Fixed fee vs. a lower percentage
A discount brokerage still charges a slice of your sale price — just a smaller one. A flat fee is a fixed dollar amount from $549 + HST that doesn't grow with your home's value.
| Flat fee | Discount brokerage | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Fixed flat fee | A percentage (often reduced) |
| What you pay as price rises | Stays the same | Rises with the price |
| On the MLS® system & REALTOR.ca | Yes | Yes |
| You keep control of showings | Yes | Sometimes |
| Predictable at any price | Yes | No — it's a % of the sale |
| Optional pro services | Add only what you want | Bundled into the % |
Last reviewed: September 2026. "Discount brokerage" describes a pricing model, not any one company.
Flat-fee vs. discount — common questions
What's a discount brokerage?
A discount or "commission rebate" brokerage still charges a percentage of your sale price — just a lower percentage than a traditional 5% model, or a partial rebate. It is cheaper than full commission, but it is still tied to your price: the more your home is worth, the more you pay.
How is flat-fee different?
A flat fee is a fixed dollar amount for the MLS® listing, no matter what your home sells for. On a higher-priced home the gap between a fixed fee and a percentage — even a reduced one — grows quickly. You pay for the listing, not a slice of your equity.
Do I get less service?
You get the same MLS® and REALTOR.ca exposure. What differs is that flat-fee is unbundled: you add services (Offer-to-Closing Support, a DirectConnect™ QR Yard Sign, AI Virtual Staging, an MLS® Interboard Listing Upgrade) only if you want them — or choose the Ultimate Money-Back Guarantee Package — instead of paying for a bundle inside a percentage.
When would a percentage make sense?
If you want a full-service agent to run the entire sale for you and are comfortable paying a percentage for it. If you want to keep control and keep more of your equity, a fixed fee is the more predictable choice.
Pay for the listing — not a slice of your equity.
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