Cost of Selling a House Calculator
By Hami Tahm · Last reviewed September 2026
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Realtor commission, legal fees, mortgage discharge, and other selling costs — combined into one total, and what you'd actually walk away with.
How much does it cost to sell a house in Canada?
Selling a house in Canada typically costs 4–7% of the sale price once every cost is counted — the largest piece is realtor commission (which is also taxed: GST in most provinces, HST in Ontario and Atlantic Canada), plus legal fees, a mortgage discharge fee, and any other selling costs like staging or moving. This calculator combines all of those into one total and one net proceeds figure.
There is no set commission rate in Canada
Cost of selling calculator
Commission structures reviewed August 2026.
Commission
Ontario is usually quoted as one percentage of the whole price — commonly 5%, split about evenly between the two brokerages — plus 13% HST. General province rate: 13.00%.
Staging, repairs, moving, etc.
Breaking a fixed-rate mortgage early may add a prepayment penalty — see the Mortgage Prepayment Calculator to estimate it and add it to "other selling costs" above.
Estimated net proceeds
$451,000
After commission, mortgage payout, and every selling cost entered.
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Key Takeaways
- The largest cost of selling a house in Canada is usually realtor commission — and it's taxed on top of the percentage quoted, since GST/HST applies to the commission as a service.
- Total selling costs typically run 4–7% of the sale price once commission, legal fees, mortgage discharge, and other costs are combined.
- Net proceeds is sale price minus every one of these costs minus whatever is still owing on the mortgage — not just the commission.
- Breaking a fixed-rate mortgage before its term ends can add a prepayment penalty on top of the discharge fee — check this separately if it applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to sell a house in Canada?
- Total selling costs in Canada typically run 4–7% of the sale price once realtor commission (plus GST/HST on the commission), legal fees, a mortgage discharge fee, and any other selling costs are combined. Commission is the largest single piece and is not regulated — the rate on your listing agreement is what actually applies.
- Is GST or HST charged on real estate commission?
- Yes. Commission is a taxable service, so sales tax applies to the commission itself — 5% GST in most provinces, 13% HST in Ontario, and higher HST rates in Atlantic Canada. This is separate from any tax on the sale of the home itself.
- What is net proceeds when selling a house?
- Net proceeds is the sale price minus everything it costs to sell — commission and its sales tax, legal fees, the mortgage discharge fee, other selling costs — and minus whatever mortgage balance is still owing. It's the actual amount you walk away with at closing.
- Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my house?
- Not if it was your principal residence for every year you owned it — that gain is fully exempt under the CRA's principal residence exemption. Since 2016, though, you still have to report the sale: file Schedule 3 and Form T2091(IND) with your tax return for that year, designating the property as your principal residence, even though no tax is owed. Skipping this filing can trigger CRA penalties, so it isn't purely optional paperwork.
- What is a mortgage discharge fee?
- A one-time administrative fee your lender charges to release (discharge) their claim on the property once your mortgage is paid off at closing — typically in the $200–$350 range, separate from any prepayment penalty for breaking a fixed-rate term early. Check your mortgage statement or ask your lender for the exact figure on your file.
- Can I negotiate real estate commission in Canada?
- Yes. Commission rates are not set or regulated by any provincial or federal body in Canada — every percentage is a starting point on a listing agreement, not a legal minimum. Every rate field in this calculator is editable so you can enter what's actually on your own agreement rather than a generic average.
- Do I pay land transfer tax when I sell my house?
- No. Land transfer tax (or BC's Property Transfer Tax) is paid by the buyer as part of their closing costs, not by the seller — it isn't part of the cost of selling at all. See the Land Transfer Tax Calculator if you're also buying your next home.
- What if I owe more on my mortgage than my house sells for?
- This is sometimes called being "underwater" on a mortgage. You'll need your lender's approval to complete the sale, since the payout won't fully discharge the mortgage — some lenders allow the shortfall to be rolled into a new loan or require it repaid separately at closing. Talk to your lender and a real estate lawyer before listing if your remaining mortgage balance is close to or above your expected sale price.
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