For years, buying a home in Ontario meant walking into a "blind bidding war"—submitting your best offer without really knowing where you stood.
Now, with the Trust in Real Estate Services Act (TRESA) fully in effect, the landscape has shifted. Buyers and sellers across the GTA have more transparency options than ever before—and knowing how to use them can make a massive difference in your bottom line.
What is Open Bidding in Ontario?
Under TRESA, sellers now have the option to run an “open offer” process—something that simply didn’t exist in the old Ontario rules.
Here’s how it works:
It’s Optional: Sellers can still choose the traditional blind bidding route. Nothing is mandatory, and you can switch strategies mid-stream if the market demands it.
The Seller Controls the Data: They can disclose specific details like price, closing date, or conditions—or keep certain terms private.
Privacy is Still Protected: Even in an open bid, buyer identities and personal details are never shared.
Pro Tip: When I’m working with buyers, the first place I check is the Broker Remarks in the internal MLS system. That’s where listing agents indicate whether offers are open or closed—so we can build the right strategy before we even draft the paperwork.
Designated vs. Multiple Representation (This Matters)
This is one of the biggest shifts under TRESA—and it's a huge win for consumer advocacy.
1. Designated Representation (The New Gold Standard)
Most brokerages in the GTA now use this model. It allows one agent to represent the seller and another agent to represent the buyer—even if they both work for the same company.
Full Advice: Your agent is legally bound to give you their best advice.
Full Advocacy: Someone is 100% in your corner.
2. Multiple Representation (Less Common)
This only happens when the same individual agent represents both sides of the deal. In this case:
The agent must stay neutral (like a referee).
They cannot advise either side on price or strategy.
Written consent is required from both parties.
What This Means for You in the 2026 Market
If You’re Selling
Transparency is now a tactical strategy.
In a competitive market: Sharing offer details can create a sense of urgency and push prices higher.
In a balanced market: Keeping things blind might be better to encourage strong, standalone offers.
It’s not one-size-fits-all—we look at your specific neighborhood and timing before deciding.
If You’re Buying
You now have more insight than ever. Every buyer must receive the RECO Information Guide, which clearly outlines your rights. If the seller chooses an open process, we can use real numbers—not guesswork—to structure an offer that is both competitive and responsible.
The Bottom Line
TRESA puts more control and clarity back into the process for both buyers and sellers. Whether you’re buying in Brampton or selling in Toronto, the key is knowing how to use these rules to your advantage.
Have questions about how these rules affect your next move? Let’s sit down and look at the data together—no pressure, just the facts you need to move forward confidently.
From Loan to Home — Your Trusted Path to Ownership. 🏡