Commission is the least-explained number in this business. Here is how it genuinely works, what the market rate is, where flat fee makes sense and where it costs you more than it saves, and how to get a straight quote for your specific property.
How commission actually works in Ontario
There is no set rate. Commission is negotiable by law, and any agent who tells you otherwise is wrong. What is standard is the structure:
- The seller pays both sides. The listing agreement sets a total, and part of it is offered to the brokerage that brings the buyer.
- HST applies on top of the commission.
- It comes off the proceeds at closing, handled by the lawyers. You are not writing a cheque up front.
What varies enormously is what you get for it — and that is the part worth interrogating before you sign anything.
What is the marketing budget in dollars, who pays for it, and what happens if I want to cancel? Get all three in writing. A low rate with no marketing spend is not a discount, it is a smaller service being sold at a smaller price — which is fine, as long as you know that is the trade.
Where flat fee genuinely makes sense
Flat fee is not a scam and I will not pretend otherwise. It works well when:
- Your property is in a segment that sells itself — a well-priced condo in a building with steady turnover and recent comparable sales.
- You are experienced, available for showings, and comfortable running your own negotiation.
- You genuinely only need MLS exposure and paperwork, not positioning.
It works badly when the property needs a story: an unusual layout, a stigmatised address, a building with a special assessment, a house where the value is in the land, or anything where the first three weeks of exposure decide the outcome. In those cases the fee you saved is dwarfed by the price you left behind.
What you should compare, instead of rate
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Their last five sales in your building or on your street | Local evidence beats a general track record |
| Sale price to list price, and days on market, on those five | Tells you whether they price properly or chase the market down |
| Photography, floor plan, staging — included or extra? | This is where “cheap” quietly becomes expensive |
| Who actually attends your showings and offers | Many teams hand you to a junior after the listing appointment |
| The cancellation clause | If they are confident, they will not lock you in |
My answer on price
I do not publish a single rate, because a $600,000 condo in a building I already know and a $2.4M house that needs staging, a floor plan, a pre-list inspection and six weeks of positioning are not the same job. Quoting one number for both would mean overcharging one of you.
What I will do is give you the number in writing, before you commit to anything, along with exactly what is included and what the marketing spend is. If a flat-fee service is the better fit for your situation, I will tell you that too — I would rather lose the listing than take a fee for work you did not need.
Get a written quote for your property
Tell me the address and what you are trying to do. You will get a straight number and exactly what it includes — in writing, before any meeting.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 437-987-1925.
Work out your own numbers first
What is my home worth?Free AI valuation for the GTA
What is my condo worth?Floor, exposure, parking and locker
Who pays realtor fees in Ontario?The full breakdown in dollars
Read further
- What it costs to sell a house in Ontario in 2026 — every line item
- The current market report — what this month’s numbers mean for a seller
- Sold results — what I have actually transacted
Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke. Commission is negotiable and is not set by any board or association. Nothing on this page is a quote until it is in writing and signed. Not intended to solicit sellers currently under contract with another brokerage.