to 90 days, during which commission may still be owed if the home sells to a buyer introduced during the listing. The listing history does not disappear: TRREB’s property days on market lets buyer agents see the full time your home has been for sale.
What Changes on the Expiry Date
- Marketing stops. The brokerage no longer has authority to advertise or show the home.
- The MLS® status changes to expired. The listing is no longer active for buyers.
- Your phone may ring. Expired listings are visible to agents, so many sellers hear from several brokerages within hours.
- Nothing about your home’s history is erased. Earlier listings remain part of its record.
The Holdover Period
Most Ontario listing agreements, including the standard OREA form, include a holdover period: a set number of days after expiry, often 60 to 90. If you sell during that window to a buyer who was introduced to the home during the listing, the original brokerage may still be owed commission. The exact terms depend on your agreement, including what happens if you sign with a new brokerage during the holdover, so read the clause or ask a lawyer before you accept an offer.
| Situation after expiry | What to check |
|---|---|
| A buyer who saw the home during the listing comes back | The holdover clause and its length |
| You relist with a new brokerage | How your old agreement treats a new listing during the holdover |
| You want a clean break | Ask for a written release, including the holdover |
What Buyers and Agents Can Still See
TRREB tracks two measures. Listing days on market count only the current listing. Property days on market count the total time a home has been for sale, including earlier listings. In September 2026, Markham homes that sold averaged 34 listing days but 50 property days on market. Buyer agents can see that history, so simply relisting does not make a home look new. What makes a relaunch work is a real change.
Listing expired? Call Michael John Lau, REALTOR®, at (416) 700-0286 for a clear review of what happened and what your options are.
Your Options After Expiry
| Option | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Relist with the same brokerage | You trust the plan, and you agree on what will change |
| Interview new brokerages | You want a fresh strategy, pricing view or marketing approach |
| Take a break | Your plans changed, or the home needs work first |
| Rent the home instead | You want to keep the property for now |
If you would rather not reach the expiry date at all, the listing can be extended before it ends using an amendment, OREA Form 240. A listing can also be cancelled early only by agreement, usually with OREA Form 242.
Handling the Calls
It is normal to hear from several agents after a listing expires. Some calls will be helpful. Before you sign anything, ask each agent to explain why your home did not sell, what they would change, and the recent sales behind their price. Commission is fully negotiable, and the right fit is the agent whose plan makes sense to you. You are not obliged to sign with anyone right away.
Before You Decide on a Next Step
- Find your listing agreement and note the holdover period.
- Ask your brokerage for a summary of showings and feedback.
- Compare your list price with homes that sold nearby during your listing.
- Decide whether your timeline still requires a sale.
For the relaunch strategy itself, see why your home did not sell and how to relaunch it. Ultimately, the decision is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information before you sign a new agreement.
Next Steps
- Free home evaluation: a fresh look at your price.
- Selling your Markham home: a plan for your relaunch.
- Seller agent services: what full representation includes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when my listing expires?
The brokerage can no longer market the home, and the listing shows as expired on the MLS system. You can relist, change brokerages or take a break.
What is a holdover period?
A set number of days after expiry, often 60 to 90 in Ontario, during which commission may still be owed if the home sells to a buyer introduced during the listing.
Can I list with a new agent right after my listing expires?
Yes, but check your holdover clause first, because it affects what you may owe if a buyer from the original listing returns.
Does relisting reset days on market?
It resets listing days on market, but TRREB's property days on market shows the full time the home has been for sale.
Why are so many agents calling me?
Expired listings are visible to agents. You don't have to sign with anyone right away.
Can I extend my listing before it expires?
Yes, by agreement with your brokerage, usually through an amendment such as OREA Form 240.
Work With Michael John Lau in Markham
Michael John Lau helps Markham sellers whose listings have expired understand what happened, check their agreement, and decide on a clear next step. If a relaunch makes sense, the plan is built on recent sales and real buyer feedback.
📞 Contact Michael John Lau, REALTOR®
🌐 www.callmikelau.com
Has your listing expired?
Michael John Lau can review your showings, pricing and agreement terms and explain your options clearly.
Michael John Lau, REALTOR® · Markham, Ontario · (416) 700-0286
Disclaimer. Michael John Lau is a licensed REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers in Markham, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Holdover and form details are general descriptions based on OREA forms and the Polsinello Real Estate Team’s guide (April 18, 2026); the terms of your own agreement govern. Days on market figures are from TRREB Market Watch, September 2026. Speak with a real estate lawyer about your agreement. Michael John Lau is not a lawyer, accountant, tax advisor or mortgage professional. This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Speak with a qualified professional about your own situation.