{"id":12362,"date":"2026-07-30T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/news\/?p=12362"},"modified":"2026-07-30T07:40:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T11:40:54","slug":"save-on-real-estate-commission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/save-on-real-estate-commission","title":{"rendered":"How to Save on Real Estate Commission &amp; Realtor Fees in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you\u2019re planning to sell a home in Canada, chances are you\u2019re hoping to make a profit on that sale. However, traditional real estate commissions often take a large chunk of your equity. For instance, on a $696,078 home sale (the national average as of June 2026), 5% Realtor commission fees would amount to $34,803.90, plus tax. This is why it\u2019s crucial that you research how to save on real estate commissions if you plan to sell in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news is that real estate commissions are not legally fixed in Canada and are fully negotiable. While you may feel that you\u2019re stuck with traditional Realtor commissions, there are alternative options that exist, such as low-commission real estate agents and flat-fee MLS\u00ae listing services, if you\u2019re looking for how to save on Realtor fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Traditional real estate commissions in Canada typically range between 3% to 7% of the sale price, but they vary by region<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To save money on fees, consider a discount brokerage or negotiating the commission rate with a full-service real estate agent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Selling your home on your own, without a Realtor, could potentially save thousands of dollars in selling costs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"understanding-traditional-realtor-fees-in-canada\">Understanding Traditional Realtor Fees in Canada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Real estate commissions are the fee you pay to a real estate agent for using their services. In general, sellers pay the commission to both the buyer\u2019s agent and the seller\u2019s agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"how-much-does-real-estate-commission-cost?\">The typical Canadian real estate commission varies depending on where you live. Some provinces charge a standard percentage, regardless of the final sale price, while others use a graduated percentage. Here\u2019s a breakdown of how traditional real estate agent commissions work by province. However, keep in mind that the typical commission rates may vary by region, especially in rural areas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"footable_parent_25676\"\n         class=\" footable_parent ninja_table_wrapper loading_ninja_table wp_table_data_press_parent semantic_ui \">\n                <table data-ninja_table_instance=\"ninja_table_instance_0\" data-footable_id=\"25676\" data-filter-delay=\"1000\" aria-label=\"Real Estate Commission Rates by Province\"            id=\"footable_25676\"\n           data-unique_identifier=\"ninja_table_unique_id_1135200758_25676\"\n           class=\" foo-table ninja_footable foo_table_25676 ninja_table_unique_id_1135200758_25676 ui table  nt_type_legacy_table hide_horizonal_borders hide_vertical_borders striped compact vertical_centered  footable-paging-right ninja_table_search_disabled ninja_table_pro\">\n                <colgroup>\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_0 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_1 \">\n                    <\/colgroup>\n        <thead>\n<tr class=\"footable-header\">\n                                        <th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_0 ninja_clmn_nm_province \">Province<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_1 ninja_clmn_nm_typical_commission_rate \">Typical Commission Rate<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n\n        <tr data-row_id=\"17622\" class=\"ninja_table_row_0 nt_row_id_17622\">\n            <td>British Columbia<\/td><td>7% on the first $100,000 of the sale price and 2.5% on the remainder<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17623\" class=\"ninja_table_row_1 nt_row_id_17623\">\n            <td>Alberta<\/td><td>7% on the first $100,000 of the sale price and 3% on the remainder<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17624\" class=\"ninja_table_row_2 nt_row_id_17624\">\n            <td>Saskatchewan<\/td><td>6% on the first $100,000 of the sale price, 4% on the next $100,000, and 2% on the remainder<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17625\" class=\"ninja_table_row_3 nt_row_id_17625\">\n            <td>Manitoba<\/td><td>Between 3% and 5% of the sale price<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17626\" class=\"ninja_table_row_4 nt_row_id_17626\">\n            <td>Ontario<\/td><td>5% of the sale price<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17628\" class=\"ninja_table_row_5 nt_row_id_17628\">\n            <td>Quebec<\/td><td>Between 4% and 6% of the sale price<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17627\" class=\"ninja_table_row_6 nt_row_id_17627\">\n            <td>New Brunswick<\/td><td>Between 5% and 6% of the sale price<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17629\" class=\"ninja_table_row_7 nt_row_id_17629\">\n            <td>Newfoundland & Labrador<\/td><td>5% of the sale price<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17630\" class=\"ninja_table_row_8 nt_row_id_17630\">\n            <td>Nova Scotia<\/td><td>Between 4% and 5% of the sale price<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17631\" class=\"ninja_table_row_9 nt_row_id_17631\">\n            <td>Prince Edward Island<\/td><td>5% of the sale price<\/td>        <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody><!--ninja_tobody_rendering_done-->\n    <\/table>\n    \n    \n    \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Commissions are usually split evenly between the listing agent and the buyer\u2019s agent. However, some provinces offer a slightly higher percentage to the seller\u2019s agent. All the amounts are due with applicable taxes (GST\/HST) on the commission when the transaction closes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This means if you sell a home in Ontario at the average price of $831,595, you would pay $20,790 to both agents, bringing your total Realtor costs to $41,580 before tax.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In BC, on an average home price of $946,878, the buyer\u2019s agent would receive $12,970 and the seller\u2019s agent would get $15,202, for a total of $28,172 before tax.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to stress that commissions are clearly stated in the listing agreement, so once you agree to the terms, you can\u2019t start looking for ways to save on real estate agent commissions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strategy-1:-partner-with-low-commission-real-estate-agents\">Strategy 1: Partner with Low-Commission Real Estate Agents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best ways to save on real estate commission during the home-selling process is to consider using a discount brokerage or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/difference-realtors-agents-brokers\">real estate agent<\/a> that uses the 1% model. A 1% real estate agent is someone who will only charge you a 1% commission to sell your property instead of the typical 2.5%. However, the buyer\u2019s agent will typically still receive their 2.5%, but you will still experience significant savings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/help-sell-your-home-fast\">How to Sell Your Home Fast: The Ultimate Guide for Canadian Homeowners<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>The general consensus in the industry is that you still get the same services, but the trade-off is volume since discount agents will take on more clients. What\u2019s important to stress is that the business model is a bit different, as these brokerages rely on transaction volume and technical efficiencies to lower costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since you\u2019re only paying 1% to the selling agent, this means you could save 1.5% on Realtor fees. For the average Canadian home, this translates to savings of $10,441.17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros of a Low Commission Agent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You get full agent support with professional photography, MLS\u00ae exposure, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/negotiate-house-sale-price\">negotiation<\/a> help<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have massive financial savings since you\u2019re cutting 1.5% from your closing costs, which can be a significant amount on homes over $1 million<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cons of a Low Commission Agent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You still generally need to offer a competitive commission to the buyer\u2019s agent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You could get less personalized attention if the brokerage is handling a high volume of sales<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strategy-2:-use-a-flat-fee-mls\u00ae-listing-(mere-postings)\">Strategy 2: Use a Flat Fee MLS\u00ae Listing (Mere Postings)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for different ways to save on Realtor fees, you\u2019ll want to explore the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/how-to-sell-your-home-privately-canada\">For Sale By Owner<\/a> (FSBO) hybrid path. As the name implies, FSBO means the seller lists and sells the property on their own without a real estate agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A flat fee MLS\u00ae listing (technically called a &#8220;Mere Posting&#8221;) is a hybrid option that enables you to list your home on REALTOR.ca and other real estate websites like Zolo, the same as a traditional listing, by paying an upfront, one-time fee (typically ranging from $500 to $1,000).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/things-to-repair-before-selling-house\">What Not to Fix When Selling a House: A Canadian Guide to Smart Pre-Listing Repairs<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>This MLS\u00ae listing will give your home maximum exposure and potentially attract serious buyers, while maintaining control over pricing and negotiations, improving your odds of selling yourself. For example, if you want to save on Realtor fees, you can list with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/list-your-home\">EazySell by Zolo<\/a>, where you get 90 days of full exposure to the MLS\u00ae System for only $500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros of a Flat Fee MLS\u00ae Listing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reduced selling costs since you\u2019re not handing over the traditional 2.5%. For the average home price in Ontario, you would replace a $20,790 expense with a $500 one<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You retain complete control over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/showing-your-home-for-sale\">showings<\/a>, open houses, and negotiations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You get full MLS\u00ae exposure without paying the hefty commission<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cons of a Flat Fee MLS\u00ae Listing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You must do all the heavy lifting (pricing, paperwork, and vetting buyers)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You should still offer a buyer&#8217;s agent commission to incentivize agents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not ideal for first-time sellers who aren\u2019t comfortable with staging, photography, marketing, negotiations, and everything else involved in selling a home<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strategy-3:-how-to-negotiate-fees-with-a-full-service-realtor\">Strategy 3: How to Negotiate Fees with a Full-Service Realtor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re still looking for how to save on Realtor fees, but don\u2019t want to miss out on the traditional experience as a seller, it\u2019s important to note that everything is negotiable. You can negotiate with a full-service real estate agent to see if they\u2019re willing to drop their rate, since different brokers offer varying levels of service in marketing, experience, and overall assistance. For example, some full-service agents offer price analysis, home staging, open-house techniques, extensive negotiation, and help with closing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.davedubbin.com\">Dave Dubbin<\/a>, a Broker and Senior Vice President at Sotheby&#8217;s International Realty Canada, recommends that you interview three real estate agents before listing your place. He noted that they will all offer different levels of service, and you can negotiate accordingly. The general expert consensus is that before you enter into negotiations, you should compare commission structures from multiple agents in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/how-to-find-a-real-estate-agent\">How to Find a Real Estate Agent<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>However, you should take a realistic look at the services that they offer and if the value matches your expectations. Choosing on price alone can mean leaving money on the table if the agent can\u2019t negotiate effectively. Dubbin warned, \u201cProperties don&#8217;t sell for a fixed amount, it&#8217;s a range of value based on the skill and marketing of the listing agent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some of the questions that you should ask Realtors before signing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What services are included?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How will the home be priced and staged?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What marketing do you offer?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What happens if the listing doesn\u2019t do well?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bottom-line\">Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your primary goal is to save on real estate commission, you\u2019ll want to explore all of your options to ensure that you choose the path that makes the most sense for your unique situation. If you\u2019re experienced in real estate transactions, you can enjoy massive savings from a flat-fee MLS\u00ae listing. On the other hand, if you haven\u2019t sold a home before, you could benefit from working with a full-service Realtor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/list-your-home\">EazySell by Zolo<\/a> to list your home for just $500 plus tax, meaning you could save thousands in commission fees. If you don\u2019t sell, you choose to list with a Zolo full-service agent within the 90-day period, your $500 fee is deducted from the agent\u2019s commission when your home sells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-save-on-real-estate-fees-faqs\">How to Save on Real Estate Fees FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I still have to pay the buyer\u2019s agent if I use a flat fee MLS\u00ae listing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is recommended that you offer a commission to the buyer\u2019s agent, even with a flat fee MLS\u00ae listing, to attract buyer interest and cooperation from buyers and their agents. The standard commission is typically 2% to 2.5% for the buyer\u2019s agent, but it varies by location and is separate from what you pay a seller&#8217;s agent or listing service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do low-commission real estate agents offer the same level of service?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It depends on the brokerage, but many modern discount brokerages offer full service, providing professional photography, handling open houses, and managing legal paperwork and negotiations. However, always check the contract terms as some ultra-low-rate agents may charge extra for premium marketing features, signage, or lockboxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are real estate commissions subject to GST\/HST in Canada?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. The Canadian government treats real estate commissions as professional services and therefore, they are subject to sales tax. For example, a seller in Ontario will pay 13% HST on top of the calculated commission fee, whereas a seller in Alberta will pay 5% GST.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a buyer save on Realtor fees, too?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Buyers typically avoid out-of-pocket Realtor fees since the seller covers the agent&#8217;s commission. However, buyers can save on other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/real-estate-closing-costs\">closing costs<\/a> by shopping around for a real estate lawyer or searching for buyer cashback rebates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Saving money during the sale of a home is a top priority for most homeowners. Here&#8217;s a look at the various ways to save on real estate commissions<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":106,"featured_media":25680,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"guide":[],"class_list":["post-12362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-selling"],"acf":[],"zolo_excerpt":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/106"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12362"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12362\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25681,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12362\/revisions\/25681"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12362"},{"taxonomy":"guide","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide?post=12362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}