On a typical $600,000 Woodstock home, total selling costs run about $25,000 to $37,000 in 2026, and roughly 90% of that is real estate commission plus 13% HST.
Most pages that answer this question quote province-wide averages, because Woodstock-specific numbers are hard to find. Below is the breakdown applied to the actual local market: the Woodstock Ingersoll Tillsonburg and Area Association of REALTORS® reported an average sale price of $611,357 in May 2026, with a single-family benchmark of about $600,500. We use a round $600,000 home for the worked example.
What a Woodstock seller actually pays
There are four costs a Woodstock seller should plan for, and one common cost that does not apply to sellers at all.
| Cost | Typical amount on a $600,000 home | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate commission | $21,000–$30,000 (3.5%–5%) | Paid by the seller, split between the listing and buyer brokerages. Negotiable. |
| HST on commission (13%) | $2,730–$3,900 | Applied to the commission only, not the sale price. |
| Real estate lawyer | $1,000–$2,500 + HST | Closing, mortgage discharge from title, fund disbursement. |
| Mortgage discharge / penalty | $200–$400, plus any prepayment penalty | Breaking a fixed term early can add a significant lender penalty. |
| Land transfer tax | $0 | Paid by the buyer in Ontario, not the seller. |
The worked example: a $600,000 Woodstock home
At a mid-range commission of 4.5%, the math looks like this:
- Commission: 4.5% of $600,000 = $27,000
- HST on commission: 13% of $27,000 = $3,510
- Real estate lawyer: about $1,500 + HST ≈ $1,700
- Mortgage discharge: about $300 (plus any prepayment penalty if you break a fixed term)
- Total: roughly $32,500, before any optional preparation costs
Lower your commission to 3.5% and the total drops near $25,000. At 5% it climbs toward $36,000. Commission is the single biggest lever, which is exactly why it is worth understanding before you sign a listing agreement.
The cost most Woodstock sellers forget to ask about
The number on the table is the commission rate. The number that decides your sale is what that commission buys: the photography, the pricing strategy, the exposure, and the negotiation that determine your final sale price. A slightly lower rate on a home that sells for less, or sits longer, is not a saving.
Ask any agent you interview to show you, in writing, what their fee includes and how they have moved final sale prices in your neighbourhood. Team Beckett walks every Woodstock seller through their specific numbers before listing, including a no-obligation estimate of net proceeds.
Optional costs that change the total
The four costs above are the unavoidable ones. These are optional and depend on your home:
- Staging and professional photography — often arranged by your agent, sometimes included.
- Cleaning, minor repairs, and decluttering — a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, usually the highest-return spend.
- Pre-listing inspection — optional in Ontario, occasionally worth it for older homes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sell a house in Woodstock, Ontario?
On a typical $600,000 Woodstock home in 2026, total selling costs run roughly $25,000 to $37,000. The large majority is real estate commission (about 3.5% to 5% of the sale price, split between the listing and buyer agents) plus 13% HST on that commission. Lawyer fees and a mortgage discharge make up most of the rest, and sellers in Ontario do not pay land transfer tax.
What is the average real estate commission in Woodstock, Ontario?
Commission in the Woodstock area typically falls between 3.5% and 5% of the sale price, with the Ontario average near 4.3%. It is paid by the seller and usually split between the listing brokerage and the buyer’s brokerage, with 13% HST added. It is negotiable and set in your listing agreement, not fixed by law.
Do home sellers pay land transfer tax in Ontario?
No. In Ontario, land transfer tax is paid by the buyer. Woodstock and Oxford County have no municipal land transfer tax (only the City of Toronto charges one), so it is not part of your costs when you sell.
How much are lawyer fees to sell a house in Ontario?
A real estate lawyer typically charges about $1,000 to $2,500 plus HST and disbursements to close a sale. The lawyer handles the closing, discharges your mortgage from title, and disburses the funds. Breaking a fixed mortgage term early can add a separate lender prepayment penalty.
What is the average home price in Woodstock right now?
The local REALTOR® board reported an average sale price of $611,357 in May 2026, with a single-family benchmark near $600,500. Figures move monthly, so check the current board report for an exact number.
Want your real number?
We'll look at your home and your neighbourhood and give you a clear, no-obligation estimate before you make a move. Talk to Team Beckett.