New Brunswick Real Estate Commission
The standard real estate commission in New Brunswick is 5% of the home sale price, using a flat-rate structure. The commission is split between the listing brokerage and the cooperating brokerage, typically 2.5% each.
What distinguishes New Brunswick’s commission environment:
- 15% HST — Same as all Atlantic provinces, the highest combined sales tax on commission in Canada
- Bilingual market — Canada’s only officially bilingual province, with northern/eastern regions (Acadie) operating predominantly in French
- Three-city market — Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton form the core markets, each with distinct characteristics
- Rapid price growth — Interprovincial migration since 2020 has driven significant price increases, especially in the Greater Moncton area
- Affordability — Despite recent growth, New Brunswick remains one of Canada’s most affordable provinces for homeownership
How New Brunswick Real Estate Commission Is Calculated
New Brunswick uses a flat 5% commission on the full sale price:
Formula: Sale Price × 5% = Commission. Commission × 15% HST = Tax.
| Sale Price | Commission (5%) | HST (15%) | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $7,500 | $1,125 | $8,625 |
| $200,000 | $10,000 | $1,500 | $11,500 |
| $250,000 | $12,500 | $1,875 | $14,375 |
| $300,000 | $15,000 | $2,250 | $17,250 |
| $350,000 | $17,500 | $2,625 | $20,125 |
| $400,000 | $20,000 | $3,000 | $23,000 |
| $500,000 | $25,000 | $3,750 | $28,750 |
| $600,000 | $30,000 | $4,500 | $34,500 |
| $750,000 | $37,500 | $5,625 | $43,125 |
The effective commission rate including HST is 5.75% of the sale price — tied with Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, PEI, and Quebec for the highest in Canada.
New Brunswick Commission by City and Region
| City / Region | Avg. Home Price (2025) | Commission (5%) | Total with HST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moncton | ~$340,000 | ~$17,000 | ~$19,550 | Fastest-growing Atlantic market |
| Dieppe | ~$370,000 | ~$18,500 | ~$21,275 | Bilingual suburb of Moncton |
| Riverview | ~$310,000 | ~$15,500 | ~$17,825 | Part of Greater Moncton |
| Saint John | ~$275,000 | ~$13,750 | ~$15,813 | Largest city; port economy |
| Fredericton | ~$310,000 | ~$15,500 | ~$17,825 | Provincial capital; government hub |
| Oromocto | ~$260,000 | ~$13,000 | ~$14,950 | Military base (CFB Gagetown) |
| Miramichi | ~$225,000 | ~$11,250 | ~$12,938 | North-central NB |
| Bathurst | ~$175,000 | ~$8,750 | ~$10,063 | Chaleur Bay region |
| Edmundston | ~$185,000 | ~$9,250 | ~$10,638 | Northwestern NB; near Quebec border |
| Campbellton | ~$120,000 | ~$6,000 | ~$6,900 | Northern NB; Restigouche County |
| Sussex | ~$235,000 | ~$11,750 | ~$13,513 | Kings County |
| Shediac | ~$320,000 | ~$16,000 | ~$18,400 | Coastal town near Moncton |
The Greater Moncton area (Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview) is the most active market and has experienced the highest price growth. Saint John offers waterfront living at lower prices but faces economic headwinds. Fredericton is stable due to the provincial government and university presence.
The Three Main Markets
Moncton (Greater Moncton)
- Population trend: Fastest-growing census metropolitan area (CMA) in Atlantic Canada
- Price trend: Prices approximately doubled from 2019 to 2025
- Key drivers: Immigration, interprovincial migration, bilingual workforce, expanding tech sector, major employers (Irving, Assumption Life, NBCC)
- Neighbourhoods: Dieppe commands premium prices; Riverview is more affordable
Saint John
- Population trend: Relatively stable, slower growth than Moncton
- Price trend: Moderate growth; still the most affordable of the three main cities
- Key drivers: Port of Saint John, Irving Oil refinery, NB Power, healthcare
- Unique factor: Saint John has a significant heritage housing stock in the Uptown and South End areas
Fredericton
- Population trend: Steady growth driven by government and university employment
- Price trend: Moderate, consistent growth
- Key drivers: Provincial government, University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University, military (CFB Gagetown nearby in Oromocto)
- Neighbourhoods: Southside and Skyline Acres command higher prices; North Side and Devon are more affordable
The Bilingual Market
New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province, and this has real implications for real estate:
- In northern and eastern New Brunswick (Edmundston, Campbellton, Bathurst, Caraquet, Tracadie, Shediac area), many sellers and buyers prefer to conduct transactions in French
- Dieppe (adjacent to Moncton) is a predominantly francophone community with property values above the Moncton average
- Agents listed as bilingual have an advantage in the Greater Moncton market
- The New Brunswick Real Estate Association (NBREA) provides forms and contracts in both English and French
- Centris (the Quebec MLS system) is not used in New Brunswick — all listings go through the standard MLS via NBREA
This bilingual dimension is unique in Canada outside of Quebec and can affect buyer reach and marketability depending on the region.
Tax on Commission
New Brunswick charges 15% HST on all real estate commission services:
| Comparison | Tax Rate | Tax on $17,000 Commission ($340K Moncton Home) |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 5% (GST only) | $850 |
| BC | 5% (GST only) | $850 |
| Manitoba | 5% (GST only) | $850 |
| Saskatchewan | 11% (GST + PST) | $1,870 |
| Ontario | 13% (HST) | $2,210 |
| Quebec | 14.975% (GST + QST) | $2,546 |
| New Brunswick | 15% (HST) | $2,550 |
On a typical Moncton sale, the HST adds $2,550 to the commission — $1,700 more than in Alberta, BC, or Manitoba.
How New Brunswick Compares to Other Provinces
| Province | Commission on $340K | Tax | Total Cost | Effective % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saskatchewan | $12,800 | $1,408 | $14,208 | 4.18% |
| BC | $13,000 | $650 | $13,650 | 4.01% |
| Alberta | $14,200 | $710 | $14,910 | 4.39% |
| Manitoba | $17,000 | $850 | $17,850 | 5.25% |
| Ontario | $17,000 | $2,210 | $19,210 | 5.65% |
| Quebec | $17,000 | $2,546 | $19,546 | 5.75% |
| New Brunswick | $17,000 | $2,550 | $19,550 | 5.75% |
How to Reduce Commission Costs in New Brunswick
1. Negotiate the rate
With Moncton’s rapid price growth, sellers have more leverage to negotiate:
- 4% on a $340,000 home saves $3,910 (including HST) compared to 5%
- 1% listing + 2.5% buyer’s agent (or 3.5% total) saves $5,865 on the same home
- Properties above $400,000 have the strongest negotiating position
2. Flat-fee MLS listing
Several New Brunswick companies offer MLS listing for a flat fee ($500–$1,500). You handle showings and negotiations but still get MLS exposure. Budget 2.5% for the cooperating commission to the buyer’s agent, bringing total costs to approximately 3% instead of 5%.
3. Explore the market in both languages
If your property is in a bilingual area (Greater Moncton, Shediac, Dieppe), ensure your listing appears in both English and French to maximize buyer reach. Some agents include bilingual marketing as standard; others charge extra.
4. Time your sale
New Brunswick’s market has strong seasonality. Spring (April–June) is the best time to sell, and a quick sale in a hot market gives you leverage to negotiate lower commission because the agent’s time investment is minimal.
New Brunswick Real Estate Regulation
New Brunswick’s real estate industry is regulated by the New Brunswick Real Estate Association (NBREA) under the Real Estate Agents Act.
Key regulatory points:
- Commission rates are not regulated — they are negotiated between the seller and the brokerage.
- All agents must be licensed through NBREA.
- New Brunswick requires agents to provide a written representation agreement before acting for a client.
- Property condition disclosure statements are commonly used but are not legally mandatory.
- New Brunswick allows designated agency within a brokerage.
- Real property transfer tax: New Brunswick charges a real property transfer tax of 1% of the assessed value (paid by the buyer), which is lower than Nova Scotia’s deed transfer tax. This relatively low transfer tax is a selling point for the province.
- Both English and French forms are available through NBREA.
New Brunswick Market Context
Interprovincial Migration Boom
Like other Atlantic provinces, New Brunswick experienced a major influx of interprovincial migrants starting in 2020:
- Ontario buyers seeking affordability (a $350,000 Moncton home vs. $1,000,000+ in the GTA)
- Remote workers discovering Atlantic Canada affordability
- Retirees from Ontario and Quebec
This migration wave raised prices significantly, particularly in Moncton, Fredericton, and coastal communities like Shediac.
Military Housing (Oromocto / CFB Gagetown)
CFB Gagetown near Oromocto is one of the largest military bases in Canada. The military housing market has unique characteristics:
- High turnover — Military postings create frequent buying and selling cycles
- IRP (Integrated Relocation Program) — Federal relocation benefits affect pricing and timeline
- Consistent demand — Military families provide a floor for local real estate prices
- Commission note: Military relocations often involve coordinated timelines, which can affect negotiation flexibility
Rural New Brunswick
Outside the three main cities, New Brunswick has significant rural real estate at very low price points:
- Properties under $150,000 are common in northern and rural communities
- Commission on a $120,000 Campbellton home is just $6,000 ($6,900 with HST)
- Low commission amounts may make it harder to find agents willing to take rural listings
- Consider FSBO for very low-value properties where the commission-to-effort ratio is low for agents
Additional Costs When Selling a Home in New Brunswick
| Cost | Typical Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate commission | 5% of sale price | Plus 15% HST |
| Lawyer fees | $800–$1,500 | Required for closing |
| Mortgage payout penalty | Varies | Depends on lender and mortgage type |
| Discharge of mortgage | $200–$400 | Lawyer handles |
| Home inspection (pre-listing) | $300–$500 | Optional |
| Repairs / staging | $500–$2,000 | More common in Moncton/Fredericton |
| Moving costs | $800–$3,000 | Depends on distance |
| Capital gains tax | Varies | Federal + NB provincial; only if not principal residence |
Worked Example: Selling a $340,000 Home in Moncton
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $340,000 |
| Remaining mortgage | -$175,000 |
| Commission (5%) | -$17,000 |
| HST on commission (15%) | -$2,550 |
| Lawyer fees | -$1,000 |
| Mortgage payout | -$1,500 |
| Net proceeds to seller | $142,950 |
Total commission with HST: $19,550 (effective rate: 5.75% of sale price)
If you negotiated to 4%:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $340,000 |
| Remaining mortgage | -$175,000 |
| Commission (4%) | -$13,600 |
| HST on commission (15%) | -$2,040 |
| Lawyer fees | -$1,000 |
| Mortgage payout | -$1,500 |
| Net proceeds to seller | $146,860 |
Negotiating from 5% to 4% saves $3,910 including HST.
Related Pages
- Real Estate Commission Calculator (All Provinces) — Compare rates across Canada
- New Brunswick Housing Market — Market conditions and trends
- New Brunswick Mortgage Rates — Today’s best rates
- New Brunswick Income Tax — Provincial tax brackets
- New Brunswick Sales Tax (HST) — 15% combined rate
- Moncton Property Tax — Municipal tax rates