Should I pay for premium placement on Realtor.ca?
Should I pay for premium placement on Realtor.ca? Read this if you want to sell faster and net more — not just spend money.
Quick answer
Yes — sometimes. Not always. Pay for premium placement when the math and market conditions in Georgetown align. If you want visibility, more qualified buyer traffic, and a better chance to sell faster or for a higher price, premium placement can be a high-ROI tactic when used with an advanced marketing plan.
Why visibility on Realtor.ca matters (and why it doesn’t always win on its own)
Realtor.ca is the most-used property search site in Canada. Buyers in Georgetown use it first. That means a featured spot on Realtor.ca gets eyeballs fast. But visibility alone won’t sell a home. Listings with bad photos, sloppy descriptions, or weak targeting still underperform — even in a premium spot.
Think of premium placement as an amplifier. It raises volume. What you put into the amplifier — photos, price strategy, listing copy, targeted advertising — determines the output.
Georgetown-specific reality check
- Georgetown buyers are a mix: local families, commuters to Toronto and Guelph, and investors looking at Halton Hills. They value schools, transit access, historic downtown charm, and quick highway or GO connections.
- Inventory levels in Georgetown fluctuate. When inventory is tight, premium placement gives your listing a relative advantage. When inventory is high, premium listing helps you stand out amid noise.
- Certain neighbourhoods and price bands in Georgetown move faster (well-maintained detached homes, family-friendly suburbs). If your home sits in those bands, premium placement increases the chance of faster, multiple-offer scenarios.
The decision framework: When to buy premium placement
Ask these three questions:
- What is my goal? Faster sale? Higher price? More showings? More qualified leads?
- How competitive is my price band and neighbourhood right now?
- What is the total cost and expected lift in price or days-on-market?
If the expected gain (faster sale or higher price) exceeds the cost, do it. Simple math.
Example scenario (realistic, conservative):
- Listing price: $900,000 (typical mid-high range in Georgetown).
- Premium placement cost: $500–$1,200 for the campaign period (costs vary by package and duration).
- Estimated lift from combined premium placement + strong marketing: sell 1% higher = $9,000.
- Net gain after cost: $7,800–$8,500.
That’s a clear winner. For a $350,000 property, a 1% lift is only $3,500. If premium costs $800, the math is weaker.
What premium placement actually delivers
- Top-of-page views and repeated exposure to buyers actively searching in Georgetown and nearby towns.
- Higher click-through rates versus standard listings.
- Better lead volume — more showing requests and agent inquiries.
- When combined with targeted campaigns, it drives traffic that converts.
But it won’t fix a bad listing. If your photos are dark, your price is off, or your description is generic, premium placement delivers poor leads faster.
What to pair with premium placement (the advanced marketing playbook)
Premium placement should be one part of a focused promotional machine. If you pay for placement and skip these, you waste money.
- Professional photography and drone images: Buyers decide in 3 seconds. Great visuals convert clicks to showings.
- Floor plans and virtual tours: Especially useful for commuter buyers out of town. They pre-qualify buyers remotely.
- SEO-optimized listing copy with Georgetown keywords: use phrases buyers search for — “Georgetown homes for sale”, “Halton Hills family home”, “Georgetown near GO transit”, “Credit River proximity”, “downtown Georgetown schools.”
- Targeted digital ads: retarget people who viewed the listing on Realtor.ca, target Facebook/Instagram and Google with Georgetown radius targeting and interest-based filters.
- Agent network outreach: notify local buyer agents in Georgetown, Milton, Acton, and surrounding Halton areas.
- Broker open and local marketing: invite agents, use directional signs, community posts on local Facebook groups.
- Staging and minor improvements: small investments that increase perceived value.
Measuring success: metrics to watch
- Click-through rate vs. baseline listing CTR in the same price band.
- Showings per week.
- Number of offers and days on market.
- Final sale price vs. list price (net proceeds compared to cost).
A good target for premium placement is to reduce days on market by 30% or increase final price by at least 0.5%–1% when combined with the marketing playbook.
When premium placement is NOT the right move
- Low-priced listings where the cost outweighs the potential price lift.
- Properties needing major repairs or cosmetic work — fix the home first.
- If your agent can’t deliver the supporting marketing (photos, staging, targeted ads). Don’t buy visibility without quality.
Local examples: How top listings win in Georgetown
Top-performing listings in Georgetown don’t rely on one channel. They build urgency and targeted exposure. That looks like: great photos + Realtor.ca premium + Facebook neighborhood campaigns + email to local buyer agents + weekend broker open. The combined pressure creates higher-quality showings and often multiple offers.
You can replicate this in a cost-controlled way:
- Budget for premium placement for the first 7–14 days — the period when a listing either gains momentum or stalls.
- Simultaneously run a $200–$500 hyper-local Facebook carousel ad for the same period.
- Put professional photography and a floor plan on the listing.
- Ask your agent to push to local agent networks and set a broker open.
Cost control and negotiation
Don’t pay blindly. Ask for packages and proof. A good agent will show you comparable listings and explain expected lift. Negotiate bundle pricing: many agents include premium placement in their marketing budget or offer credits for staging to balance cost.
Final recommendation for Georgetown home sellers
- If your home is mid-to-high range or in a hot neighbourhood: yes, pay for premium placement — but only with professional photos, targeted ads, and agent outreach.
- If your home is lower-priced or needs work: fix the issues first, or invest in photos and targeted social ads instead.
- If your agent can’t show data or a marketing plan — walk away or demand transparency.
This is advanced marketing. Not flashy. Results-focused.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What exactly is premium placement on Realtor.ca?
Premium placement is a paid feature that highlights or features your listing above standard search results on Realtor.ca. It increases visibility and typically adds badges, larger images, or priority placement in search results.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary by region, package, and campaign duration. Expect a range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on how long and how prominently you run the campaign. Always ask for a breakdown and compare costs to expected benefit.
Will premium placement guarantee a sale above asking?
No. Nothing guarantees a higher sale price. Premium placement increases visibility and lead volume, which raises your chance of a competitive sale, but the final price depends on pricing strategy, condition, and demand.
How long should I pay for premium placement?
The first 7–14 days are critical. Buyer attention peaks early. Short, intense exposure combined with show-ready presentation is more effective than long, passive campaigns.
Can small homes or condos benefit?
Yes, if they’re in highly competitive segments or target investor/commuter buyers. But the ROI is smaller. For lower-priced units, test cheaper channels first (Facebook ads, professional photos) before paying for premium placement.
How do I measure return on investment?
Track extra views, showings, offers, and final sale price versus expected baseline. Calculate net gain (increase in sale price or saved days on market) minus premium cost. If net gain is positive, you earned ROI.
Are there better alternatives?
Sometimes. Enhanced photography, staging, video tours, Google Ads, and targeted social campaigns can outperform premium placement for the same budget, especially if your current listing presentation is weak.
What local marketing tactics work best in Georgetown?
- Targeted ads to commuters and families within a 45–60 minute radius of Georgetown.
- Highlight transit links (Georgetown GO), downtown amenities, and school catchment areas in listing copy.
- Use local Facebook groups and Nextdoor posts.
- Broker opens and outreach to agents in Halton Hills, Milton, and Guelph.
If you want a no-fluff evaluation for your specific Georgetown property, email tony@sousasells.ca or call 416-477-2620. I’ll run the numbers, show comparable results, and outline an exact marketing plan — which includes whether premium placement on Realtor.ca is worth it for your listing.
Tony Sousa
Local Realtor — Georgetown & Halton Hills
https://www.sousasells.ca
