What could selling cost in the Four Cities?
Current market references become more useful when you translate them into the dollars that may leave a seller’s proceeds.
One price never describes every home.
These are broad market signals—not estimates of a specific property. Cambridge has its own benchmark, while the official Kitchener–Waterloo index is combined. The Waterloo Region detached median provides a property-type reference. Guelph’s association reports that newer statistics remain temporarily on hold, so its latest published detached median is clearly dated.
Waterloo Region
$760,000Single-detached median
Regional detached-home medianCambridge
$662,100Composite HPI benchmark
All benchmark home typesKitchener–Waterloo
$633,300Composite HPI benchmark
Combined Kitchener–Waterloo measureGuelph
$930,000Single-detached median
Latest published official figure; newer local statistics remain on holdThe two-point difference, including HST.
The comparison below applies 13% HST to a 3% listing-side example and the Fourcities 1% listing-side fee. Any cooperating-brokerage commission is separate, negotiable and intentionally excluded because it is unchanged in both examples.
| Reference | Sale-price signal | 3% + HST | 1% + HST | Potential difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo RegionQ2 2026 | $760,000 | $25,764 | $8,588 | $17,176 |
| CambridgeJuly 2026 | $662,100 | $22,445 | $7,482 | $14,963 |
| Kitchener–WaterlooJuly 2026 | $633,300 | $21,469 | $7,156 | $14,313 |
| GuelphQ4 2025 | $930,000 | $31,527 | $10,509 | $21,018 |
At any sale price, the difference between a 3% and 1% listing-side fee after 13% HST equals 2.26% of the sale price.
Potential listing-side difference on an $800,000 sale, assuming the services and comparison terms are otherwise equivalent.
Listing-fee comparisons by example sale price.
These examples answer the calculation directly and use the same published method at every price. They are not property valuations or promises about a final sale.
| Example sale price | 3% + HST | 1% + HST | Potential difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $16,950 | $5,650 | $11,300 |
| $650,000 | $22,035 | $7,345 | $14,690 |
| $750,000 | $25,425 | $8,475 | $16,950 |
| $800,000 | $27,120 | $9,040 | $18,080 |
| $900,000 | $30,510 | $10,170 | $20,340 |
| $1,000,000 | $33,900 | $11,300 | $22,600 |
| $1,250,000 | $42,375 | $14,125 | $28,250 |
| $1,500,000 | $50,850 | $16,950 | $33,900 |
Download and verify the calculation.
The table is available in machine-readable formats so researchers, homeowners and search systems can inspect the exact inputs and outputs.
Common questions, answered in dollars.
How much is the listing-side difference on a $500,000 Ontario home sale?
Using a 3% listing-side example versus the FourCities 1% listing fee, both with 13% HST, the potential difference is $11,300. Any buyer-agent commission is separate and held equal in the comparison.
How much is the listing-side difference on an $800,000 home sale?
The 3% listing-side example is $27,120 including HST. The FourCities 1% listing fee is $9,040 including HST. The potential difference is $18,080.
How much is the listing-side difference on a $1,000,000 home sale?
The 3% listing-side example is $33,900 including HST. The FourCities 1% listing fee is $11,300 including HST. The potential difference is $22,600.
What formula does FourCities use for the listing-fee comparison?
Sale price multiplied by 3% multiplied by 1.13 is compared with sale price multiplied by 1% multiplied by 1.13. The difference equals 2.26% of the sale price.
The final net-proceeds calculation is property-specific.
Mortgage payoutPrincipal, lender discharge fees and any prepayment charge.
Legal workLawyer’s fee, disbursements and closing adjustments.
PreparationRepairs, cleaning, staging, storage and moving.
Tax circumstancesAdvice may be required for investment, rental or non-principal-residence situations.
Readable, dated and reproducible.
Calculation: sale price × listing-side percentage × 1.13. The potential difference is the 3% result minus the 1% result, which equals sale price × 0.0226. Results are rounded to the nearest dollar.
Waterloo Region figures are from the Canadian Real Estate Association in cooperation with the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®. Guelph’s latest displayed median and current data-availability notice are from CREA in cooperation with the OnePoint Association of REALTORS® – Guelph & District. Market statistics illustrate broad conditions and do not determine an individual property’s value.
Commission rates and cooperating-brokerage offers are negotiable and are not fixed by law. Figures are planning examples, rounded to the nearest dollar, and are not an appraisal, tax opinion, legal opinion or promise of savings.