What you need to know
At $700,000, Don’s 2% combined commission is $14,000 before GST. The 7%/3% example is $25,000. You keep $11,000 more before GST at the same sale price.
Calculate what you could keep.
The calculator compares total commission before GST at the same sale price. Don’s 2% includes 1% for each brokerage.
Compare your total commission.
Enter an estimated sale price. Don’s 2% includes 1% for each brokerage. Amounts below are before GST.
The commission formula, step by step.
For Don’s fee, multiply the sale price by 0.02. For the 7%/3% example, calculate 7% of the first $100,000 and 3% of the balance, then add those two amounts. Subtract Don’s fee from the comparison amount to see the difference.
For a $900,000 sale: Don’s commission is $18,000. The comparison is $7,000 + $24,000 = $31,000. The difference is $13,000 before GST. GST is 5% of each commission amount; the difference including GST is $13,650.
| Sale price | 7%/3% example | Don’s 2% | You keep more |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $16,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 |
| $500,000 | $19,000 | $10,000 | $9,000 |
| $700,000 | $25,000 | $14,000 | $11,000 |
| $900,000 | $31,000 | $18,000 | $13,000 |
| $1,200,000 | $40,000 | $24,000 | $16,000 |
Full service is part of the comparison.
Don’s fee is 2% combined commission: 1% for the listing brokerage and 1% for the buyer’s brokerage, plus GST. That includes pricing advice, professional photography, MLS® exposure, showing coordination and negotiation through the sale.
Don has sold more than 650 Calgary-area homes using this business model and has worked in Calgary real estate since 2013. His experience helps you put the price, preparation and negotiation decisions together.
The selling price still deserves as much attention as the fee. Don reviews similar sold homes, the listings competing for the same buyers, the property’s condition and your timing. The aim is to put a well-presented home in front of buyers at a price supported by the market.
Turn commission savings into a complete sale budget.
Commission is one line in your budget. Add legal fees, any mortgage prepayment or discharge charges, property preparation, moving expenses and closing adjustments. Obtain a lender payout estimate for your anticipated closing date.
A practical worksheet is: sale price, less commission and GST, less mortgage payout, less legal and other selling costs. The remainder is the equity available after that sale. If you are purchasing too, reserve the deposit, purchase-side closing costs and any overlap expenses. Use the full selling-cost guide to build the worksheet.
Get a selling range for the home behind the number.
An accurate price range makes the calculator useful. A citywide average cannot account for your lot, layout, updates, parking or competing listings. Send Don your address and any recent improvements, and he will review the relevant evidence.
The 7%/3% example is a comparison, not a mandatory rate. Commissions and buyer-brokerage compensation are negotiable. Don’s written estimate will explain the 2% structure and any agreed variation so your budget uses the right total.
Your questions, answered.
Does the calculator include GST?
The displayed comparison is before GST. Multiply either commission amount by 1.05 to include the 5% GST.
Is the buyer-brokerage amount included?
Yes. Don’s 2% model includes 1% for the listing brokerage and 1% for the buyer brokerage. An agreed change to that allocation or total should be reflected in your written estimate.