What does it cost to sell a house in Vancouver?
Selling a home in Vancouver involves a listing fee or commission, a survey certificate ($500 to $1,200 if required), legal fees ($1,500 to $2,000), and moving costs ($500 to $3,000). With Bōde’s 1% option, total selling costs on an $900,000 Vancouver home run approximately $12,000 to $15,000. With a traditional agent at 3 to 5% total commission, the same home costs $27,000 to $45,000 in commission alone.
1 Five Cost Categories
What Vancouver sellers actually pay
Listing fee or commission (largest variable)
With a traditional agent, commission typically runs 3 to 5% of the sale price. With Bōde, you pay $949 flat plus GST at listing, or 1% capped at $10,000 plus GST at closing. On a $900,000 home, that is $27,000 versus $9,000. Photography is included with Bōde.
Survey certificate ($500 to $1,200 if required)
For most detached homes in BC, a survey certificate is required. Your lawyer advises whether your existing certificate is current and acceptable. If not, a new one takes two to four weeks. This cost is the same regardless of how you sell.
Legal fees ($1,500 to $2,000)
A real estate lawyer is required for every BC residential transaction. They handle the title transfer, mortgage discharge, and fund distribution. Legal fees are paid directly to your lawyer, not to Bōde. Bōde’s Pro Marketplace connects sellers with vetted BC real estate lawyers.
Photography (included with Bōde)
Professional photography is included with every Bōde listing. With a traditional agent, photography is sometimes included and sometimes billed separately ($300 to $600). In Vancouver’s competitive market, professional photography is not optional.
Moving costs ($500 to $3,000)
Moving costs depend on volume, distance, and service level. These are the same regardless of how you sell.
2 Cost Comparison at $900,000
Bōde vs traditional on a typical Vancouver home
Cost item
Bōde (1% option)
Traditional agent (4%)
Listing fee
$9,000 + GST
$36,000
Buyer agent fee
Set by you
Bundled in commission
Photography
Included
$300 to $600 (sometimes included)
Survey certificate
$500 to $1,200
$500 to $1,200 (same)
Legal fees
$1,500 to $2,000
$1,500 to $2,000 (same)
Estimated total
$12,000 to $14,000 + GST
$38,300 to $40,600
Cost figures in this post are estimates for a typical Vancouver-area residential transaction in 2026. Actual costs vary by property, transaction complexity, lawyer, and service provider. Obtain quotes from relevant professionals before listing.
Common Questions
What is the average commission to sell a house in Vancouver?
Traditional real estate commissions in BC typically total 3 to 5% of the sale price, split between listing and buyer agents. On a $900,000 home, that is $27,000 to $45,000. Bōde’s 1% option on the same home is $9,000 plus GST.
Do I need a survey certificate to sell in Vancouver?
For most detached homes in BC, yes. A survey certificate confirms the property boundaries and structures. Your lawyer advises whether your existing certificate is current. If any improvements have been made since the last survey, an updated certificate is typically required.
Are legal fees the same regardless of how I sell?
Yes. Legal fees are a fixed cost of the transaction. You always need a real estate lawyer in BC regardless of whether you sell with an agent or through a platform like Bōde.
Does Bōde operate in Vancouver and BC?
Yes. Bōde is a licensed real estate brokerage operating in Alberta, BC, and Ontario. Sellers in Vancouver and across BC can list through Bōde’s platform.
What does the buyer agent fee cost in Vancouver?
You set the buyer agent fee when you create your listing on Bōde. Most BC buyers work with a buyer agent. The fee you offer is displayed to buyer agents before they book a showing. It is separate from Bōde’s listing fee and factored into your net proceeds.