Anna, Toronto

Hi Anna,

The politically correct way for me to answer the question is that there is no "standard commission rate" as all rates for real estate services are negotiable.  However, as a seller, you typically wouldn't want to list your property and offer less to the cooperating broker that brings in the buyer than what the majority of listings do.  For example, if most listings offer 2.5% and your listing offers 2.0%, it may disadvantage your home from being shown and subsequently sold -- you can argue that it's discrimiation on the Buyer Agent's part, but thats the way the cookie crumbles unfortunately... agents are in the business to make money.

Now on the listing side... well, most listings on the Toronto MLS typically offer 2.5% to the co-operating Buyer broker.  Given that the Listing Agent does all of the advertising, marketing, admin and basically incurs all the costs of selling your home (sometimes with no guarantee that it will actually sell)... isn't it just fair that they make at least what the Buyer broker does if not more? 

Long story short, commissions are negotiable.... and when choosing a listing agent, keep in mind... if the agent can't even negotiate their own commission with you the seller, how well do you think they'll be able to negotiate on the price and terms for your home?

My thoughts exactly.

Jo =)