OTTAWA REAL ESTATE
How Much Is a Real Estate Agent's Commission in Ottawa?
Real estate commission in Ontario is not fixed, regulated, or set by any board or association — every rate is negotiated individually between a seller and their REALTOR®. That said, industry sources commonly cite a combined range of roughly 3.5% to 5% of the sale price as typical, usually split close to evenly between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, with the seller paying the full amount out of the proceeds at closing. This guide explains how commission actually works, what it pays for, and how it fits into the total cost of a sale.
Jason Polonski offers a competitive 1% listing commission option — full service, without the industry-typical rate. To find out exactly what a listing would cost on a specific home, call or text Jason at (613) 601-9333 or request a free home evaluation. For the full picture of every cost involved in a sale, not just commission, see the cost of selling a home in Ottawa.
Why commission isn’t a fixed rate
Unlike some regulated fees, real estate commission in Canada is explicitly not standardized, and it’s illegal for real estate boards or associations to set or recommend a fixed rate — the Competition Bureau of Canada is clear that commission rates are strictly a matter of negotiation between a seller and their REALTOR®. That means every number quoted as “typical” is exactly that — typical, not required — and a seller is always free to discuss and negotiate the rate with any agent they’re considering.
The typical commission range in Ottawa
Because there’s no fixed rate, figures vary by agent, brokerage, and negotiation, but industry sources commonly describe a combined range of about 3.5% to 5% of the sale price as typical in Ontario, most often split close to evenly between the listing side and the buyer’s side. HST applies to commission, which is worth including in any estimate. Where a specific sale lands within — or below — that range depends on the agent, the home, and what’s actually being negotiated, which is exactly why it’s worth asking directly rather than assuming a number.
Prefer to Pay Less Than the Typical Rate?
Jason Polonski offers full-service representation for a competitive listing commission — full MLS® and REALTOR.ca exposure, professional photography, powerful online marketing, expert pricing, and skilled negotiation, so you keep more of your equity when your home sells.
Who actually pays the commission
The seller pays the full commission out of the sale proceeds at closing — buyers don’t pay their agent directly in a typical residential transaction. The listing brokerage collects the full commission and pays out the buyer’s agent’s share as part of the transaction; this is standard practice across Ontario and is why buyer representation is effectively cost-free to the buyer in most deals. The Canadian Real Estate Association outlines the professional standards behind how REALTORs are compensated across this structure.
What commission actually pays for
Commission isn’t a fee for a single task — it covers a REALTOR®’s work across the entire sale: a comparative market analysis and pricing strategy, professional marketing and full MLS®/REALTOR.ca exposure, coordinating showings, negotiating offers, and managing the transaction through to closing, all while carrying professional liability for the advice given along the way. The Real Estate Council of Ontario sets the standards and conduct requirements that every licensed REALTOR® in the province is bound by, which is part of what a commission is paying for beyond just the transaction itself.
Get Cash Back When You Buy a Home in Ottawa
Can you get cash back when buying a home in Ottawa? Yes. Jason Polonski, a Chairman's Club REALTOR® serving Ottawa and Kanata, shares part of his commission with buyers — up to $3,000 cash back at closing.* You still get full-service, award-winning representation: expert pricing, sharp negotiation, and hands-on guidance from first showing to keys in hand. No cut corners and no rebate-only shortcuts — just real money back in your pocket when you buy your Ottawa or Kanata home.
Is a lower commission always the better deal?
Not automatically — the rate itself isn’t the full picture. A lower commission that comes with reduced marketing, less negotiation experience, or a rushed pricing strategy can cost a seller more in a lower final sale price than it saves in fees. The number that actually matters is net proceeds: what’s left after commission, not the commission rate in isolation. That’s the case for a commission structure that’s genuinely competitive without cutting the service that affects the final number — which is the model behind Jason’s 1% listing commission option, still backed by full marketing, professional photography, negotiation, and hands-on guidance through closing.
Can commission be negotiated?
Yes, always. Since there’s no fixed or standard rate, every seller is entitled to discuss commission directly with any REALTOR® they’re considering, and it’s a completely normal part of choosing an agent. Current Ottawa Real Estate Board market conditions can factor into that conversation too — commission structures sometimes flex with how competitive the local market is at the time of listing.
Where commission fits in the listing agreement
Commission isn’t a separate conversation from choosing an agent — it’s written directly into the listing agreement, along with the term length and each party’s responsibilities. It’s worth reviewing this alongside the other questions a seller should ask before signing; questions to ask when selling your house and home sellers tips for Ottawa both cover what to confirm before committing to an agent and a rate. The Ontario Real Estate Association publishes background on the standard listing agreement forms used across the province, which typically spell out commission terms clearly. Broader housing market data from Statistics Canada can also help put a specific commission conversation in context relative to the wider Canadian market.
Want to pay less? See how to negotiate realtor commission in Ontario, or estimate your total with the Ontario realtor commission calculator.
Commission at a glance
| Question | Typical answer |
|---|---|
| Is commission fixed or regulated? | No — it’s negotiated on every listing |
| What’s the commonly cited range? | Roughly 3.5%–5% of the sale price, combined |
| How is it usually split? | Close to evenly between listing and buyer’s agents |
| Who pays it? | The seller, out of proceeds at closing |
| Does HST apply? | Yes |
| Is it negotiable? | Yes, always |
| Jason’s listing commission | 1% — full service, competitively priced |
A commission structure built around net proceeds, not headline rates
Understanding commission is only useful in the context of the whole picture — what a home will actually sell for and what a seller actually keeps — which is exactly the conversation Jason Polonski has with every seller from the start. With 15+ years selling homes across Ottawa and the West End and recognition on the Best in Ottawa Top REALTOR® list seven years running, Jason offers a competitive 1% listing commission option without cutting the marketing, negotiation, or service that affects the final sale price.
His results and client reviews are on his Google Business Profile. To find out exactly what commission would look like on a specific home, call or text Jason at (613) 601-9333, request a free home evaluation, or explore the full guide to selling your house in Ottawa.
How Much Is a Real Estate Agent’s Commission (FAQs)
There’s no legally standard or fixed rate — commission is negotiated individually on every listing. Industry sources commonly cite a combined range of roughly 3.5% to 5% of the sale price as typical in Ontario, but the actual rate depends on the agent and what’s negotiated.
Yes, always. It’s illegal for real estate boards or associations to set or recommend a fixed commission rate, so every rate is a matter of direct negotiation between a seller and their REALTOR®.
Typically no. The seller pays the full commission out of the sale proceeds at closing, and the listing brokerage pays out the buyer’s agent’s share as part of the transaction, making buyer representation effectively cost-free to the buyer in most residential deals.
Not inherently — what matters is what’s included. A lower rate is a genuine advantage if the marketing, pricing strategy, negotiation, and service stay full, and a legitimate concern only if any of those are quietly reduced to make the lower number work.
Not necessarily, and it can mean the opposite. What matters most is net proceeds — the final sale price minus all costs — not the commission percentage by itself. A skilled agent charging less can often net a seller more than a higher-commission agent with a weaker pricing or marketing strategy.
Commission is typically the highest single cost in a sale, but it’s one of several — legal fees, a possible mortgage discharge fee, staging, and moving costs also factor in. The full cost breakdown is on cost of selling a home in Ottawa.
