What Realtor.ca MLS Changes Mean for Canadian Home Buyers in 2025

When it comes to buying a home in Canada, Realtor.ca is often the first stop—and for good reason. It’s the country’s most trusted real estate platform, operated by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), and it plays a central role in how homes are listed, marketed, and found. But what many buyers may not know is that Realtor.ca and the MLS® system have undergone major updates between late 2024 and mid-2025—quietly transforming the home buying experience across Canada.

If you’re planning to purchase a home this year, these Realtor.ca MLS changes could work to your advantage in powerful ways.

The Shift Toward Transparency and Speed

Over the past year, CREA has made substantial improvements to both the Realtor.ca website and its mobile app, all aimed at helping users find reliable, accurate, and useful information more quickly. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of sold-price data, now visible only in Nova Scotia. In this province, Realtor.ca listings display what a property actually sold for—not just its list price—once the sale is finalized. This helps buyers gain a more accurate understanding of market value, making it easier to evaluate comparable homes and prepare stronger offers. Nova Scotia is currently the only province in Canada where sold prices appear publicly on Realtor.ca.

Other provinces, including Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, have not authorized sold-price disclosure on the platform. In select regions—like Ontario and BC—some brokerages may show sold data on their own websites via login-restricted Virtual Office Websites (VOWs), but this information is not available on Realtor.ca. While CREA is in discussions with other provincial boards to expand this transparency feature, no further rollout dates have been confirmed.

In addition, a major national change was introduced through CREA’s REALTOR® Cooperation Policy, effective January 4, 2024. This policy applies across all provinces and territories in Canada and requires licensed REALTORS® to post a property on the MLS® within a maximum of three business days after marketing begins. Whether a property is promoted on social media, advertised by flyer, or mentioned in a newsletter, it must be listed promptly and made available to other REALTORS®, unless it is part of a written exclusive agreement.

This ensures timely access to listings across the country, reducing gaps between marketing and MLS exposure and giving all buyers equal opportunity to view new homes. Realtor.ca now reflects listings more quickly and more consistently—helping buyers stay competitive.

How Realtor.ca MLS Changes Improve Your Search Experience

Beyond pricing transparency, Realtor.ca has also introduced new listing filters and data fields that make searching more personal and practical. For instance, buyers in Nova Scotia can now filter properties by accessibility features such as grab bars, step-free entries, and wider hallways. These updates are not only helpful for individuals with mobility needs—they make the entire home search process more efficient and aligned with real-world preferences.

In Alberta, one significant improvement is how square footage is now displayed on Realtor.ca listings. While Alberta has followed the Residential Measurement Standard (RMS) since 2015, listings on Realtor.ca have not always consistently reflected that standard. As of early 2025, square footage in Alberta is being presented more uniformly and clearly, giving buyers a more accurate and comparable view across listings. This better aligns the platform with RECA’s long-standing measurement rules and helps reduce confusion for buyers trying to assess home size and layout.

CREA’s shift toward data accuracy and practical usability is further supported by a complete overhaul of the Realtor.ca mobile app, which launched its newest version on June 12, 2025. The app now includes improved map performance, overlays for public transit routes, and an in-app note-taking function

A New Direction for Realtor.ca

Another major change occurred behind the scenes: as of January 2025, Realtor.ca officially transitioned into a taxable, for-profit subsidiary of CREA. This move gives the platform more flexibility to invest in innovation, offer enhanced data services, and compete with emerging real estate technology companies.

While core tools remain free for the public, it’s expected that new premium features or advanced analytics tools may be introduced in the near future. Buyers can likely look forward to smarter filters, data overlays, market trend tools, and possibly even buyer-focused offer management features. These upgrades are still in development, but the shift in business structure means faster delivery of consumer tools is now a top priority.

What Buyers Should Be Doing Now

If you're planning to buy a home in Canada this year, these changes are good news. But how can you make the most of them?

Start by browsing with intent. If you're in a province where sold-price data is now visible (currently Nova Scotia), use it to evaluate the market more accurately. If accessibility is a priority for you or your family, take advantage of the new filters to quickly find properties that match your needs. And if you're buying in Alberta, the standardized square footage display allows you to compare listings on a more consistent basis.

Consider downloading the updated Realtor.ca app as well—it’s more than just a mobile version of the site. With new features like public transit overlays and note-taking, it helps streamline your search and keep everything organized.

Finally, while Realtor.ca is a powerful self-serve tool, having a experienced local real estate professionals on your side can help you interpret the data and move quickly when the right opportunity appears.

Whether you're just starting your search or getting ready to make an offer, understanding these Realtor.ca MLS changes gives buyers tools and insights that simply didn’t exist a year ago.

Looking Ahead

As of June 2025, Realtor.ca is more robust, responsive, and informative than ever before. With faster listing timelines, better data, and a platform geared toward innovation, Canadian home buyers are well-positioned to make smarter, more confident decisions.

MLS®, REALTOR®, and REALTOR.ca are trademarks owned or controlled by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and are used under license. This blog is not affiliated with CREA and uses these terms descriptively.

Need Professional Help Navigating Your Purchase?

Even with these digital upgrades, local expertise still matters. If you're looking to buy a home in Alberta or anywhere in Canada, use Pro Search to connect with trusted, top-rated real estate professionals who understand both your goals and the new Realtor.ca system.