What you pay · What you don’t pay · Net proceeds estimate · Coquitlam & Port Moody
Selling a home in Coquitlam or Port Moody involves several costs that come off your proceeds at completion. The largest is real estate commission — but there are others that sellers often overlook or misunderstand. Understanding your full cost picture before listing lets you know your realistic net proceeds and make informed decisions about timing, pricing, and whether to pay down your mortgage before selling.
One of the most common misconceptions: sellers in BC do not pay Property Transfer Tax. PTT is a buyer cost. Sellers also don’t pay GST on resale homes — that applies to new construction only. The table below covers what sellers actually pay.
Estimates based on a $1,000,000 sale in Coquitlam or Port Moody, BC. Actual amounts vary. Use the calculators linked below for your specific scenario.
| Cost Item | Typical Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate commission | Negotiated | Includes listing agent fee + co-op fee to buyer’s agent. Use commission calculator. |
| Legal fees (lawyer or notary) | $1,200–$1,800 | Standard residential sale. More if title issues or multiple mortgage holders exist. |
| Mortgage discharge penalty | $0–$15,000+ | Only if selling before your mortgage term expires. Fixed-rate IRD penalties can be significant. Ask your lender before listing. |
| Mortgage discharge admin fee | $200–$400 | Lender fee to discharge the mortgage from title at completion. |
| Property tax adjustment | Variable | If selling mid-year, a pro-rated property tax adjustment is made at completion. Can be credit or debit depending on payment timing. |
| Strata document fee (strata only) | $100–$300 | Required when selling a strata property. Covers Form B, depreciation report, and meeting minutes for buyer disclosure. |
| Moving costs | $1,000–$5,000+ | Highly variable. Local moves within the Tri-Cities are lower; larger homes or longer distances increase this significantly. |
| Pre-sale prep & staging | $500–$5,000+ | Optional but often worth it. Cosmetic updates, deep cleaning, minor repairs, and staging vary by property size and condition. |
| Estimated total (excl. commission & mortgage balance) | ~$3,000–$22,000+ | Excluding commission, remaining mortgage balance, and mortgage discharge penalty (highly variable). |
Start with a realistic sale price from a CMA. Get a free valuation at sebastianrealestate.ca/how-much-is-my-home-worth-coquitlam/.
Deduct the total commission. Use the commission calculator to estimate for your sale price.
Estimate $1,200–$1,800 for a standard residential sale in Coquitlam or Port Moody.
If your mortgage term isn’t up at completion, call your lender for the prepayment penalty amount before listing.
Your remaining mortgage principal is repaid from proceeds at completion. Subtract this from the net to see your cash-out amount.
The remainder is yours at completion — available for your next purchase, investment, or debt paydown.
Use Sebastian’s free tools to see exactly what you’ll net from your Coquitlam or Port Moody sale before you commit to listing.
Commission Calculator What Is My Home Worth?How much does it cost to sell a house in BC?
Total selling costs in BC vary significantly by commission structure and mortgage situation. Excluding commission and mortgage discharge penalties, expect approximately $3,000–$5,000 in legal fees, discharge admin, and strata document fees for a standard Coquitlam or Port Moody sale. Commission is the largest cost and is negotiated with your agent. Use the commission calculator for your specific scenario.
Do sellers pay Property Transfer Tax in BC?
No — this is one of the most common misconceptions among BC sellers. Property Transfer Tax (PTT) is paid by the buyer, not the seller. When you sell your Coquitlam or Port Moody home, you do not pay PTT. Buyers pay PTT based on the purchase price tiers (1% on the first $200K, 2% up to $2M, 3% above $2M).
What are legal fees for selling a home in Coquitlam or Port Moody?
Legal fees for sellers in Coquitlam and Port Moody typically range from $1,200 to $1,800 for a standard residential sale. Your lawyer or notary handles the title transfer, mortgage discharge, and distribution of proceeds at completion. Costs increase with complications such as title issues or multiple mortgage holders.
What is a mortgage prepayment penalty and how much is it?
If you sell before your mortgage term expires, your lender charges a prepayment penalty. For fixed-rate mortgages in BC, this is typically the greater of 3 months’ interest or the Interest Rate Differential (IRD). The IRD can be very large on longer fixed terms with a significant rate gap. Variable-rate mortgages typically charge 3 months’ interest only. Always call your lender for the exact penalty before listing your Coquitlam or Port Moody home.
Do sellers pay GST when selling their home in BC?
No — GST on real estate in BC applies to new construction only, and it is paid by the buyer (with potential rebates for primary residences). Sellers of resale homes in Coquitlam, Port Moody, and throughout BC do not charge or pay GST on the sale.
How do I get a net proceeds estimate for my Coquitlam home?
Start with a free home valuation at sebastianrealestate.ca/how-much-is-my-home-worth-coquitlam/ to determine a realistic sale price. Then use the commission calculator for the commission deduction. Add legal fees (~$1,500) and any mortgage discharge penalty (from your lender), and subtract your outstanding mortgage balance. Sebastian can also provide a full net proceeds estimate as part of your listing consultation — no obligation.
Estimate your commission and net proceeds for any sale price. Adjust and compare different commission scenarios instantly.
Open CalculatorFind out what your Coquitlam or Port Moody home is worth in May 2026 — neighbourhood-specific sold comps, BC Assessment comparison, and market context.
What Is My Home Worth?Talk through your full net proceeds picture — commission, legal, discharge, and sale price expectation — before you commit to listing. No obligation.
Contact SebastianSebastian Czarkowski is a licensed real estate professional regulated by the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA). Brokerage: Royal LePage Elite West, Coquitlam, BC. Cost estimates on this page are general guides for residential real estate transactions in Coquitlam and Port Moody, BC as of 2026. Actual costs vary by transaction complexity, lender, property type, and individual circumstances. This page does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a lawyer or notary for legal guidance and your lender for mortgage discharge amounts before making selling decisions.