by Faiza Ahmed (Broker) 
When it comes to commission percentage, when selling the house, everyone loves saving money. It’s no surprise that firms like Canada’s One Percent Realty have gained traction among homeowners seeking relief from hefty real estate commissions—typically around 4% to 6% of the sale price.
Before we jump into what seems to be an obvious choice, it is essential to understand the non-obvious realities of the ultra-low-commission model.
The Promise of Lower Commissions
Apparently, companies like One Percent Realty put forward an appealing proposition like, drastically reducing your selling costs by cutting down traditional commission fees. The math is simple: rather than handing over tens of thousands of dollars in commissions, you could keep more of your home’s value in your pocket.
Sounds great, right? But as with most things, if it seems too good to be true, there might be a catch.
The Hidden Costs of the “Cheap” Perception
While undeniably cost-effective upfront, One Percent Realty has earned a less-than-ideal reputation within the Canadian real estate market. This perception isn’t purely about pricing—it’s about the impact low commissions have on buyer-agent motivation and overall market visibility.
Here’s why that matters:
Most real estate transactions involve two agents—one representing the seller, the other representing the buyer. Buyer agents rely on commissions paid by the seller’s side as compensation for bringing their clients. When a listing firm like One Percent Realty significantly cuts the offered buyer-agent commission below regional averages, many buyer’s agents are less inclined to show these properties to their clients.
The result? Reduced exposure, fewer showings, and potentially fewer competitive offers. The unfortunate irony here is that sellers hoping to save money on commissions could ultimately lose out on higher offers due to lower marketplace visibility.
Why Buyer-Agent Incentives Are Essential
Real estate, at its core, is a competitive marketplace. If your home isn’t attracting the attention of buyer agents—those who guide the majority of potential buyers through the buying process—your property may stagnate on the market, potentially reducing its perceived value over time.
Low buyer-agent commissions often mean fewer motivated buyer agents. Experienced agents naturally prefer listings where their compensation is fair and reflective of local norms, which is why homes listed with ultra-low commissions can find themselves unintentionally sidelined.
Change Is Coming: Canada’s Real Estate Landscape Is Shifting
While commission structures remain a contentious topic, changes might soon reshape how real estate transactions are conducted across Canada. A recent class-action lawsuit—now referred to as Canada’s largest real estate lawsuit—is challenging traditional commission practices. If successful, this lawsuit could usher in greater transparency, flexibility, and fairness, empowering sellers and buyers alike.
What does this mean for you? It means that while reduced commission models are likely here to stay, the best solutions going forward will balance seller savings with adequate market exposure and fair compensation for buyer agents.
Finding the Right Balance
Not all one percent models are created equal. The key is in the details—and more specifically, in how the listing is positioned on the open market. A well-designed, low-commission model should reduce fees for the seller without diminishing the home’s visibility or appeal to buyer agents.
This means maintaining competitive compensation for cooperating agents and ensuring the listing is marketed using modern, high-impact strategies. When those elements are in place, sellers can achieve real savings and still attract strong offers.
As the industry shifts toward more transparent and flexible models, homeowners should look for solutions that prioritize both value and visibility—not just one at the expense of the other. It’s possible to save thousands in commission while still selling with confidence, but only if the structure behind the savings is thoughtfully built.
The Bottom Line: Make an Informed Decision
Saving money is important, no doubt. However, understanding all the aspects of real estate commissions, at the same time, is essential to maximizing a property’s value. One Percent Realty firms offer undeniable financial appeal, but homeowners should be cautious of inadvertently limiting their property’s market exposure through overly aggressive commission cuts.
As the Canadian real estate industry evolves, smarter, balanced models (like those offered by modern brokerage platforms) are paving the way forward. So, before deciding on any low-commission brokerage, be sure to fully understand how your home’s exposure & selling experience might be affected.
After all, true savings come from making informed decisions that balance cost efficiency with market competitiveness and genuine value.