What It Costs to Sell, and What You Keep
Selling costs in Burlington and Hamilton, line by line, with a calculator for your own numbers
Where your
sale price goes
When you sell, a few costs come off the sale price before the rest reaches you: your agent’s commission plus 13% HST, your lawyer’s fees, and paying off your mortgage, including any penalty for ending it early. Sellers in Ontario don’t pay land transfer tax. That is the buyer’s cost.
The calculator below uses your own numbers. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
What you
would keep
- Commission
- —
- HST on commission (13%)
- —
- Legal fees
- —
- Penalty and discharge
- —
- Other costs
- —
- Total selling costs
- —
- Mortgage balance paid off
- —
Enter a sale price and your commission rate to see the estimate.
An estimate before property tax and utility adjustments, which your lawyer settles on closing day. For a figure based on your actual home, ask Laura or Kristina, or start with a free home evaluation.
Every cost
of selling
| Cost | What to know |
|---|---|
| Real estate commission | Set in your listing agreement and negotiable. There is no standard rate. Ask what is included, such as photography, staging advice and marketing. |
| HST on commission | In Ontario, HST is 13%, charged on top of the commission. |
| Legal fees | A real estate lawyer handles your closing, discharges the mortgage and prepares the statement of adjustments. Most quote a flat fee plus disbursements. |
| Mortgage payout | The balance owing plus any discharge fee. Ending a mortgage before its term is up can bring a prepayment penalty, so ask your lender for a payout statement early. If you are buying another home, ask whether your mortgage can be moved to it. |
| Property tax and utilities | Split on the closing date in the statement of adjustments. If you have prepaid property tax past closing, the buyer credits you for it. |
| Preparation | Repairs, painting, cleaning and staging. Optional, and worth doing only where buyers will notice. |
| Moving and overlap | Movers, and possibly bridge financing or a short rental if your sale and purchase close on different days. |
| Capital gains tax | Usually none on your principal residence. For tax years after 1981 a family unit can designate only one principal residence per year, so a cottage or rental can be different. Read our capital gains guide. |
| If you live outside Canada | Non-resident sellers must notify the CRA and get a certificate of compliance under section 116. Talk to your lawyer early, as it affects closing. |
What the
buyer pays
Ontario land transfer tax is paid by the person acquiring the property, so it is the buyer’s cost. Buyers also usually pay for their own home inspection and any appraisal their lender requires.
Burlington and Hamilton have no municipal land transfer tax, unlike Toronto.
Local factors
that change the math
The biggest local factor is the price you get. In September 2026, homes in both cities sold for about 97% of their list price, according to Cornerstone, so the asking price you start with matters. See the latest figures in our market report.
Property tax rates differ a lot between the two cities, which affects the tax adjustment on closing and what buyers budget for. Compare them in Burlington vs Hamilton.
Ways to keep
more of your sale
Price it right from day one. An overpriced home misses the first weeks of buyer interest and often ends up reducing anyway. Read pricing mistakes to avoid.
Check your mortgage before you list. Ask your lender for a payout statement and whether your mortgage can move to your next home, which can avoid a penalty.
Fix only what buyers notice. Small repairs, paint and cleaning often matter more than big projects.
Know what the commission covers. Ask exactly what marketing, photography and staging help are included before you sign.
Selling costs FAQ
Do sellers pay land transfer tax in Ontario?
No. Ontario land transfer tax is paid by the person who acquires the property, so it is the buyer’s cost.
Is HST charged on real estate commission in Ontario?
Yes. The HST rate in Ontario is 13%, and it applies on top of the commission set in your listing agreement.
Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my home?
Usually not on your principal residence. For tax years after 1981, a family unit can designate only one property as its principal residence for a given year, so a cottage, rental or second home can be different. Confirm your situation with an accountant.
What is a statement of adjustments?
It is the closing document your lawyer prepares that settles costs split by date, such as property tax and some utilities. If you have prepaid property tax beyond the closing date, the buyer credits you for it.
General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Your lawyer, accountant and lender should confirm what applies to you.
Know Your
Number
Get a realistic price range for your home, then let us walk you through what you would keep.
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