Realtor Fees in Alberta: What Sellers Pay in 2026
The short answer
Alberta has no set realtor fee. The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) says there is no standard commission for real estate services in the province, and commissions are negotiable.
The usual model is 7% on the first $100,000 of the sale price and 3% on the rest, according to LowestRates.ca. GST of 5% goes on top, since RECA confirms GST applies to real estate services.
What realtor fees come to in Alberta
Sale price | Commission at 7% and 3% | GST at 5% | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
$300,000 | $13,000 | $650 | $13,650 |
$450,000 | $17,500 | $875 | $18,375 |
$600,000 | $22,000 | $1,100 | $23,100 |
On a $450,000 sale, 7% of the first $100,000 is $7,000 and 3% of the remaining $350,000 is $10,500. That's $17,500 in commission, plus $875 in GST.
Who pays the realtor fee?
The seller usually pays. RECA explains that the seller typically agrees to pay commission to their brokerage once the home sells, and that same agreement sets how much is shared with the buyer's brokerage.
The fee goes to the brokerage, which then pays the agent. RECA notes an agent can't ask you to pay them directly.
Can you negotiate realtor fees in Alberta?
Yes. RECA says commission is negotiable. Some brokerages will move on their rate and some won't, and you're free to pick one whose fee you're comfortable with.
When you compare agents, RECA's rules give you some footing:
Your agent has to tell you how they'll be paid.
The fee has to be written into a service agreement.
The fee can be a split percentage or a flat amount that stays the same whatever the sale price.
Alberta's Real Estate Act also bans one arrangement: a brokerage can't keep everything above a net price the seller says they'd accept.
Other costs when you sell
The realtor fee is usually the biggest cost of selling. The Calgary Real Estate Board lists these others:
Legal fees for the lawyer who handles the sale
A Real Property Report and a municipal compliance certificate
Condo documents, if the home is a condo
A mortgage prepayment penalty, if you're ending your mortgage early
Moving costs
The mortgage penalty varies the most. CREB notes it's typically three months of interest on a closed variable-rate mortgage and can be much higher on a closed fixed-rate one. Your lender can give you the exact figure.
Ways to keep more of your sale price
The simplest is to compare a few agents and ask each one for their rate and what it covers. Some brokerages charge a flat fee instead of a percentage, so it's worth asking about that too.
You can also skip the listing and sell directly to a buyer, which means no commission at all. A direct sale usually brings a lower price than a listed home. What you get back is a quick, private sale with a firm closing date and no showings.
Common questions
Is there a standard realtor fee in Alberta?
No. RECA says there is no standard commission in Alberta. The 7% and 3% model is common, and it's still open to negotiation.
Is GST charged on realtor fees?
Yes. Real estate brokerage is a service, so 5% GST is added to the commission.
Does the buyer pay any commission?
Usually not. The seller's agreement with their brokerage sets the commission and how much of it goes to the buyer's brokerage.
How much commission is paid on a $500,000 home?
Under the 7% and 3% model the commission is $19,000. With GST of $950 the total is $19,950.
A sale with no realtor fee
Russ Buys Houses buys homes directly from owners in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer. There's no commission, and the buyer typically covers the legal costs at closing.
A written offer can happen as early as 24 to 48 hours. The conversation is private, and you're free to say no.
Call 825-462-1777 to talk it through.
This article is general information and is not legal or financial advice.
