Guide
What does it cost to sell a home in Durham Region in 2026?
The short answer
Selling a $650,000 Durham home costs about $39,920 at a 5% commission: the commission, 13% HST on it, the lawyer and the move. That is roughly 6.1% of the price. Commission is negotiable, sellers pay no land transfer tax, and selling your own home is usually tax free.
Most of the cost of selling is one line, the commission, and it is negotiable. The rest is smaller and easy to plan for. This guide adds it all up on two Durham homes and shows the cheque you can expect on closing day.
Rules as checked in October 2026. The figures come from this site's net proceeds calculator, with a 5% commission, a $1,500 lawyer and $1,500 for the move. Change any line to match your own sale.
The costs, line by line
1. Commission
In Ontario there is no standard commission. You agree it with your brokerage and it is written into the listing agreement. It is usually shared between the listing brokerage and the brokerage that brings the buyer. HST of 13% is added. On a $650,000 home, each 1% of commission is $6,500 plus $845 of HST, so it is worth comparing what each brokerage does for the money.
2. The lawyer
Your real estate lawyer prepares the documents, pays off your mortgage from the sale money, settles the adjustments and sends you the rest. This guide uses $1,500 plus HST.
3. Your mortgage
The balance is paid off from the sale on closing day. A closed mortgage usually carries a prepayment penalty (opens in a new tab) if you end it early, and it can run to thousands of dollars. Ask your lender for a payout statement before you list. If you are buying again, ask whether you can move the mortgage to the new home and avoid the penalty.
4. Adjustments
Property tax and utilities are split to the closing day. If you have paid ahead, the buyer pays you back on closing.
5. Getting the home ready, and the move
Repairs, a deep clean, staging and the movers are up to you. A few weekends of preparation often pay for themselves in the price.
What sellers do not pay
- Land transfer tax: the buyer pays it.
- HST on the house: a resale home is normally sold without HST.
- Capital gains tax on your own home: the sale of your principal residence (opens in a new tab) is usually tax free for the years you lived there. You still report it on your tax return.
Two worked examples
| $650,000 townhouse | $900,000 detached | |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage left to pay off | $300,000 | $250,000 |
| Commission at 5% | $32,500 | $45,000 |
| HST on the commission | $4,225 | $5,850 |
| Lawyer, with HST | $1,695 | $1,695 |
| Moving | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Total selling costs | $39,920 | $54,045 |
| Your cheque on closing day | $310,080 | $595,955 |
Selling costs come to about 6.1% of the price on the townhouse and 6% on the detached home. A mortgage penalty, staging or repairs would come off the cheque. Open the townhouse example or the detached example and change any line.
Ways to keep more of the sale
- Price it right from the start. Homes priced to the market often sell sooner, and for more, than homes that sit. Start with a home value range, then have Natalia see the home.
- Line up your next move. If you are buying too, matching the two closing dates saves a second move and a stretch of paying for two homes. Natalia's cost to buy guide covers the buying side.
- Ask about your mortgage early. Moving it to the next home can save the whole penalty.
- Compare services, not only the rate. Ask each brokerage, in writing, what the commission includes: photos, marketing, open houses, and who negotiates the offers.
Moving to something smaller? Natalia's downsizing guide walks through the whole move. To get a number for your own home, book 15 minutes with Natalia.
Questions people ask
How much is real estate commission in Durham?
There is no set rate in Ontario. Commission is negotiable, written into the listing agreement, and usually shared between the listing brokerage and the buyer's brokerage. HST of 13% is added to it. This guide's examples use 5% of the price.
This answer on its own pageDo sellers pay land transfer tax in Ontario?
No. The buyer pays the land transfer tax. A seller's main costs are the commission and the HST on it, the lawyer, any mortgage prepayment penalty, and the move.
This answer on its own pageDo I pay capital gains tax when I sell my house in Ontario?
Usually not on your principal residence, for the years it was your home. You still report the sale on your tax return, on Schedule 3 and Form T2091. A rental or a second property is different, so ask an accountant.
This answer on its own pageWhat does it cost to break my mortgage when I sell?
A closed mortgage usually carries a prepayment penalty, which can run to thousands of dollars. Ask your lender for a payout statement before you list, and ask whether you can move the mortgage to your next home instead.
This answer on its own pageHow much will I take home from selling a $900,000 home in Durham?
With $250,000 left on the mortgage and a 5% commission, about $595,955, after the commission, the HST, the lawyer and the move, and before any mortgage penalty.
This answer on its own pageSources
Rules and rates come from these pages. Market figures are as reported for the dates shown.
General information, not legal, tax or mortgage advice. Rates, prices and rebate rules change often. Confirm the details with your real estate lawyer and a licensed mortgage professional before you make a decision.