What it really costs to list on MLS® in Ontario
Two ways onto the same MLS® system: a percentage of your home, or $549 + HST. Here are the real numbers.
Commission vs. flat fee, side by side
| Home price | 2.5% listing side | 5% total commission | Flat-fee listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $12,500 | $25,000 | $549 |
| $700,000 | $17,500 | $35,000 | $549 |
| $1,000,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 | $549 |
Commission figures are illustrative at commonly quoted rates; commissions are always negotiable and vary. Flat fee + HST. Buyer-agent compensation, if you choose to offer any, is separate under either model.
Every price on our rate card
Selling
- Virtual MLS® Listing (12-month term) — $549
- MLS® Interboard Listing Upgrade — $199
- Professional CMA (pricing analysis) — $199
- Offer Handling + Compliance — $399
- DirectConnect™ QR yard sign — $89
Renting
- MLS® Rental Listing — Basic — $549
- Premium MLS® Rental Listing — $749
- Tenant screening included on rental plans
All prices + HST.
Cost questions, answered
What is the cheapest way to list on MLS in Ontario?
A flat-fee ("mere posting") MLS® listing through a licensed brokerage. Ours is $549 + HST for a 12-month term including REALTOR.ca syndication and up to 40 photos. There is no cheaper compliant route — MLS® access requires a licensed brokerage.
Are there hidden fees on a flat-fee listing?
No. The $549 + HST covers the MLS® listing for 12 months, including changes. Add-ons are optional and flat-priced: MLS® Interboard Listing Upgrade $199, professional CMA $199, Offer Handling + Compliance $399, DirectConnect™ QR yard sign $89 — all + HST.
Do I still need to budget for a buyer's agent?
Only if you choose to offer buyer-agent compensation. It's set by you when the listing is created. Many sellers offer one to attract represented buyers; it's paid only on a completed sale.
What about lawyer fees?
Every Ontario sale — agent-listed or flat-fee — closes through a real estate lawyer, typically $1,000–$2,000. That cost is the same either way; the saving is the listing commission.
Is the fee refundable if my home doesn't sell?
The flat fee buys the listing service itself — 12 months of MLS® and REALTOR.ca exposure — rather than a contingency on sale. That's why it's a fraction of a commission.