Alberta Homeowners · Sell Without an Agent
The total cost of selling a home in Alberta depends on several factors, but the largest variable by far is your listing approach. This post breaks down every cost category, shows what you pay regardless of how you sell, and compares outcomes at a typical sale price.
What are the total costs of selling a house in Alberta?
The main selling costs in Alberta are your listing fee or commission, a Real Property Report ($500 to $1,500), legal fees ($1,500 to $2,500), and moving costs ($500 to $3,000). Photography and RMS measurements are included with Bode listings and sometimes billed separately by agents ($300 to $600 each). The biggest cost difference comes from your listing approach: 3 to 5% total commission with a traditional agent versus $949 flat or 1% capped at $10,000 with Bode.
01 The Five Cost Categories
Selling costs fall into two groups: fixed costs that are the same regardless of how you sell, and variable costs that change based on your approach. Understanding the difference tells you where real savings are possible.
Listing fee or commission (largest variable)
The commission or listing fee is where sellers have the most control. A traditional agent typically charges 3 to 5% of the sale price in total commission, split between listing and buyer agents. Bōde charges $949 flat plus GST at listing, or 1% capped at $10,000 plus GST at closing. On a $700,000 home, that difference is more than $20,000.
Real Property Report ($500 to $1,500)
A Real Property Report (RPR) is required for most residential sales in Alberta. It confirms the boundaries and improvements on your property and is prepared by a licensed Alberta land surveyor. This cost is the same regardless of how you sell. Order it early. The RPR is the most common cause of closing delays in Alberta transactions. Your lawyer advises on whether your existing RPR is current.
Legal fees ($1,500 to $2,500)
A real estate lawyer is required to complete the transaction in Alberta. They handle the Transfer of Land, mortgage discharge, fund management, and title registration. Legal fees are paid directly to your lawyer, not to Bode or your listing platform. Bōde’s Pro Marketplace connects sellers with vetted real estate lawyers in Alberta.
Photography and RMS measurements ($0 to $600)
Professional photography and certified RMS measurements are required for MLS listings in Alberta. Bōde includes both with every listing. If selling with a traditional agent, photography is sometimes included in the commission and sometimes billed separately at $300 to $600. RMS measurements are typically arranged by the listing agent.
Moving costs ($500 to $3,000)
Moving costs vary based on distance, volume, and service level. This cost is the same regardless of how you sell your home. Budget $500 to $800 for a DIY move with a rental truck, $1,500 to $3,000 for a full-service professional move. Bōde’s Pro Marketplace lists vetted moving services you can connect with directly.
02 Cost Comparison
The table below shows total estimated selling costs on an $700,000 Alberta home using Bōde’s 1% option versus a traditional 4% total commission. The RPR, legal fees, and moving costs are the same either way.
Cost item
Bōde (1% option)
Traditional agent (4%)
Listing fee
$7,000 + GST (1% of $700K)
$28,000 (4% of $700K, split with buyer agent)
Photography and RMS
Included
$300 to $600 (sometimes included)
Real Property Report
$500 to $1,500
$500 to $1,500 (same)
Legal fees
$1,500 to $2,500
$1,500 to $2,500 (same)
Moving costs
$500 to $3,000
$500 to $3,000 (same)
Estimated total
$9,500 to $12,500 + GST
$30,800 to $34,500
The $20,000+ difference on a $700,000 home is preserved equity, not a savings on the service. Bōde lists on the same MLS, syndicates to the same partner sites, and manages offers through the same process. See the full Bōde pricing breakdown.
03 The Buyer Agent Fee
In a traditional sale, the buyer agent fee is bundled into the total commission negotiated between brokerages. The seller has little visibility into how it is allocated. With Bōde, you set the buyer agent fee directly when you create your listing. It appears on your listing details and is visible to buyer agents before they book a showing.
Most Alberta transactions involve a buyer agent. Setting a competitive buyer agent fee increases your listing’s visibility to agents bringing active buyers. Your Bōde dashboard shows you what buyer agent fees comparable listings in your area are offering.
Cost ranges in this post are estimates based on typical Alberta residential transactions as of 2026. Actual costs vary by property, location, service provider, and circumstance. Legal fees, RPR costs, and moving costs are examples only. Consult your lawyer and relevant service providers for accurate quotes before listing.
Common Questions
Traditional real estate commissions in Alberta typically total 3 to 5% of the sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer agent. On a $700,000 home, that is $21,000 to $35,000. Bōde’s 1% option on the same home is $7,000 plus GST. Both include MLS listing and buyer agent accommodation.
Yes, for most residential sales including detached homes and bareland condos. A Real Property Report is not required for conventional condos. Order your RPR before listing. It is the most common cause of closing delays in Alberta transactions. If any improvements have been made since your last RPR, it will need to be updated.
Yes. Legal fees for the seller’s lawyer are the same whether you sell with a traditional agent, with Bode, or any other way. You always need a lawyer to complete the transaction in Alberta. They handle the Transfer of Land, mortgage discharge, fund distribution, and title registration. Legal fees are paid directly to your lawyer.
The buyer typically pays land transfer tax (Alberta has no provincial land transfer tax, though some municipalities charge one) and their own legal fees. The buyer also pays for their home inspection if they include one as a condition. The costs listed in this post are seller costs only.
The largest controllable cost is the listing fee or commission. Selling with Bode at $949 flat or 1% capped at $10,000 is the most direct way to reduce this cost while maintaining full MLS access, professional photography, and offer management. The RPR, legal fees, and moving costs are fixed and the same regardless of your approach.
Welcome to Bōde
Bōde is a licensed real estate platform operating in Alberta, BC, and Ontario. The platform handles every stage of the sale: listing on MLS and 1,000+ additional sites, marketing, offers, and closing. Pricing is $949 flat plus GST, or 1% capped at $10,000 plus GST, only when the property sells. The Homeowner Dashboard is free. Bōdie, the AI interface into Bōde AI, tracks ten categories of homeownership value continuously.
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Homes listed on Bōde sell for 1.3% more than market average
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