Costs, Comparisons and 2026 Rules
How realtor commission, land transfer tax, legal fees and GST/HST work in each province, and the rules that apply in 2026.
cost of selling a house in Canada and realtor commission
The real cost of buying or selling a home in Canada, added up
Commission, sales tax on that commission, land transfer tax, legal or notary fees and closing adjustments can add tens of thousands of dollars to a move. These guides show how each one is calculated in your province, with the arithmetic shown.
- Realtor commission structures, HST on commission and what is negotiable while the Competition Bureau reviews CREA rules
- Land transfer tax for Ontario, Toronto, BC and Quebec, including first-time buyer relief
- GST/HST on new homes, the first-time buyer GST rebate and the rules for non-Canadian buyers
Explore by topic
Worked Examples and Checklists
Full worked examples for sellers and buyers, commission negotiation, and checklists for closing day.
Mistakes, Disputes and Official Sources
Costly mistakes in listing agreements and closings, rules for non-Canadian buyers, taxes on a sale, complaints and official sources.
Start here
Worked Examples and Checklists
Buyer closing costs on a $1 million home: Toronto vs Vancouver vs Quebec compared
The same $1,000,000 resale home bought in Toronto, Vancouver and a Quebec municipality, with land transfer tax, legal or notary fees and first-time buyer relief worked out.
Worked Examples and Checklists
Closing costs checklist for Canadian buyers and sellers: every item, by stage
A stage-by-stage checklist of closing costs when buying or selling a home in Canada, with province-specific items, who pays each one and how to estimate it.
Costs, Comparisons and 2026 Rules
Cost of buying and selling a home in Canada: every fee and tax explained
A complete map of the costs of selling and buying a home in Canada in 2026, from realtor commission and HST to land transfer tax, legal fees and GST rebates.
Costs, Comparisons and 2026 Rules
GST/HST on a new home and the first-time buyer GST rebate (2026 guide)
When GST or HST applies to a home purchase, how the First-Time Home Buyers' GST Rebate of up to $50,000 works, and how it fits with existing new housing rebates.
Costs, Comparisons and 2026 Rules
Land transfer tax by province in Canada: rates, who pays and first-time buyer relief
Compare land transfer tax across Canadian provinces in 2026, including Ontario, Toronto, BC, Quebec's welcome tax and the provinces that charge only title fees.
Costs, Comparisons and 2026 Rules
Realtor commission in Canada: how it is calculated, split and taxed
How real estate commission works in Canada in 2026, from percentage and tiered rates to flat fees, the buyer-side split, GST/HST on commission and when it is paid.
Tools
Realtor Commission and Net Proceeds Calculator
Turn a commission percentage into dollars, including GST or HST, and see what is left from the sale price after other selling costs.
Land Transfer Tax Calculator (bracket method)
Calculate Ontario, Toronto or BC land transfer tax, or Quebec transfer duties, from your top bracket using the published rates.
Buying and Selling Closing Costs Checklist
Tick off every cost and document a Canadian buyer or seller should budget for, from offer to keys.
Ways to buy and sell a home in Canada: who does what and what it costs
| Option | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service listing | Listing brokerage markets the home, lists it on the MLS system, handles showings and negotiation; commission is a percentage of the sale price, part of which may be offered to the buyer's brokerage | Sellers who want pricing advice, marketing and negotiation handled for them | GST/HST is added to the commission; check the holdover clause and how long the agreement runs |
| Reduced or tiered commission | Same model at a lower or tiered rate, for example a higher percentage on the first part of the price and a lower one on the rest | Higher-priced homes where a flat percentage produces a large fee | Ask what services are cut and whether the buyer-side offer is lower, which can reduce showings |
| Flat-fee MLS listing | You pay a fixed fee to have a brokerage put the home on the MLS system; you do showings and negotiation yourself | Confident sellers in active markets who can price and negotiate | You usually still offer a commission to buyer's brokerages; extra services cost extra |
| Private sale (FSBO) | No listing brokerage; you advertise, show and negotiate yourself and hire a lawyer or notary for the paperwork | Sales to a buyer you already know, or very strong markets | Pricing errors and weak contract terms cost more than the commission saved; in Quebec, use a notary early |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sell a house in Canada?
Most sellers pay a realtor commission plus GST or HST on it, legal fees, and any mortgage payout costs such as a prepayment charge and discharge fee. Commission is negotiable and is the largest item, so turn the percentage into dollars with the commission calculator. Sellers do not pay land transfer tax.
Who pays land transfer tax in Canada?
The buyer. It is due when the transfer is registered (in Quebec, the municipality bills the transfer duties after the sale). Alberta and Saskatchewan have no land transfer tax but charge land titles registration fees. See land transfer tax by province.
Is realtor commission negotiable in Canada?
Yes. No law sets a standard rate, and the CREA rules and provincial regulators treat commission as a matter between you and the brokerage. You can negotiate the rate, a tiered structure, the amount offered to the buyer's brokerage and the length of the agreement. See how to negotiate commission.
Is HST charged on realtor commission?
Yes. Real estate services are taxable, so GST (5%) or HST (13% in Ontario, 14% in Nova Scotia, 15% in the other Atlantic provinces) is added to the commission. In Quebec, GST and QST (9.975%) apply. The sale price of a resale home itself is normally exempt from GST/HST.
Do first-time buyers pay land transfer tax?
Often less. Ontario refunds up to $4,000, Toronto rebates up to $4,475, and BC exempts first-time buyers from tax on the first $500,000 for homes worth up to $835,000 (partial up to $860,000). Quebec has no general provincial first-time buyer exemption, though some municipalities offer programs.
Can a first-time buyer get GST back on a new home?
Yes, through the First-Time Home Buyers' GST Rebate enacted in 2026: up to $50,000 for a new home priced up to $1 million, reduced to zero at $1.5 million, for agreements signed after 19 March 2025 and before 2031. Resale homes do not qualify. See GST/HST on new homes.
Can non-Canadians buy a home in Canada in 2026?
Generally not in towns and cities: the federal Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, in force since 1 January 2023, was extended to 1 January 2027, with exceptions for some work permit holders, students and others. Check canada.ca for any further extension before signing. See foreign buyer ban and non-resident taxes.
Do I need a lawyer or a notary to buy a house?
Outside Quebec, a real estate lawyer (or in BC, a lawyer or a notary public) handles title, mortgage and registration. In Quebec, a notary prepares and registers the deed of sale. Ask for a written quote showing fees, disbursements and title insurance separately.
How this site is made
Closing Tally is an independent information project. Guides are drafted with the help of AI writing tools and checked against official and primary sources before publication; see our Editorial Policy. We are not affiliated with any provider mentioned on the site and do not sell products or services.