Coquitlam Real Estate FAQ · May 2026

Real Estate Q&A · Tri-Cities

How much commission does a Coquitlam realtor charge?

Commission isn't fixed in BC — it's negotiated between you and the realtor at the listing agreement stage. Here's how it actually works.

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Quick Answer

How much commission does a Coquitlam realtor charge?

BC real estate commission is always negotiable and disclosed in writing before you sign. A common Coquitlam structure is 7% on the first $100,000 + 3% on the balance — split between the listing agent (4% / 1.85%) and the buyer Craig Johnston, Top 1% Team in Greater Vancouver REALTORS® 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.

Quick Answer

BC real estate commission is always negotiable and disclosed in writing before you sign. A common Coquitlam structure is 7% on the first $100,000 + 3% on the balance — split between the listing agent (4% / 1.85%) and the buyer's agent (3% / 1.15%). GST (5%) applies to commission. On a $1.5M sale, that's $49,000 + $2,450 GST = $51,450 all-in. Every listing has the opportunity to choose its tier; luxury listings (more demand, higher upfront marketing) sit at the top of the range.

Typical Coquitlam commission structures

A common Coquitlam commission structure, broken down by side:

  • 7% on the first $100,000 + 3% on the balance — total commission
  • Listing agent: 4% on first $100,000 + 1.85% on balance — covers the full marketing pipeline (photo, video, drone, copy, MLS, paid social)
  • Buyer's agent: 3% on first $100,000 + 1.15% on balance — covers the offer-side work (showings, comps, negotiation, conveyancing)
  • Tiered by listing scope. Every seller has the opportunity to choose their tier. Standard listings sit at the published rate; luxury listings (higher upfront marketing, more demand) sit at the top of the range. We agree the structure together before the listing agreement is signed.

GST (5%) applies to commission at sale. Using the 7%/3% structure on a $1.5M sale: 7% × $100,000 = $7,000 + 3% × $1,400,000 = $42,000 → $49,000 commission + $2,450 GST = $51,450 all-in. A flat 5% structure on the same $1.5M sale = $75,000 + $3,750 GST = $78,750, so the tiered structure is actually cheaper at most price points above $1M.

What's included in the commission

Standard inclusion:

  • MLS listing creation + professional photography
  • Pricing analysis and strategy
  • Marketing — broker network outreach, MLS exposure
  • Showing coordination + agent communication
  • Offer presentation and negotiation
  • Documentation through to closing

Premium-service realtors often include: drone/video photography, paid social/Google ad campaigns, staging consultation, professional copywriting, broker-only open houses, daily showing follow-up, and dedicated marketing coordinators. Ask exactly what's included before signing.

Should you negotiate commission?

Yes, but understand the trade-offs:

  • Lower commission can mean less marketing budget. Some lower-fee structures cut photography, video, and paid ads — which often costs sellers more in time-on-market than they saved.
  • Lower commission can mean lower buyer-agent participation. If your offer side commission is below market norms, buyer's agents may show your home less aggressively. This matters in slower markets.
  • Strong realtors are willing to negotiate, but explain what changes. If the answer is just 'lower price, same service,' ask what's actually being cut.

A note from Craig

Watch out for cheap commission rates.

The cheapest rate isn't always the cheapest outcome. Lower-fee listings often show up in ways sellers don't notice until weeks into the listing — and by then the damage is done. Common signals of a sub-market commission:

If a quote feels meaningfully lower than market, ask exactly what's being cut — marketing budget, agent availability, or both. The right question isn't “what's your rate”. It's “what does your rate actually buy me.”

Frequently asked

Quick reference

How much commission does a Coquitlam realtor charge?

BC real estate commission is always negotiable and disclosed in writing before you sign. A common Coquitlam structure is 7% on the first $100,000 + 3% on the balance — split between the listing agent (4% / 1.85%) and the buyer's agent (3% / 1.15%). GST (5%) applies to commission. On a $1.5M sale, that's $49,000 + $2,450 GST = $51,450 all-in. Every listing has the opportunity to choose its tier; luxury listings sit at the top of the range.

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