Some of these are certain and some depend on your situation, so the table separates what you'll almost always pay from what only applies to some sellers.

Ranges are estimates for planning, not quotes. Commission is negotiable, and lawyer and lender fees vary, so get written figures for your own sale.

Real estate commission in Ontario isn't set by law. It's negotiated between you and your brokerage and written into the listing agreement before the home goes on the market. It's normally quoted as a percentage of the sale price, and it's usually split between the brokerage representing you and the brokerage representing the buyer. HST is charged on top of the commission, so a 5% commission actually costs you 5.65% of the sale price.

On a $680,000 sale, every half-point of commission is worth about $3,400, or roughly $3,840 once HST is added. That's why it's worth asking exactly what you get for the fee: pricing strategy, photography, marketing, showings, negotiation and help through closing. A lower percentage isn't a better deal if the marketing and negotiation behind it are thinner.

Here's a house selling for $680,000, close to Ottawa's October 2026 average of $678,512, with $350,000 still owing on the mortgage and a 5% commission. The mortgage balance and fees are examples, so swap in your own.

Before any prepayment penalty, property tax adjustments and moving costs. Commission and HST alone come to $38,420 in this example.

• The mortgage prepayment penalty. If you sell before your term ends and your lender won't let you move the mortgage to your next home, you may owe a penalty. For a variable rate it's commonly three months' interest, and for a fixed rate it's the greater of three months' interest or the interest rate differential, which can be much larger. Ask your lender for an exact figure before you list.
• Pre-sale repairs. Small fixes are cheaper than a buyer's price reduction after the inspection. Our guide on emptying a family home before selling covers the cleanout, asbestos and mould side of this.
• Overlap costs. If you buy before you sell, you could be carrying two sets of property tax, utilities and insurance for a stretch, possibly plus bridge financing.
• Adjustments on closing day. Property tax and utilities are prorated to the closing date, so you may get money back or owe some, depending on what's been prepaid.

For most Ottawa sellers, no. If the home was solely your principal residence for every year you owned it, the gain is generally tax-free under the principal residence exemption. If it wasn't your principal residence for some of those years, for example because part of it was rented out, only part of the gain may be exempt.

There's also a "flipping" rule. A housing unit you owned for less than 365 consecutive days is generally treated as business income rather than a capital gain, with exceptions for certain life events such as a death, a serious illness or an eligible relocation. If you bought recently and are thinking of selling, talk to an accountant first.

• Price it right the first time. Overpriced homes sit, and the eventual price cuts usually cost more than any commission savings. Our post on what your neighbour's sale price really tells you explains why comparable sales matter more than a number you've heard.
• Ask for the commission and marketing plan in writing, and compare what's included, not only the percentage.
• Time your sale. Ottawa's market has a seasonal rhythm, and a longer listing means more carrying costs.
• Spend where buyers notice. Paint, lighting, decluttering and a deep clean tend to pay off more than big renovations. See what home staging is and what it costs.