Thinking of selling your home in Québec? Before you list, it’s crucial to know the real costs involved. This will help you decide at what price you are willing to accept and how much you need to budget to sell your house in Quebec. In this guide, we’ll break down:
- How much does it cost to sell a house
- Who you’ll need to pay, and why
- Do I need a broker to sell my house in Quebec?
- Other possible selling costs
How much does it cost to sell a house
On average, you should expect to pay roughly 5% – 7% of the price of your home in a sale. The table below provides examples of the cost of selling a house.
| Sale Price | 5% Costs | 5.5% Costs | 6% Costs | 7% Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $17,500 | $19,250 | $21,000 | $24,500 |
| $400,000 | $20,000 | $22,000 | $24,000 | $28,000 |
| $500,000 | $25,000 | $27,500 | $30,000 | $35,000 |
| $750,000 | $37,500 | $41,250 | $45,000 | $52,500 |
In Quebec (and Canada more broadly), the biggest cost by far is the realtor’s commission at around 4 – 5% of the selling price. However, there are also other fees such as notary, inspection, certificate of location, etc. that are usually much smaller and fixed rather than percentage-based. These other costs normally account for 1 – 2% of the selling costs.
The table below breaks down examples of what this can look like for properties selling at different prices.
| Sale Price | Realtor’s Commission (5–7%) | Other Costs (1–2%) | Total Costs (6–9%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $17,500 – $24,500 | $3,500 – $7,000 | $21,000 – $31,500 |
| $400,000 | $20,000 – $28,000 | $4,000 – $8,000 | $24,000 – $36,000 |
| $500,000 | $25,000 – $35,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 | $30,000 – $45,000 |
| $750,000 | $37,500 – $52,500 | $7,500 – $15,000 | $45,000 – $67,500 |
What are the most common types of seller closing costs?
Most sellers budget for the big, obvious costs. Below are the most common costs of selling:
- Realtor commissions
- Minor repairs and renovations
- Certificate of location
- Inspection fee
- Notary fees
- Prepayment penalty and other mortgage fees
- Moving costs
- Taxes
Realtor commissions (Average cost: it depends)
By far the largest cost when selling a home is the realtors commission. The commission that you pay will depend on two things: the final purchase price of your home and the agreed commission rate.
In Quebec real estate, the seller pays the commission to their selling agent. The agent will split this with the buyer’s agent. Normally, the selling agent will charge 4% – 5% and split this 50/50 with the buyer’s agent.
The listing agent includes a list of their fees and how they will split their fee with the buyer’s agent in your brokerage contract. The agent will also include a list of their services in the brokerage contract such as how they will market your property, if they will run an open house and so on. Services vary from realtor to realtor, as do realtor fees.
Minor repairs and renovations (Average cost: it depends)
Minor repairs and renovations can add significant value to your property by making it more appealing to buyers. The investment doesn’t need to be large but it should be well targeted. The highest-value upgrades are usually found in areas buyers focus on most, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and master bedrooms.
That said, it’s always best to check with your real estate agent before spending money. They can advise you on whether improvements are necessary, and if so, where your money will have the biggest impact.
Certificate of location (Average cost: $1,200 – $1,800)
The certificate of location is a mandatory document required to close a real estate transaction in Quebec. If you do not include it in the listing, many buyers’ agents will assume the deal could become complicated and may fall through. For this reason, a buyers agent may steer clients away from your property.
The best selling agents make sure this document is up to date before the listing goes live, so that buyers’ agents can feel confident the transaction will close smoothly.
In Quebec, the certificate of location is prepared by a Quebec-Land-Surveyor who must be a member in “good standing order” of the Ordre des Arpenteurs-Geometres du Quebec” (OAGQ). Typically the cost of a new certificate of location is around $1,500, though the price can vary depending on the size of the property and the surveyor’s workload. Keep in mind that a certificate is only valid for about 10 years if yours is older, you’ll likely need to order a new one.
Inspection fee (Average cost: $750 – $1000)
A pre-listing inspection is a professional inspection conducted before a property is listed for sale. Its purpose is to identify potential issues and defects in advance. Sellers do this for several reasons.
First, the Civil Code of Quebec states that sellers are responsible for latent defects that exist at the time of sale, even if those defects are discovered after the transaction has closed. This means you can sell your home and then, 2 years later, get an invoice for a $20,000 fix to the foundation of your old home for an issue that you did not know about at the time of sale. A pre-listing inspection helps to identify hidden issues before listing, this can allow you to either repair the issue or disclose the problem to buyers and factor this into your list price.
Second, a property inspection also helps sellers plan renovations and repairs strategically, so as to ensure the property is presented in the best possible light. It can even save wasted costs, for example, spending money on staging or photography, only to have a deal collapse because of hidden defects. Finally, if a buyer later chooses to waive their right to their pre-purchase inspection, a pre-listing inspection further reduces the likelihood of future disputes or legal claims after the house has been sold.
Notary fees (Average cost: $1,500 – $3,000)
In Quebec real estate transactions the buyer will normally pay for the notary to finalize the transaction. However, sellers sometimes incur notary fees as well. For example a seller may need to pay a notary to correct property titles, discharge a mortgage, or clear up encumbrances on the property.
Prepayment penalty and other mortgage fees (Average cost: it depends)
A prepayment penalty is the amount that your bank (the lender) will charge you if you choose to sell before the end of your mortgage term.
The penalty and the cost are specific to your situation. The best way to find out what the exact amount is, is to contact your mortgage advisor, who will be able to inform and advise you.
However, it may also be possible to avoid paying these penalties by transferring your mortgage, including the agreed interest rate and other terms and conditions, to a new property. This option has many advantages, but it is of course only possible if you plan to buy and sell a property at the same time. When you contact your mortgage advisor about the pre-payment penalty, you should ask your mortgage advisor about this at the same time.
Moving costs (Average cost: $750 – $1,500)
Selling your house inevitably involves moving and the expenses that go along with that. This means boxes or containers, a van for large items like sofas and people to help. Hiring professional movers can be great (especially for families with small children) since they can lower the stress of the move and provide basic insurance against your belongings.
You can find professional movers on platforms like MovingWaldo, Yelp, or even Kijiji. These platforms make it quick and easy to compare quotes from several different movers.
Taxes on the sale of your home (Average cost: it depends)
Under Canadian federal tax law, when you sell a property, there may be a capital gain.
This means the difference between what you sell your house for and your adjusted cost base (what you paid for the property plus qualifying improvements, minus any costs.
CapitalGain= SalePrice – AdjustedCostBase – SellingExpenses
For example, let’s say you sell a house at $500,000, and your adjusted cost base (purchase price + qualifying improvements) was $350,000, and you had $10,000 in selling expenses (e.g. realtor and legal fees).
Your capital gain would be:
$500,000 – $350,000 – $10,000 = $140,000.
Only 50% of your capital gain is “taxable”, unless exceptions apply. This means that if the property qualifies as your principal (primary) residence, for every year you owned it, you often don’t have to pay tax on the gain at all. This is thanks to the principal residence exemption under federal law.
For residential resale properties (i.e. used homes), the sale is generally exempt from GST and QST in Quebec, so buyers or sellers don’t pay these federal/provincial sales taxes again. However, new residential properties (new builds) may attract GST (5%) and QST (≈ 9.975%) unless certain rebates or exemptions apply.
If you are a non-resident for tax purposes and you sell Canadian real estate, tax authorities may require withholding from the sale proceeds (e.g. up to 35 % of the sales price) unless you apply for a certificate of compliance under section 116 of the Income Tax Act.
Quebec may also impose a provincial withholding or instalment on the capital gain for example, 12.875 % of the gain for the Quebec portion in many cases.
Other possible selling costs
As you know, there are many other costs associated with selling a property. These include:
Home staging & photography
Some selling realtors will pay for homes to be staged. They will also pay to have the property professionally photographed. This is more common in competitive markets or for high value homes. Others may cover only consultation while the actual furniture rental and setup costs are billed to the seller. Full professional staging can run anywhere from $2,000–$5,000+ depending on the property size and length of time staged, so not all agents absorb this cost.
It is much more common for agents to pay for high-quality listing photos, and often 3D tours or drone shots, are considered standard marketing expenses and usually come out of the agent’s commission.
Learn how to negotiate your listing agreement with your broker.
Concessions during negotiations
During the negotiation with your buyers, it is almost inevitable that some concessions will need to be made. This could be on the listing price, but it might also be on household appliances, for example, the buyer may ask to keep your fridge, stove and washer / dryer unit. They may also ask you to pay part of the notary fees, upcoming special assessments (on condominiums), for completing specific repairs or changing the date when the buyer will take possession.
The cost of making concessions during negotiations when selling your house is very situational dependent.
Appraisal fees
An home appraisal is an independent evaluation of your home’s fair market value, usually carried out by a licensed appraiser. A buyer’s lender will often request appraisals as part of their mortgage approval process, sellers may also choose to commission one before listing.
For sellers, an appraisal can provide a benchmark for pricing your property, strengthen the negotiation position if buyers challenge the asking price and help resolve disputes if financing issues arise during the closing.
The typical cost for a professional appraisal in Quebec ranges from $400 to $700, depending on the size and type of property.
Specialized tests
In Quebec real estate, specialised tests are extra inspections that go beyond a standard home inspection. They’re usually recommended when there are signs of a specific issue or when the buyer (or sometimes the lender) wants additional assurance about part of the property.
Examples of specialised tests can include things like pyrite, radon, water quality, or asbestos. Costs vary from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 depending on the test. While not always required, the results can significantly impact negotiations.
These tests matter, because they can make or break a sale. For instance, if a test reveals a problem, the buyer may walk away or negotiate a lower price. Sellers sometimes choose to do these tests proactively to avoid surprises during the transaction.
Clean and depersonalization
One of the most overlooked selling costs is simply making your home look its best before buyers walk through the door. A thorough deep clean can transform the feel of a property, making it brighter, fresher, and far more inviting. Many sellers choose to hire professional cleaners to tackle the heavy lifting, from carpets and windows to kitchens and bathrooms. While the cost can range from a few hundred dollars upwards depending on the size of the home, it often pays for itself by creating a strong first impression.
Depersonalization is just as important. Buyers want to imagine themselves living in the space, and that can be hard to do if the walls are filled with family photos or if bold décor choices dominate the rooms. Neutral paint, tidy storage, and the removal of overly personal items can make the home feel more universal and move-in ready. Though these steps might seem small, they often have a powerful effect on how quickly a property sells and the offers it attracts.
Do I need a broker to sell my house in Quebec?
No, you do not technically need to hire a broker to sell your house in Quebec. However, you will need access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to properly market your property. Only licensed real estate brokers can access the MLS directly, but flat-fee MLS service companies can list your property on your behalf for a one-time fee, which is typically much lower than the commission charged by a traditional broker.
All that being said, using a professional is highly recommended. Selling a home is a complex legal and financial transaction, and without experience, you risk making costly mistakes during pricing, negotiations, disclosures, or closing.
Final remarks
Selling a home in Quebec comes with more than just realtor commissions and the hidden or unexpected costs can quickly add up. Preparing in advance is the best way to protect yourself from surprises that could disrupt your financial plans.
On average, you should expect to spend 5% to 7% of your home’s selling price on total closing costs. Factoring this into your planning can mean the difference between moving smoothly into your next financial opportunity or falling short of your goals.
