If you’re thinking about selling your home in Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview, or Shediac, commission is likely the first cost you’re wondering about. It’s the right question to ask — and the answer is more nuanced than most agents will tell you upfront.
How Real Estate Commission Works in New Brunswick
Real estate commission in Canada is not regulated or standardized. There is no fixed rate set by government or any real estate board — every brokerage and agent sets their own commission structure, and sellers are free to negotiate. That said, there are common structures you’ll encounter in the Moncton market.
Commission is almost always calculated as a percentage of the final sale price and paid out of the proceeds at closing. It is typically split between the listing brokerage (representing the seller) and the buyer’s brokerage (representing the buyer). Both sides are paid by the seller in most transactions.
Typical Commission Rates in Moncton
| Commission Model | Typical Rate | On a $400,000 Sale | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Full-Service | 4–5% total | $16,000–$20,000 + HST | Most common model — split between listing and buyer agent |
| Discount / Limited Service | 1–2% listing fee + buyer agent fee | $8,000–$12,000 + HST | Often reduced service — no staging advice, limited showing support |
| Flat Fee / MLS® Only | $500–$2,000 flat + buyer agent fee | Varies widely | DIY listing — seller handles showings, negotiations, paperwork |
| 3 Percent Realty (Richard Wontorra) | 3% total | $12,000 + HST | Full-service listing + buyer agent co-op included in the 3% |
HST (15% in New Brunswick) applies to commission. On a $12,000 commission, HST adds $1,800 for a total of $13,800. This is consistent across all models and all agents.
Commission Savings Calculator
Use this calculator to see exactly how much you save with Richard’s 3% total commission versus a traditional 5% model at your sale price:
How Much Could You Save?
What Does 3% Total Commission Actually Mean?
At 3 Percent Realty Atlantic Inc., Richard Wontorra charges a 3% total commission on the sale price of your home. That 3% covers everything: the listing side and the co-operating commission paid to the buyer’s agent. There are no additional fees, no hidden costs, and no reduced service.
To put that in concrete terms: on a $400,000 home, the total commission is $12,000 before HST. A traditional 5% model on the same home would cost $20,000 before HST — a difference of $8,000, or $9,200 including HST.
What’s included in Richard’s full-service listing
Is a Lower Commission Worth It? What Sellers Should Watch For
Not all commission structures deliver equal results. Here’s what to evaluate when comparing agents in the Moncton market:
| What to Ask | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Is professional photography included? | Listings with professional photos sell faster and for more. Some discount models charge extra or skip it entirely. |
| What co-op commission goes to the buyer’s agent? | A low listing fee with a below-market co-op rate may deter buyer agents from showing your home. Buyer agents are typically motivated by the co-op commission offered. |
| Will the agent attend showings and negotiate offers directly? | Some flat-fee models leave sellers to handle their own showings and negotiations — a real disadvantage for most sellers. |
| How many homes has the agent sold in your price range and neighbourhood? | Local knowledge drives pricing accuracy and negotiating leverage. An agent who doesn’t know your neighbourhood can’t properly defend your asking price. |
| What’s their average sale-to-list ratio? | An agent who consistently achieves 98–100% of asking price can justify a higher commission — but one who underprices or accepts low offers costs you far more than the commission savings. |
How Commission Has Changed in Canada
Real estate commission in Canada has been under increasing scrutiny and pressure since the early 2020s. The Competition Bureau of Canada investigated MLS® rules and pushed for greater transparency in how commissions are set and disclosed. Sellers today have more options and more leverage to negotiate than they did a decade ago — and agents who charge higher rates face more questions about the value they deliver.
3 Percent Realty was founded specifically to offer full-service representation at a lower total commission — and the model has grown significantly across Atlantic Canada as sellers have become more cost-conscious. Richard Wontorra has operated under this model throughout his career in New Brunswick, bringing full-service representation to sellers who don’t want to choose between quality and cost.
Frequently Asked Questions — Commission in Moncton
Yes — commission rates in Canada are not regulated and are always negotiable. Sellers can and should ask any agent about their commission structure before signing a listing agreement. That said, negotiating a lower rate with an agent who normally charges more is different from working with a brokerage like 3 Percent Realty that has built a lower-commission model into its business from the ground up. The former may result in reduced service; the latter is a structural business model designed to deliver full service at a lower total cost.
In the vast majority of transactions in New Brunswick, yes — the seller pays the total commission, which includes the co-operating fee paid to the buyer’s agent. This is built into the listing agreement and paid out of the sale proceeds at closing. The buyer does not typically pay their own agent directly. Richard’s 3% total commission covers both the listing fee and the buyer’s agent co-op, so there are no additional costs beyond that single rate.
Using Richard’s 3% total commission model: 3% of $400,000 is $12,000, plus 15% HST of $1,800, for a total commission cost of $13,800. Beyond commission, sellers in New Brunswick also typically pay legal fees ($1,000–$1,500), a mortgage discharge fee if applicable ($200–$500), and any pre-listing repairs or staging costs. Total costs of selling typically range from $15,000–$18,000 on a $400,000 home with the 3% commission model — compared to $22,000–$26,000 with a traditional 5% model.
Not with Richard. The 3% model at 3 Percent Realty Atlantic Inc. is a full-service listing — professional photography, full MLS® exposure, showing coordination, offer negotiation, and complete transaction support are all included. The lower commission reflects a deliberate business model, not a reduction in service. Richard has sold 200+ homes across Ontario and New Brunswick under this model and has a 5.00-star rating on RankMyAgent from verified client reviews.
Commission is paid at closing — when the sale completes and funds transfer to the seller. It is deducted from the sale proceeds by the lawyer or notary handling the transaction before the remaining funds are disbursed to the seller. Sellers do not pay commission out of pocket in advance. If a sale does not complete, commission is not owed in most standard listing agreement terms, though sellers should confirm the specific terms with their agent before signing.
See exactly what you’d net with Richard’s 3% commission Book a free, no-obligation home valuation. Richard will walk you through current Moncton market pricing, your estimated net proceeds, and a full selling strategy — with no pressure and no hidden fees.
Get Your Free Home Valuation Call 506-802-8805