Realtor Commission and Fees in BC: What Tri-Cities Sellers Actually Pay (2026)
When I sit down with homeowners in Coquitlam, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam who are thinking about selling, commission is usually the first question, and it should be. It's the largest single cost of selling a home, and it's often explained vaguely.
I'm Hiroshi Kubota, a REALTOR® based in West Coquitlam. This guide explains how realtor commission works in BC, what it actually costs on typical Tri-Cities homes, who pays it, and how to tell whether you're getting your money's worth.
How realtor commission works in BC
There's no fixed or legislated commission rate in British Columbia. Every commission is negotiated between you and the brokerage you list with.
Most listings in Metro Vancouver, including Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and Burnaby, use a tiered structure: a higher percentage on the first $100,000 of the sale price and a lower percentage on the rest. The formula you'll see most often is:
- 7% on the first $100,000
- 2.5% on the balance
- Plus 5% GST on the total commission
Some agents charge different tiers, a flat percentage or a flat fee. What matters is that you know exactly what you're agreeing to before you sign a listing agreement.
What commission costs on a typical Coquitlam, Port Moody or Port Coquitlam home
Here's what the common 7% / 2.5% structure works out to at prices close to current Tri-Cities benchmarks.
| Home (approx. Tri-Cities benchmark) | Sale price | Commission | GST (5%) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Coquitlam condo | $550,000 | $18,250 | $912.50 | $19,162.50 |
| Coquitlam condo | $640,000 | $20,500 | $1,025 | $21,525 |
| Port Coquitlam townhouse | $835,000 | $25,375 | $1,268.75 | $26,643.75 |
| Coquitlam townhouse | $975,000 | $28,875 | $1,443.75 | $30,318.75 |
| Coquitlam detached house | $1,585,000 | $44,125 | $2,206.25 | $46,331.25 |
| Port Moody detached house | $1,905,000 | $52,125 | $2,606.25 | $54,731.25 |
How the Coquitlam townhouse example is calculated:
7% × $100,000 = $7,000
2.5% × $875,000 = $21,875
Commission = $28,875, plus GST of $1,443.75 = $30,318.75
Who pays realtor commission in BC?
In almost every BC resale, the seller pays the full commission. It's deducted from the sale proceeds at completion, so you don't pay anything up front.
The total is then split between the two brokerages: the one that listed your home and the one that brought the buyer. Buyers in BC typically don't pay their agent directly.
Commission isn't the only cost of selling
Commission is the biggest line item, but sellers in BC also pay:
- Legal or notary fees for the closing
- Mortgage discharge fees, and possibly a prepayment penalty if you break a fixed-rate mortgage early
- Property tax adjustments for the part of the year you owned the home
- Moving costs, plus any repairs or cleaning before listing
For the full picture, see my step-by-step guide to selling your home in the Tri-Cities.
Is a lower commission always better?
Not necessarily. A lower fee only saves you money if your sale price holds up, and the work a full-service agent does is what protects that price.
Here's what I include on every listing, whether it's a condo near Coquitlam Centre, a townhouse in Port Coquitlam or a family home in Port Moody:
- Professional photography, never phone photos
- A measured floor plan, because buyers shortlist homes by layout
- Printed brochures and signage for showings and open houses
- Pricing based on real comparable sales in your neighbourhood, not a number picked to win the listing
- A clear plan if a listing goes stale, reviewing price and marketing to protect your negotiating position
- A trusted local trades network (plumber, roofer, pest control, handyman, cleaners) to fix small issues before buyers notice them
Ask any agent you're interviewing to show you exactly what's included and what's extra.
Questions to ask before you sign a listing agreement
- What is your commission structure, in writing, including GST?
- How is the commission split with the buyer's brokerage?
- What marketing is included: photos, floor plans, video, print?
- How long is the listing agreement, and can I end it early?
- What's your plan if the home doesn't sell in the first few weeks?
- Which recent sales near me are you basing your price on?
A good agent answers all of these plainly. I'd rather tell a seller "I don't know, let me find out" than guess, and you should expect the same honesty from anyone you hire.
Selling in Maillardville, North Burnaby or Central Coquitlam?
Commission works the same way across Metro Vancouver, but pricing and buyer demand vary a lot from one neighbourhood to the next. A Maillardville character home, a North Burnaby condo near Hastings Street and a Central Coquitlam family home near Mundy Park each attract different buyers. See current market activity on my Coquitlam, North Burnaby, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam pages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard realtor commission in BC?
There's no legal standard. The most common structure in Metro Vancouver is 7% on the first $100,000 and 2.5% on the balance, plus GST, but every commission is negotiable.
How much is realtor commission on a $1 million home in BC?
At 7% on the first $100,000 and 2.5% on the rest, commission is $29,500, plus $1,475 GST, for a total of $30,975.
Do you pay GST on realtor commission in BC?
Yes. GST of 5% applies to the commission amount.
Does the buyer pay realtor commission in BC?
In most resale transactions, no. The seller pays the full commission, which is split between the listing and buyer's brokerages.
When is realtor commission paid?
At completion. Your lawyer or notary deducts it from the sale proceeds.
Can I negotiate realtor commission in Coquitlam?
Yes. Commission is always negotiable in BC. Compare what's included, not just the percentage.