The question comes up at every seller meeting: « With my house at $650,000, what will actually be left in my pocket? » In 2026 Quebec, seven cost lines reduce the headline sale price. Our guide to notary fees when selling covers one of those lines; here we cover all seven and compute the real net proceeds.
1. The 7 cost lines that reduce your sale price
- Broker commission — 4 to 5% of price, including taxes (GST+QST).
- Seller’s notary fees — $1,000 to $1,500 (mortgage discharges, releases, certificates).
- Mortgage payoff — remaining principal + penalty if term not expired.
- Prepayment penalty — 3 months interest or IRD per contract.
- Municipal & school tax adjustment — prorated to closing date.
- Location certificate — $600 to $1,200 if previous one is over 10 years old.
- Capital gains tax — $0 if principal residence each year, otherwise 50% of gain taxed at marginal rate.
Welcome tax (transfer tax) does not apply to the seller: it is paid by the buyer to the municipality after land registry registration.
2. Worked example — Montreal single-family $652,250
Montreal single-family median, March 2026 per APCIQ (+6.9% YoY). Assumptions: $280,000 mortgage balance, variable rate term (no IRD), principal residence for 12 years.
| Accepted sale price | +$652,250 |
| Broker commission 4.5% + GST/QST | −$33,752 |
| Seller’s notary fees | −$1,200 |
| Mortgage payoff | −$280,000 |
| Prepayment penalty (3 months interest) | −$3,100 |
| Municipal tax adjustment | −$1,800 |
| Location certificate (10+ years) | −$900 |
| Capital gains tax (principal residence — exempt) | $0 |
| Net proceeds in your bank | $331,498 |
The seller therefore receives ~$331,500 on the $652,250 headline price — that’s 50.8% of the price. The rest pays for services and property-related debts.
3. Variations by your situation
- Mortgage fully paid off: add ~$280,000 — net ~$611,500.
- IRD penalty (fixed-rate mortgage with active term): $8,000 to $15,000 extra depending on balance and rate differential.
- Selling without a broker (DuProprio etc.): ~$33,750 saved in commission, but 92% of FSBO sales in QC close below median (APCIQ 2024 study).
- House partially rented (50/50 plex): the rental portion is taxed on 50% of the capital gain. See our capital gains real estate Quebec 2026 guide.
- Cottage or secondary residence: 50% of gain taxable at marginal rate, no principal residence exemption.
4. How to maximize your net proceeds — 5 levers
- Negotiate commission — 4% instead of 5% on $652,250 puts $6,500 more in your pocket.
- Sell at end of mortgage term — no IRD penalty, $8,000 to $15,000 saved.
- Keep your location certificate up to date — redo every 10 years, avoid last-minute rush before signing.
- Sell in spring (March-June) — APCIQ confirms +3 to 5% median price vs winter.
- Professional pre-listing valuation — overpricing = 30+ days on market and successive price drops.
Estimate your net proceeds before listing
CoteQC computes your property’s market value in 30 seconds (228 comparables analyzed per zone) and our OACIQ broker gives you the projected net proceeds free of charge, by phone.
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