November 24, 2025 | Selling
What is the Cost of Selling a House in Ontario?
Are you thinking about selling but also want to have an idea of how much this will cost you? Then you have come to the right place. In this blog post, we are breaking down the common costs associated with selling a house so that you know what to expect. We will break down commissions, how much closing costs typically are, lawyer fees and other expenses which differ depending on the services offered by the agency.
Closing your home is an exciting time! However, without the right preparation and knowledge, the process of closing can be more expensive than a homeowner anticipates. Here are some of the common expenses:
Real Estate Lawyer Fees
Lawyers are an inevitable part of your real estate transaction because they oversee the legal due diligence and ensure the sale is ethical and completed with care. Picking the right Lawyer is a key pathway to success. Strong Lawyers are often reputable in the community, provided as references from real estate professionals and work for a company in which they have a reliable back-end system.
Ultimately, the cost of a Lawyer depends on the intricacies of the transaction. In Ontario, you can expect fees ranging from $1,000-$3,000, depending on your geographic location. However, other lawyers prefer charging by the hour, particularly for complex transactions. The general rule for Lawyers is… the more complex the sale… the more it will cost. Common increases in cost are associated with title disputes, estate sales and deals involving multiple owners.
If you are selling or have just sold your home and are currently trying to find a Lawyer, we are happy to provide you with our recommendations for of the best and most reliable Lawyers in the area.
Planning on selling your house? Explore these related blog posts for more advice!
- Checklist for Selling a House in 2025
- How to Choose a Realtor When Selling
- Do Open Houses Sell Homes?
What Does Home Staging Cost?
Another common expense when selling a home is staging. Staging can cost anywhere from $700-$3000 on average, and it all depends on the amount of staging required. In many cases, the staging team is able to work with the pre-existing furniture and add in a few decorative items to replace dated/ specific pieces.
At Capstone, when staging is needed, it is paid for by your agent. We do this because it allows our clients to get the most out of their home.
Realtor Fees in Ontario
Commission structures will vary depending on the average commission for that area and the price range for the transaction. The average commission for Guelph/Centre Wellington is 2.5% split. This means 2.5% is paid out to the listing agent and 2.5% is paid out to the buying agent. In Kitchener-Waterloo and Elora, the commission is 4%– 2% to the listing agent and 2% to the buying agent.
Commission is the remuneration structure by which your real estate agent is paid out for the sale and all of the back-end work, marketing and time put into listing and selling your property. In many cases, real estate agents will include specific service costs in the sale, offering to pay for marketing, cleaning and or staging.
If you choose not to hire an agent, you can also expect marketing costs for your home. Common expenses include website features, Facebook ads, Instagram ads and listing features on secondary websites.
Moving Company Costs
Physically moving is also an expenditure. From moving trucks to packing and supplies, there are various costs depending on the size and distance of your move. If you choose to hire a moving company, you are paying for time and labour. In Guelph, the common cost of hiring movers to assist in the move from a 3-bedroom home can range from $1,000-$2,000+.
While hiring a moving company adds on another cost, we highly recommend moving with professional help. They will ensure the truck is packed properly, delicate items are protected, such as mattresses, artwork and decorative pieces.
We recommend finding a moving company in advance, particularly if you are planning on moving at the beginning or end of a month (as these are common closing dates for real estate transactions).
Potential Costs to Take Into Account For Closing
There are many other unpredictable costs associated with selling, and these factors are considered close to or after the closing date. Mortgage and discharge fees will vary but are commonly paid out when a home is sold. If your home is not paid off, the remaining mortgage on that property may come with a discharge fee before you are able to put a mortgage on a new home.
Another common expense is the appraisal cost. Even if you choose not to work with a Realtor, you may want to hire an appraiser to provide an opinion of value for your home. This option is particularly important for those who are seeking to sell their home themselves because it creates a starting point.
Want to sell your house for top dollar? Find more helpful advice in these blogs!
- Tips for Showing Your House While Living in it
- Should You Buy or Sell First?
- Is Your Home Priced to Sell?
Sneaky Costs When Selling a House
Buyer closing costs can also change depending on the agreement of purchase and sale. For instance, if the home is conditionally sold with a home inspection condition and the home inspector finds a significant issue impacting the value of the home, the new buyers have some options. The first one, is asking the seller to pay for the fixes needed to reflect the current purchase price. Another option is having a price reduction signed off on to take into account the new condition of the home.
These selling costs/ closing costs are not something that sellers can anticipate. However, you can prevent damage and issues from being uncovered by ensuring you work with qualified contractors throughout your time owning the home. If you are looking to sell your home but want to complete repairs and renovations first, we would love to recommend some of our favourite, trusted local contractors.
Budgeting For Your Move
All in all, closing costs will vary depending on the circumstances and the size of the transaction. The larger the transaction, the higher the costs. We have gone over a few of the unexpected costs, such as the price of staging, mortgage costs, moving/packing costs, as well as commission splits.
With all of this information, you can make an informed decision about selling your home and will be prepared/overprepared for the costs that could be associated with your home.
Ready to sell? We can help! Reach us by email at info@capstonereps.com or call 519.824.9050.
Ready to Get Started?
Thinking about buying or selling a home in Guelph or Wellington County? Start the conversation with our team today.
