August 28, 2026 | Selling
How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Ontario: Every Fee You Need to Know Before You List
So how much does it cost to sell a house in Ontario, all fees included? Most sellers ask this question halfway through their listing appointment, once the excitement of a big sale price starts running into the reality of everything that gets subtracted from it before a cheque ever lands in their account.
We think sellers deserve the full picture before they sign anything, not after closing day. Here is every cost you can expect, using real numbers from a typical Pickering sale.
The Cost People Actually Ask About First: Commission
Real estate commission in Ontario typically runs between 3.5 and 5 percent of the sale price, combined for both the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. On a $950,000 Pickering home, roughly the current average sale price in the city as of July 2026, that works out to somewhere between $33,250 and $47,500.
Then HST applies to that commission at 13 percent, adding another few thousand dollars on top. Using the same $950,000 example at a 5 percent combined rate, you are looking at about $47,500 in commission plus roughly $6,175 in HST, for a total of $53,675 before any other cost is factored in.
This is usually the single biggest expense in selling a home, and it is also the one sellers understand the least going in. Ask your agent to walk through exactly how the commission splits between the listing side and the buyer’s side, and what that pays for in terms of marketing, negotiation, and everything happening behind the scenes.
Legal Fees
A real estate lawyer is not optional in Ontario. Expect to pay somewhere between $1,000 and $1,600 for a seller side closing, covering the discharge of your existing mortgage, preparation of closing documents, and the transfer itself. Complicated files, such as an estate sale or a property with a lien, can push that number higher.
Mortgage Discharge Fee
If you still have a mortgage registered against the property, your lender charges a discharge fee to release it, typically in the $200 to $400 range. This is separate from any prepayment penalty, which only applies if you are breaking your mortgage term early rather than simply selling and paying it out.
Staging
Staging is optional, but it consistently affects how fast a home sells and how buyers perceive its value. A light staging package for an occupied home, think decluttering, furniture arrangement, and a few accent pieces, can run $1,500 to $3,000. Full staging for a vacant property, where a company brings in furniture for every room, tends to land between $3,000 and $6,000 depending on the size of the home and how long it stays on the market.
Repairs and Pre Listing Touch Ups
Every home needs something before it hits the market: paint touch ups, a deep clean, minor landscaping, maybe a small repair a home inspector would flag. Budget $500 to $3,000 for this category depending on the age and condition of your home. Older homes in established Durham Region neighbourhoods often need a bit more here, while newer builds may need almost nothing.
Moving Costs
Local moves within Durham Region typically run $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the size of your home and whether you hire full service movers or just a truck and a couple of helpers. Long distance moves, or moves requiring storage between closing dates, can climb well past $3,000.
Home Inspection, If You Choose One
Pre listing inspections are not required in Ontario, but some sellers choose to get one done proactively so there are no surprises during negotiations. Expect to pay $400 to $600 for a standard inspection.
How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Ontario, All Fees Added Up
Here is what those costs look like as a percentage of your sale price for a typical Ontario seller:
| Cost | Typical range, percent of sale price |
|---|---|
| Real estate commission | 3.5 to 5.0 percent |
| HST on commission | 0.46 to 0.65 percent |
| Legal fees | 0.16 to 0.26 percent |
| Staging and prep | 0.1 to 0.6 percent |
| Repairs and touch ups | 0.1 to 0.6 percent |
| Moving costs | 0.05 to 0.3 percent |
Add it all together and most Ontario sellers land somewhere between 6 and 10 percent of their sale price in total selling costs, with commission and its HST making up the large majority of that figure. On a $950,000 home, that is roughly $57,000 to $95,000 once every fee is accounted for.
That range feels wide because it genuinely depends on your situation. A move in ready home that needs no staging and no repairs sits at the low end. An older property that needs work, plus full staging, plus a longer than average move, lands closer to the high end.
Why Sellers Are Often Surprised by This Number
Most sellers focus on their sale price and their remaining mortgage balance, then get caught off guard by everything in between. A transparent breakdown before you list means no surprises at closing, and it also means you can budget properly for your next purchase instead of assuming every dollar of your sale price is available to put down on your next home.
This is also why pricing strategy matters so much. A home priced correctly and sold quickly often nets a seller more, after costs, than a home that sits on the market for months and eventually sells below its original list price anyway.
Get a Clear Number for Your Specific Home
Every home is different, and so is every seller’s cost breakdown. Geeta Rajpal and Team Rajpal walk Durham Region sellers through a full, itemized estimate before they ever sign a listing agreement, so there are no surprises between your accepted offer and your closing statement.
If you are trying to figure out how much it will actually cost you to sell your specific house in Ontario, all fees included, start with a free home valuation and we will build out the full picture with you, line by line. You can also book a seller’s consultation directly if you are ready to talk numbers.
For related reading, see our breakdowns of capital gains tax when selling a house in Ontario and what your house is worth in Durham Region right now.
Commission and HST figures based on WOWA.ca Ontario seller cost data; Pickering average sale price from Durham Region resale market data, July 2026. In short, how much does it cost to sell a house in Ontario, all fees included, comes down to commission, legal fees, and the smaller costs sellers often forget to budget for.
Have Questions?
Reach out to our experts! Whether you need help with a transaction or you’re just looking for market information, we’re here to help.
