The short answer
Realtor fees in Calgary are negotiable. No rate is set by law or by the regulator. Don Wong, with 2% Realty Inc., charges a 1% listing brokerage fee and normally offers 1% to the buyer's brokerage, for a combined 2% plus GST. On a $700,000 sale, that is $14,000 plus $700 GST. The 7%/3% comparison structure on the same sale works out to $25,000. Buyer-side commission is negotiable. A higher buyer-side offer increases your total. Confirm every number in your written listing agreement.
Are Realtor fees fixed in Calgary?
No. Commission is agreed between you and your brokerage and written into the listing agreement. Alberta's real estate regulator, RECA, says commissions are negotiable in its Home Seller's Guide (RECA Home Seller's Guide).
This page compares against 7%/3%: 7% on the first $100,000 of the sale price, plus 3% on the rest. It is a way to compare quotes, not a required Calgary rate, and not a quote from any particular brokerage. Commissions are Negotiable.
What does Don's 2% commission include?
1% for your listing brokerage. Normally 1% offered to the buyer's brokerage. Together that is the combined 2% used on this page, before GST.
- The 2% is combined. It is not 2% for the listing side plus a separate buyer-side fee.
- You decide the buyer-side offer. Buyer-side commission is negotiable. If you offer the buyer's brokerage 2% instead of 1%, your combined commission is 3%. On a $700,000 sale, that is $21,000 before GST. The buyer-side amount is not added twice.
- GST is extra. At Alberta's 5% GST rate, a $14,000 commission has $700 GST added, for $14,700.
- It is full service. It includes pricing advice, professional photography, MLS® and REALTOR.ca exposure, showing coordination and negotiation. Agree on any extra promotion and its cost in advance.
A commission offer does not guarantee showings or a sale. Read how MLS® exposure and buyer representation work.
How much are Realtor fees on a Calgary home? Worked examples
$700,000 sale
| Line | 7%/3% comparison | Don's combined 2% |
|---|---|---|
| Commission before GST | $25,000 | $14,000 |
| GST (5%) | $1,250 | $700 |
| Total with GST | $26,250 | $14,700 |
| Difference | $11,000 before GST ($11,550 with GST) |
$950,000 sale
| Line | 7%/3% comparison | Don's combined 2% |
|---|---|---|
| Commission before GST | $32,500 (7% × $100,000 = $7,000, plus 3% × $850,000 = $25,500) | $19,000 |
| GST (5%) | $1,625 | $950 |
| Total with GST | $34,125 | $19,950 |
| Difference | $13,500 before GST ($14,175 with GST) |
At other prices (commission before GST)
| Sale price | 7%/3% comparison | Don's combined 2% (1% + 1%) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $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 |
| $950,000 | $32,500 | $19,000 | $13,500 |
| $1,200,000 | $40,000 | $24,000 | $16,000 |
These are fee illustrations, not a promise of savings. They assume a 1% buyer-brokerage offer. A higher buyer-side offer changes the total and the difference. Want a different price? Use the Calgary realtor commission calculator.
The commission isn't your whole selling budget
Commission and its GST are one line on your closing statement. Before you list, work out what you'll actually keep:
- Start with a realistic sale-price range.
- Subtract your mortgage payout and any lender charges.
- Subtract the agreed listing fee, the buyer-brokerage offer and GST.
- Allow for legal fees, adjustments, preparation and moving.
Your lender can give you a payout statement and any prepayment charge. Your lawyer can explain legal costs and closing adjustments. For a full worksheet, see the cost to sell a house in Calgary. For legal fees, see Calgary real estate lawyer fees.
When is the commission paid?
Your listing agreement sets the terms. In practice, the commission is usually paid from the sale proceeds when the sale closes, and your lawyer accounts for it on the statement of adjustments. Confirm the timing and what happens if the home doesn't sell before you sign.
What the service includes
Compare the service plan as well as the fee.
- Price. Review recent comparable sales, active competition, condition and the features buyers will compare.
- Prepare. Decide what is worth fixing, cleaning or staging before photography, and what isn't.
- Launch. Professional listing media, accurate property details, and MLS® and REALTOR.ca exposure.
- Respond. Showing coordination, feedback and direct communication with Don.
- Negotiate. Weigh price, deposit, conditions, possession and closing risk. The highest offer isn't always the strongest.
- Close. Work with your lawyer and the buyer's side through conditions and possession.
Seven questions to ask any Realtor before you sign
- What is the listing fee: a percentage, a tiered calculation or a fixed amount?
- What buyer-brokerage compensation do you propose, and is it in the quote or added on top?
- Is GST shown separately, and what is the total with tax?
- Do you charge separately for photography, measurements, advertising or admin?
- Who handles pricing, showing feedback, offers and communication?
- When is the commission payable, and what happens if the home doesn't sell?
- What are the agreement's term and cancellation terms?
Get the answers in writing. Then compare the proposals on the same terms: the same price, the same buyer-side offer, GST included. For a side-by-side of service as well as cost, see 2% Realty vs other Calgary Realtor fees.
Compare what you keep, not just the fee
Commission is one part of the result. A home priced too high can sit while buyers pick other homes. Poor presentation makes a good home easy to overlook. An offer with shaky financing can cost you time and money. Start with a free home evaluation and ask for your likely selling costs at the same time. Then you can compare price, service and commission together.
Your questions, answered.
Are Realtor fees fixed in Calgary?
No. Commission is negotiated and set out in your written listing agreement. RECA's Home Seller's Guide says commissions are negotiable. 7%/3% is a comparison example, not a required rate.
Is Don's 2% only the listing fee?
No. It is combined: 1% to Don's listing brokerage and normally 1% offered to the buyer's brokerage, plus GST. If you choose a higher buyer-side offer, the total goes up.
How much would I pay on a $700,000 home?
With Don's combined 2%, $14,000 plus $700 GST, for $14,700. The 7%/3% comparison on the same sale is $25,000 before GST, a difference of $11,000 before GST.
Is GST charged on Realtor commission in Alberta?
Yes. GST at 5% is added to the commission. On a $14,000 commission, that is $700.
Does a lower commission mean less MLS® exposure?
Don's service includes MLS® and REALTOR.ca exposure, professional photography and showing coordination. Exposure alone doesn't guarantee showings or a sale. Ask about the whole launch plan before you list.
When is the commission paid?
Your agreement sets the terms. The commission is usually paid when the sale closes, and your lawyer accounts for it. Check the terms if the home doesn't sell.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked November 4, 2026.