Craig Johnston Personal Real Estate Corporation · Brokerage: Royal LePage Elite West
In the Greater Vancouver market, one commission structure often quoted in Coquitlam is 7% on the first $100,000 and 3% on the balance — for example split between the listing agent (4% / 1.85%) and the co-operating buyer's agent (3% / 1.15%). Commission is negotiable, disclosed in writing before you sign, and subject to 5% GST. Every listing has the opportunity to choose its tier — luxury listings, with higher upfront marketing and demand, sit at the top of the range. This page breaks down exactly what you pay, who gets what, and the levers you can negotiate.
Every number below reflects the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) disclosure rules, the Real Estate Services Rules, and the standard Greater Vancouver REALTORS® listing agreement template. Nothing here is industry mystery — it's the math printed on the Working With a REALTOR form every client signs.
Quick Answer
What do Coquitlam REALTORS® charge in commission?
In the Greater Vancouver market, one structure often quoted in Coquitlam is 7% on the first $100,000 and 3% on the balance — for example split between the listing agent (4% / 1.85%) and the buyer Craig Johnston, Top 1% Team — Greater Vancouver REALTORS®, 2023–2025 and 47+ year Tri-Cities resident, can walk you through the local context. Free Strategy Call ends with a written one-page plan in 24 hours.
One structure often quoted in Coquitlam is 7% on the first $100,000 of sale price and 3% on the balance — for example split between the listing agent (4% / 1.85%) and the buyer's agent (3% / 1.15%). On a $1,200,000 home, that is $7,000 plus $33,000 equals $40,000 — then 5% GST on commission adds $2,000, for a total of $42,000. The co-operating commission (paid to the buyer's agent) is disclosed on MLS when the home is listed, and every listing has the opportunity to choose its tier — luxury listings with heavier upfront marketing sit at the top of the range.
Every figure on this page is drawn from primary BC and federal sources listed below. For a live, government-maintained version of each rule, click through — the internet can drift, the official source is always authoritative.
| Sale price | Commission (7% / 3%) | GST (5%) | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $700,000 | $25,000 | $1,250 | $26,250 |
| $900,000 | $31,000 | $1,550 | $32,550 |
| $1,100,000 | $37,000 | $1,850 | $38,850 |
| $1,400,000 | $46,000 | $2,300 | $48,300 |
| $1,800,000 | $58,000 | $2,900 | $60,900 |
| $2,400,000 | $76,000 | $3,800 | $79,800 |
Watch out for cheap commission rates. The signal usually shows up not at the listing-agreement table, but weeks later — lockbox-only showings, slow email responses, no real pricing strategy. A listing agent who drops a point but doesn't pay for professional photos, staging consultation, MLS video, and a three-week offer-date campaign can cost you more than the 'savings' in final sale price. The right question isn't 'what's your rate' — it's 'what does your rate actually buy me.'
— Craig Johnston, REALTOR® · Royal LePage Elite West · Burke Mountain resident
Whether you're a first-time buyer trying to master the rules or a move-up family planning your next step, a 20-minute strategy call maps out exactly what applies to your situation.
Yes. BC's Real Estate Services Rules require commission to be disclosed and agreed in writing on the listing agreement before any representation begins. There is no regulated rate — brokerages set their own.
In a standard MLS transaction, the seller pays both sides of the commission, and the co-operating commission offered to the buyer's agent is published on MLS at listing. Some buyer-agency agreements let the buyer pay their agent directly if a seller declines to offer co-op.
Commission itself does not include GST. 5% GST is added on top and is fully payable by the seller on closing. There is no rebate for private-residence sales.
On a 7%/3% Coquitlam listing, one common split is 4% / 1.85% to the listing agent (covers the full marketing pipeline) and 3% / 1.15% to the buyer's agent (covers showings, comps, negotiation, conveyancing). Splits are always negotiable and disclosed in writing before you sign.
Sometimes, yes — but the math depends on whether the lower fee is offset by a weaker marketing package, slower response time, or fewer showings. On a $1.2M home, 1% in fee savings equals $12,000. The question is whether the home sells for $12,001 more with full service.
Using a 7% / 3% structure: on a detached home in the $1.6M–$2.4M range, total commission (both sides, including GST) lands between $54,000 and $80,000. Condos in the $600K–$900K range run about $23,000–$33,000 total including GST. Every listing has the opportunity to choose its tier — luxury listings sit at the top of the range.
Yes — this is called FSBO (For Sale By Owner). You still need a BC lawyer for conveyancing, you won't have direct MLS access (you'd use a mere-posting service), and you negotiate directly with buyers and their agents. For-sale-by-owner is relatively rare in competitive markets.
Commission is not deductible against personal income, but it reduces the capital gain on a non-principal-residence sale. On your primary residence, the sale is usually tax-exempt, so deductibility is moot.
In the standard MLS transaction, no — the seller pays the co-op commission offered at listing. On off-market or builder-direct purchases, buyer-paid commission is more common and is spelled out in the Buyer's Agency Agreement.
Commission is only earned and paid when the deal completes on closing day. If subjects are not removed and the deal collapses, no commission is owed under the standard BC listing agreement.
BCFSA-licensed REALTOR® (V99960). 9+ year Burke Mountain resident. Top 2% Team — Royal LePage nationwide, 2023–2025. Specialist in Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam transactions across resale, new construction, and strata. The same rules above apply on every single deal — the difference is having someone who's done them hundreds of times in your corner.
Tri-Cities monthly
September 2026 Coquitlam detached HPI is $1,584,400, -6.6% YoY. What that means for your buy or sell decision — without the salesy fluff. One email per month. Unsubscribe anytime.
No spam, no listings flood, no marketing automation games. Genuine monthly update from a 47+ year Tri-Cities resident.
4.9 stars across 36+ verified Google reviews. Three from recent clients below.
“Craig was an absolute pleasure to work with. He is extremely friendly, highly knowledgeable, and constantly monitors trends and data so we could make informed decisions. The more time we spent interacting with other agents during our home-buying process, the more pleased we were with choosing Craig.”Ashley K.
“As first-time home buyers, we had a myriad of concerns. Craig immediately put us at ease by taking the time to address each of our questions thoroughly and patiently. At no point did I feel pressured or rushed into making a decision. Instead, Craig empowered us with all the facts and options.”Jeff Kwok
“We had such a great experience working with Craig to buy our home! He was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and always available whenever we needed him. He made us feel supported throughout the entire process and was always willing to answer our questions and take the time to make sure we felt comfortable and confident in our decisions. We never felt pressured or rushed.”Sara Devine