What Changed in BC Real Estate Commissions for 2026

How much does a realtor cost in BC?

There is no set rate in British Columbia. Commission is agreed in writing between you and your brokerage. That said, the tiered structure above is what you will see most often. On a $1,000,000 sale, 7 percent on the first $100,000 is $7,000, and 3 percent on the remaining $900,000 is $27,000, for a total of $34,000 before GST. Add 5 percent GST and the seller's cost is $35,700, or about 3.6 percent of the sale price all in.

That total is shared. Roughly half typically goes to the brokerage that brought the buyer. So the agent who lists your home is not pocketing $34,000. After the split, the brokerage fee and expenses, the listing agent's share on a sale like that is a fraction of the headline number. I mention this because sellers deserve to understand the whole chain, not just the line on the contract.

If you want to run your own numbers, my BC commission calculator does the tiered math and the GST for any price.

Who pays the commission?

In almost every residential sale in BC, the seller pays. The commission comes out of the sale proceeds on completion, and the buyer's agent is paid from that amount through the listing brokerage. Buyers rarely write a separate cheque for their own agent. There are exceptions, for example when a listing offers a very low cooperating commission and the buyer has agreed in writing to cover the difference, but they are not the norm here.

Buyers should still read their representation agreement carefully, because it is a contract, and it tells you exactly how your agent gets paid and what happens if the seller is offering less than the amount you agreed to.

What actually changed

Three things are genuinely different from a few years ago, and all three come from the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA), which regulates real estate licensees in the province.

Written agreements before service. Since 2023, a licensee has to have a written service agreement with you before acting for you, whether you are buying or selling. Your agent cannot just start showing you houses on a handshake. The agreement sets out the services, the term, and how the agent is paid.

Disclosure of remuneration. Your agent has to disclose in writing what they expect to be paid and by whom, before you commit. If the buyer's agent is going to be paid by the seller's side, you see that in writing.

No dual agency. BC banned one agent representing both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction back in 2018, with narrow exceptions for remote communities. This still catches people off guard. If you call the listing agent about their own listing, they cannot represent you as a buyer. They can only treat you as an unrepresented party, and they will give you a form saying exactly that.

None of these rules set the commission. They make sure you know what it is, in writing, before you are committed.

What your commission is paying for

A real listing, done properly, is a lot of work and a lot of up-front cost. Professional photography and video, floor plans, staging advice, the MLS listing and syndication to every portal, paid social campaigns, print for the open houses, and then the part people underrate: the pricing analysis before launch and the negotiation after the offers come in. On a $1.2 million South Surrey home, a two percent pricing mistake is $24,000. That is the job.

Then there is the compliance side. Contract preparation, disclosures, the Home Buyer Rescission Period, subject removal, and keeping lawyers, inspectors and lenders moving on the same timeline. When it is done well it looks easy. It is not.

How to negotiate the fee

• Interview two or three agents and ask each one to put the full marketing plan and fee in writing. Compare the plans, not just the percentages.
• Ask what the buyer's side is being offered. Cutting the cooperating commission too far can quietly reduce the number of agents who show your home.
• Ask about the tiers. Some agents will move the percentage on the balance, especially on higher-priced homes.
• Buying and selling together? Say so. Many of us will adjust when we are handling both sides of your move.
• Understand what a discount removes. A lower fee that skips professional photography or staging usually costs more at the offer stage than it saves.

The short version

• Commission in BC is negotiable. The common structure is 7 percent on the first $100,000 and 2.5 to 3.5 percent on the rest, plus GST.
• The seller pays, from the proceeds, and the buyer's agent is paid out of that amount.
• What changed: written agreements before service, written disclosure of pay, and no dual agency. The rate itself did not change.
• Negotiate the plan, not just the number.

If you are thinking about selling in White Rock or South Surrey, I will show you the fee, the plan and the likely net proceeds on one page before you sign anything. No pressure, and no surprises on completion day.