Realtor Fees in BC 2026: What Sellers Pay

There is no fixed realtor fee in BC. Commission is negotiated between you and the brokerage, and a structure you will often see in the Lower Mainland is 7% on the first $100,000 of the sale price plus 2.5% (sometimes 3%) on the balance, with 5% GST added on top. On a $1,000,000 home that works out to $29,500 to $34,000 in commission before GST, usually paid by the seller out of the sale proceeds at completion. This guide shows the math, explains who gets paid what, and covers the BC rules that protect you.

Whether you are talking to a Surrey realtor, a Langley realtor or a White Rock realtor, the same provincial rules apply. What changes from one agent to the next is the rate, what the fee pays for, and how clearly it is explained before you sign.

This article covers residential sales. If you own a plaza, industrial building or other investment property, our guide to commercial realtor commission in BC explains how those fees are built.

Is realtor commission set by law in BC?

No. The BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA), which regulates real estate professionals in the province, says plainly that there is no standard commission you have to pay when you list your home. A brokerage may have a usual rate, but any amount can be negotiated between you, your agent and the brokerage.

Negotiation works both ways. BCFSA also points out that an agent who will not accept the rate you propose is not breaking any rule. If you cannot agree, either side can walk away before a listing agreement is signed.

There is one fee structure BC does not allow. An agent cannot be paid based on the difference between the list price and the final sale price. You cannot, for example, list at $900,000 and let the agent keep everything above that. The rule exists so that no one has a reason to recommend underpricing your home.

How the common 7% and 2.5% structure works

The tiered structure is a local convention, not a requirement. It has two parts:

7% on the first $100,000 of the sale price, which is $7,000.
2.5% or 3% on the rest of the price above $100,000.

Because the first tier is fixed at $7,000, the effective rate drops as the price rises. On an $800,000 sale at 7% and 2.5%, the commission is about 3.06% of the price. On a $1,500,000 sale it is about 2.80%.

Some agents quote a single flat percentage instead, and some quote a fixed dollar amount. BCFSA notes that remuneration in a service agreement can be set out as a percentage, a set dollar figure or another method. What matters is that the number is written down and that you understand it.

Realtor fees in BC: a quick calculator

Here is what the two most common tiered structures cost at different sale prices. GST is 5% in BC and is charged on the commission, not on the price of a resale home.

Sale price	Structure	Commission	GST (5%)	Total
$800,000	7% / 2.5%	$24,500	$1,225	$25,725
$800,000	7% / 3%	$28,000	$1,400	$29,400
$1,000,000	7% / 2.5%	$29,500	$1,475	$30,975
$1,000,000	7% / 3%	$34,000	$1,700	$35,700
$1,500,000	7% / 2.5%	$42,000	$2,100	$44,100
$1,500,000	7% / 3%	$49,000	$2,450	$51,450

To run your own number: take the sale price, subtract $100,000, multiply the result by 2.5% (or 3%), then add $7,000. Multiply that commission by 1.05 to include GST.

For a local reference point, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board's September 2026 benchmark price for a detached home was $1,386,200 in Surrey, $1,471,100 in Langley and $1,542,600 in White Rock. At 7% and 2.5%, a sale at the Surrey benchmark would carry $39,155 in commission plus $1,957.75 GST. Benchmarks describe a typical home, not yours, so a free home valuation is the better starting point for your own estimate.

Listing side and buyer side: who gets what

In most BC resale transactions the seller pays one total commission to their own brokerage, the listing brokerage. When the buyer has their own agent, the listing brokerage shares part of that commission with the buyer's brokerage, called the cooperating brokerage.

BCFSA rules require the split to be clear from the start. A listing agreement must state the total the seller pays and the amount that will go to a cooperating brokerage. When an offer arrives, the seller's agent must give the seller a Disclosure to Seller of Expected Remuneration form, which turns the percentages into dollar figures for that offer: what the seller pays, what goes to the buyer's brokerage, and what the listing brokerage keeps.

On the buyer side, an agent being paid by the seller must tell their buyer client in writing where the money is coming from and how much it is, or the likely amount. Buyers in BC rarely write a cheque to their agent, but they are entitled to know how their agent is paid.

Remember that the agent is not the one who receives the commission directly. It is paid to the brokerage, which pays the agent under its own arrangement.

GST on realtor commission

The sale of a used home you have lived in is generally exempt from GST, but your agent's services are not. The Canada Revenue Agency treats real estate services connected to buying or selling property as taxable, and GST in BC is 5%.

Plan for GST when you work out your net proceeds. On a $34,000 commission, that is another $1,700. If you sell an investment or business property, speak with your accountant, because a GST-registered owner may be able to claim some of it back.

When and how the fee is paid

You do not pay commission when you list. In a normal sale, the commission is paid out of the sale proceeds when the deal completes. Your lawyer or notary handles the closing funds and pays out the brokerage, the mortgage payout and other costs, then sends you the balance.

What happens if the home does not sell or you cancel the listing depends on your contract. BCFSA's guidance is that the listing agreement sets out whether any commission is owed after termination, so read that clause before you sign. You can also renegotiate the fee partway through a listing if the services change, but the other side does not have to agree.

Keep in mind that commission is not your only selling cost. Legal or notary fees, a mortgage discharge and any prepayment penalty from your lender all come out of the same proceeds.

BC rules that protect sellers and buyers

A few BCFSA requirements are worth knowing before you hire anyone:

Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services. Before providing trading services, an agent must give you this form, which explains whether you are a client or an unrepresented party and what duties the agent owes you.
No dual agency. Since June 15, 2018, one agent cannot represent both the buyer and the seller in the same deal, except under a narrow exemption for remote and underserved areas. In Surrey, Langley and White Rock, expect each side to have its own representation.
Disclosure of outside payments. Referral fees from inspectors, mortgage brokers or other agents must be disclosed to you in writing, including the source and the amount.
Written fee terms. The commission must be set out in the service agreement, and the agreement must be amended if the fee changes.

What a realtor's fee should cover

A fee is only high or low compared with what it buys. When you interview agents, ask exactly what is included. A full-service listing usually covers:

A pricing plan based on recent comparable sales in your neighbourhood.
Professional photos, floor plans and, where it helps, video.
MLS exposure plus the agent's own buyer network and advertising.
Showings and open houses, with feedback reported back to you.
Handling offers, negotiating terms and subjects, and managing deadlines through to completion.

Ask how often you will hear from them, who actually runs the showings, and what happens if the first price does not work. A lower rate with a thin marketing plan can cost more than it saves if the home sits or sells below its value.

If you are comparing agents, we would be glad to be one of the teams you interview. Whether you are looking for a Surrey realtor, a Langley realtor or a White Rock realtor, our team works from our office on Foster Street in White Rock, and we put the fee and what it covers in writing before you sign anything.

How to negotiate realtor fees in BC

Commission is negotiable, so a respectful conversation about it is normal. A few approaches that tend to work:

Compare full proposals, not just rates. Ask two or three agents for a written pricing and marketing plan alongside their fee.
Ask about the cooperating share. The amount offered to buyer agents is set in your listing agreement, so ask how your agent recommends setting it and why.
Consider buying and selling together. Some agents will adjust their fee when you list with them and buy through them at the same time.
Get the final terms in writing. Whatever you agree belongs in the listing agreement, not in an email.

If you are thinking about selling and want a straight answer on what you would pay and what you would net, call The Oberoi Group at 604-385-3770 or book a free 15-minute call. We are happy to walk you through the numbers for your home with no obligation.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a realtor cost in BC?

There is no set fee. A common Lower Mainland structure is 7% on the first $100,000 and 2.5% to 3% on the balance, plus 5% GST, which is $29,500 to $34,000 before GST on a $1,000,000 sale.

Does the buyer pay realtor fees in BC?

Usually not. The seller pays the listing brokerage, which shares part of the commission with the buyer's brokerage, and the buyer's agent must disclose that payment to the buyer in writing.

Can a realtor keep everything above my asking price?

No. BCFSA prohibits commission based on the difference between the list price and the sale price.

Can I change the commission after I sign a listing agreement?

Yes, if both you and the brokerage agree. If either side declines, the original terms in the listing agreement stay in place.

Do I owe commission if I cancel my listing?

It depends on your listing agreement. The contract sets out whether any commission is payable after termination, so read that clause before you sign.

Sources

Rates, thresholds and program rules in this article were checked against these official pages on October 22, 2026. Rules change, so confirm current details before you act.

Realtor Fees in BC 2026: What Sellers Actually Pay in Surrey, Langley and White Rock