Last updated: August 2026 · Reviewed by Frank Rosso, ABR, SRS, REALTOR®

A Quick Summary

In 2026, selling a home in Peterborough or the Kawarthas typically costs 4% to 6.5% of the sale price, and buying typically costs 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price on top of your down payment.

On a home at the Peterborough County average selling price of $674,834 in July 2026 (Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® / CREA), that works out to roughly:

• Selling: about $30,000 to $43,000 all in, with real estate commission plus 13% HST making up the large majority of it
• Buying: about $13,000 to $18,000 in closing costs, with Ontario land transfer tax of $9,975 being the single biggest line

There is no municipal land transfer tax in Peterborough or anywhere else in the Kawarthas. That tax only exists in Toronto, which saves a local buyer thousands compared with the same purchase in the city.

Key Points

• Standard commission range: 3.5% to 5% of the sale price in Ontario in 2026, negotiable, plus 13% HST on the commission (ExamAce, WOWA)
• Ontario land transfer tax on a $675,000 purchase: $9,975
• First-time buyer refund: up to $4,000, which fully covers the tax on a home up to $368,000 (Ontario Ministry of Finance)
• Real estate lawyer, all in: $1,500 to $3,000 including disbursements and HST (Ownright)
• Home inspection: $400 to $700 for a standard detached home, $300 to $450 for a condo (RealtyMan)
• Rural and waterfront extras: budget another $500 to $1,500 for septic inspection, well water testing and a wood-stove check
• Mortgage discharge: lender fee up to about $400, plus $85 to register the discharge in Ontario (FCAC, Ontario land registration fees)
• Breaking a fixed mortgage early is the one cost that can blow up a seller's budget, because the penalty is the greater of three months' interest or the interest rate differential (FCAC)
• Peterborough property tax rate for 2026: 1.8892540% total, made up of 1.7362540% municipal and 0.1530000% education (City of Peterborough)

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Who Prepared This Guide

Frank Rosso, ABR, SRS — REALTOR®, RE/MAX Hallmark Eastern Realty

• Licensed and selling in this market since 1986 — 40 years in Toronto, Peterborough, Lakefield and the Kawarthas
• Registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) and a member of the Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® and the Canadian Real Estate Association
• Office: 91 George Street North, 2nd Floor, Peterborough, ON K9J 7Y8
• Office: 34 Bridge St Lakefield, KOL 2H0, Ontario
• Phone: 705-933-9688
• Specialties: residential resale, condos, waterfront and cottage properties, farms, first-time buyers, downsizing and estate sales
• Recognition: RE/MAX Hallmark Eastern Realty Top 100 Agent, 2025

Every figure below is either a published government rate, a service-provider price range from 2026, or a calculation shown in full so you can check the math.

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What Does It Cost to Sell a House in Peterborough in 2026?

Selling costs usually land between 4% and 6.5% of the sale price. Commission and the HST on it account for most of the total. Everything else is comparatively small, unless you are breaking a mortgage.

Cost	Typical 2026 range	Who sets it	Source
Real estate commission	3.5% to 5% of sale price, negotiable	Negotiated with your listing brokerage	ExamAce, WOWA
HST on commission	13% of the commission	Government of Canada / Ontario	WOWA cost of selling
Lawyer, sale side	$750 to $1,500 fee, plus $500 to $1,000 disbursements	Your law firm	Ownright
Mortgage discharge — lender fee	$0 to $400	Your lender	FCAC
Mortgage discharge — registration	$85 electronic registration	Ontario land registration fee schedule	Ontario.ca
Prepayment penalty, if breaking a closed mortgage	3 months' interest, or the interest rate differential if greater on a fixed mortgage	Your mortgage contract	FCAC
Staging consultation	$150 to $600	Stager	Stylebite
Occupied staging	$650 to $3,500 for the first month	Stager	Stylebite
Vacant staging	$1,500 to $8,000 depending on size	Stager	Kelly Allan Design
Pre-list cleaning, paint, repairs, junk removal	$500 to $5,000	You choose the scope	Varies by property
Moving, local	$700 to $2,500 for 1 to 2 bedrooms, $1,600 to $4,500 for 3+ bedrooms	Mover	LatestCost Ontario
Property tax and utility adjustments	Varies with your closing date	Statement of adjustments	See the adjustments section below
Status certificate, condos only	Maximum $100 including tax, delivered within 10 days	Condominium Act, 1998	Condo Authority of Ontario
Capital gains tax	$0 on a principal residence. Taxable on a cottage, rental or second property	Canada Revenue Agency	CRA

Staging prices in the table come from Toronto-area providers, which is the only place the data is published consistently. Local Peterborough and Kawarthas staging quotes usually come in below those numbers, and many sellers here only need a consultation plus accent pieces.

Commission in Real Dollars at Local Price Points

Commission is negotiable and always quoted before HST. This table shows the total commission cost including the 13% HST, so you can see what actually comes off your proceeds.

Sale price	3.5% + HST	4% + HST	4.5% + HST	5% + HST
$500,000	$19,775	$22,600	$25,425	$28,250
$550,000	$21,753	$24,860	$27,968	$31,075
$675,000 (near the county average)	$26,696	$30,510	$34,324	$38,138
$790,000 (typical Kawarthas waterfront)	$31,244	$35,708	$40,172	$44,635
$1,000,000	$39,550	$45,200	$50,850	$56,500

A Worked Net Proceeds Example

A Peterborough seller with a $675,000 sale price, a 4.5% commission, and a $350,000 mortgage balance:

Line	Amount
Sale price	$675,000
Commission at 4.5%	−$30,375
HST on commission	−$3,949
Lawyer, fee and disbursements	−$1,800
Mortgage discharge and registration	−$385
Pre-list cleaning, paint and minor repairs	−$2,000
Total selling costs	−$38,509 (5.7% of the sale price)
Mortgage payout	−$350,000
Approximate net to the seller	$286,491

Add a prepayment penalty if you are breaking a closed term, and add moving costs and staging if you use them. Those three items are where most surprises come from.

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What Are Closing Costs for a Buyer in Peterborough in 2026?

Budget 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price for closing costs, on top of your down payment. Ontario land transfer tax is the largest single item for most local buyers.

Cost	Typical 2026 amount	Source
Ontario land transfer tax	0.5% to 2.5% on a sliding scale. $9,975 on $675,000	Ontario Ministry of Finance
Municipal land transfer tax	$0 in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Toronto only	Ontario.ca
First-time buyer refund	Up to $4,000 off the provincial tax	Ontario Ministry of Finance
Lawyer, purchase side	$750 to $1,500 fee, plus $500 to $1,000 disbursements, so $1,500 to $3,000 all in	Ownright, AG Law
Title insurance	$300 to $1,000 one-time premium, most Ontario policies $500 or less	Ownright, WOWA
Home inspection	$400 to $700 detached, $300 to $450 condo	RealtyMan
Lender appraisal	$350 to $700, when the lender requires one	Noble Real Estate
Mortgage default insurance	2.80% to 4.00% of the mortgage when you put down less than 20%. Added to the mortgage	CanadianMoneyHelp, CalcCanada
Ontario RST on that insurance premium	8%, and it must be paid in cash at closing	WealthNorth
Property tax and utility adjustments	Usually a few hundred to a few thousand dollars	Statement of adjustments
Status certificate review, condos	Up to $100 for the certificate, plus your lawyer's review	Condo Authority of Ontario
Septic inspection, rural and waterfront	$150 to $500 visual, $300 to $900 with a pump-out	Kawartha Septic, SepticReplacement.ca
Well water testing	From about $16 for a basic bacteria test up to several hundred for full chemistry	Durham Region 2026 laboratory fee schedule
Wood stove or fireplace WETT inspection	A few hundred dollars, often bundled with the home inspection	Local inspectors
Moving, local	$700 to $4,500 depending on home size	LatestCost Ontario
Non-Resident Speculation Tax	25% of the purchase price, for foreign buyers of residential property anywhere in Ontario	Ontario Ministry of Finance

Ontario Land Transfer Tax at Local Price Points

The tax is marginal, meaning each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside its band.

Portion of the purchase price	Rate
First $55,000	0.5%
$55,000.01 to $250,000	1.0%
$250,000.01 to $400,000	1.5%
Above $400,000	2.0%
Above $2,000,000, one or two single family residences	2.5%

Rates published by the Ontario Ministry of Finance, page updated April 22, 2026.

Purchase price	Land transfer tax	After the $4,000 first-time buyer refund
$500,000	$6,475	$2,475
$550,000	$7,475	$3,475
$675,000	$9,975	$5,975
$790,000	$12,275	$8,275
$1,000,000	$16,475	$12,475

Cottages and cabins count as single family residences under the Act, and the zoning designation of the land does not change that (Ontario Ministry of Finance).

Mortgage Default Insurance on a $675,000 Purchase

If your down payment is under 20%, insurance is mandatory. The premium is added to your mortgage, but the 8% Ontario retail sales tax on the premium has to be paid in cash on closing day.

Down payment	Mortgage amount	Premium rate	Premium added to mortgage	8% Ontario RST due at closing
5% ($33,750)	$641,250	4.00%	$25,650	$2,052
10% ($67,500)	$607,500	3.10%	$18,833	$1,507
15% ($101,250)	$573,750	2.80%	$16,065	$1,285
20% ($135,000)	$540,000	None	$0	$0

Premium tiers from CalcCanada and FinancialTools. Minimum down payment rules are 5% on the first $500,000, 10% on the portion from $500,000 to $999,999, and 20% at $1 million and above.

A Worked Buyer Example

A $675,000 purchase with 20% down:

Line	Amount
Down payment	$135,000
Ontario land transfer tax	$9,975
Lawyer, fee and disbursements	$2,200
Home inspection	$600
Lender appraisal	$500
Property tax and utility adjustments	$800
Moving	$1,500
Closing costs excluding the down payment	$15,575, or 2.31% of the purchase price
Total cash needed on closing day	$150,575

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What Drives These Costs Up or Down Around Peterborough?

This is where a local number beats a national average.

Rural and township properties cost more to close. A home on a private road, a fire route, or a lot in Douro-Dummer, Selwyn, Cavan Monaghan, Otonabee-South Monaghan or Trent Lakes usually needs a septic inspection and a well test that a city home does not. That is another $500 to $1,500 in due diligence, and it is money well spent, because a replacement septic system costs many times more than the inspection.

Waterfront adds layers. Shore road allowance ownership, boathouse and dock compliance, water access, road maintenance agreements, and flood or ice-damage history all need checking. Waterfront also sells at a different price point. Kawartha Lakes averaged $702,431 in July 2026 compared with $674,834 across Peterborough County (Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® / CREA), and true waterfront usually sits above both.

Older housing stock raises inspection and insurance costs. Peterborough has a large stock of pre-1960 homes. Knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing, 60-amp panels, oil tanks and older roofs can all trigger insurer conditions before closing, which sometimes forces repairs on a deadline.

Your closing date changes your adjustments. Peterborough bills property tax in four instalments, with 2026 interim dates of March 31 and May 29 and final dates of July 31 and September 30 (City of Peterborough). If the seller has already paid past the closing date, the buyer reimburses the difference on the statement of adjustments. Close right after an instalment and the buyer's adjustment is larger.

Breaking a mortgage is the biggest swing factor for sellers. A three-month interest penalty on a $350,000 mortgage is a manageable number. An interest rate differential penalty on the same mortgage can be many times larger. Ask your lender for a written payout statement before you list, not after you accept an offer.

Market conditions change your prep budget. Peterborough County homes averaged 37 days on market in July 2026 with 419 new listings against 197 sales (Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® / CREA). When there is that much choice, presentation and pricing carry more weight, and the money you put into cleaning, paint and photography works harder.

Condos have their own cost. The status certificate is capped at $100 including all taxes and must be delivered within 10 days of the request (Condo Authority of Ontario). Your lawyer's review of it is a separate charge and is worth every dollar.

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What Will Property Tax Actually Cost After You Move In?

Peterborough's 2026 final residential tax rate is 1.8892540%, made up of 1.7362540% municipal and 0.1530000% education (City of Peterborough).

Here is the part that confuses almost every buyer: the rate applies to your MPAC assessed value, not to what you just paid. Ontario assessments are still based on frozen valuations, so assessed values across the city are far below current market prices. Council's 2026 budget discussion used a median assessed household value of $260,000 (Arthur Newspaper), which at the 2026 rate works out to roughly $4,910 per year.

The all-inclusive rate increase for 2026 came in at 6.56%, covering municipal tax, education tax and the sanitary sewer surcharge (kawarthaNOW, City of Peterborough). Township rates differ from the city, so confirm the rate for the specific municipality you are buying in.

Never budget from the seller's current tax bill alone. Ask for the actual bill, then check the rate for that municipality.

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How to Read a Listing Agreement or a Legal Quote

Four questions clear up most confusion:

1. Is the commission quoted before or after HST? Almost always before. Add 13% to see the real cost.
2. What is included in the commission, and what is billed separately? Professional photography, floor plans, video, drone, print, staging and premium portal placement may be bundled or extra. Get the list in writing.
3. Is the lawyer's number a flat fee or a fee plus disbursements? A $999 quote and a $1,800 quote can end up at the same total once title search, registration, software fees, couriers and title insurance are added. Ask for an estimated total, HST and disbursements included.
4. What is my mortgage penalty, in dollars, on my expected closing date? Only your lender can tell you, and only in writing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to sell a house in Peterborough? Most sellers spend 4% to 6.5% of the sale price. On a $675,000 sale, that is roughly $30,000 to $43,000, with commission plus 13% HST making up the bulk of it. Add a prepayment penalty if you are breaking a closed mortgage term.

What is the average real estate commission in Ontario in 2026? Commission is negotiable and there is no regulated rate. Most 2026 residential resale transactions fall between 3.5% and 5% of the sale price, split between the listing and buying sides, plus 13% HST (ExamAce, WOWA).

Does the buyer pay commission? In most local transactions the seller's listing agreement covers both sides, so the buyer does not write a commission cheque. Buyer representation terms are set out in writing before you start looking, so ask early.

How much is land transfer tax in Peterborough? Only the Ontario provincial tax applies. It is $6,475 on $500,000, $9,975 on $675,000 and $16,475 on $1,000,000. There is no municipal land transfer tax here, unlike Toronto (Ontario Ministry of Finance).

Do first-time buyers pay land transfer tax in Ontario? Yes, but qualifying first-time buyers get a refund of up to $4,000, which eliminates the tax entirely on homes up to $368,000 and reduces it above that. You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, be at least 18, never have owned a home anywhere, and occupy the home as your principal residence within nine months (Ontario Ministry of Finance).

How much are lawyer fees when buying a house in Ontario? Expect $750 to $1,500 in legal fees plus $500 to $1,000 in disbursements, for a total of about $1,500 to $3,000 including HST on a standard residential purchase (Ownright, AG Law).

Is a home inspection worth it on a Kawarthas cottage? Yes, and budget for more than a city inspection. A standard inspection runs $400 to $700, and a rural or waterfront property usually needs a septic inspection at $300 to $900 with a pump-out, plus well water testing and a wood-stove check (RealtyMan, Kawartha Septic).

What will it cost to break my mortgage when I sell? On a variable-rate mortgage the penalty is generally three months' interest. On a fixed-rate mortgage it is the greater of three months' interest or the interest rate differential, which can be much larger. You will also pay a lender discharge fee of up to about $400 and an $85 registration fee (FCAC, Ontario.ca).

Do I pay tax on the profit when I sell? There is no capital gains tax on the sale of a principal residence, though the sale must still be reported. A cottage, rental or second property is taxable, with 50% of the gain added to your income at your marginal rate (Canada Revenue Agency). Speak with your accountant before you list a recreational property.

How much cash do I need to buy a $675,000 home here? With 20% down, roughly $150,000 including closing costs. With 5% down, roughly $52,000, because the smaller down payment is partly offset by the 8% Ontario sales tax on your mortgage insurance premium, which must be paid in cash at closing.

What is the average home price in Peterborough right now? Peterborough County, including the City of Peterborough, averaged $674,834 across 197 sales in July 2026, down 4.8% from $708,815 in June. Kawartha Lakes averaged $702,431 across 122 sales (Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® / CREA).

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Local Resources

Frank Rosso, ABR, SRS — REALTOR®, RE/MAX Hallmark Eastern Realty 91 George Street North, 2nd Floor, Peterborough, ON K9J 7Y8 · 705-933-9688 Serving Peterborough, Lakefield, Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Cavan Monaghan, Trent Lakes and the Kawarthas since 1986.

City of Peterborough — Taxes Current tax rates, instalment dates, pre-authorized payment plans and assessment information. peterborough.ca property tax information

Ontario Ministry of Finance — Land Transfer Tax Official rates, the first-time buyer refund, and Non-Resident Speculation Tax rules. Calculating land transfer tax

Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® Monthly MLS® sales, average prices, new listings and days on market for Peterborough County and Kawartha Lakes. creastats.crea.ca

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Get a Real Number for Your Own Situation

Every one of the ranges above becomes a single number once we look at your actual property, mortgage and timeline. If you are selling, I will prepare a net proceeds estimate with your commission, mortgage payout and closing date built in. If you are buying, I will show you the exact land transfer tax, adjustments and cash-to-close figure for the homes you are considering.

Call or text 705-933-9688, or request a free home evaluation.

Related reading on this site: - Can You Afford to Move in 2026? — bridge financing, carrying two homes and the mortgage stress test - First-Time Homebuyer Guide for Peterborough — FHSA, RRSP Home Buyers' Plan and down payment programs - What Is the Average House Price in Peterborough? — current prices and market direction - Kawarthas Waterfront Cottage Prices in 2026 — what waterfront costs by lake - How Much to Budget for Home Maintenance — ongoing ownership costs after closing - Frank Rosso, REALTOR® and the PeterboroughAgent.com homepage

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Sources

1. Central Lakes Association of REALTORS®, CREA MLS® statistics, July 2026 — https://creastats.crea.ca/board/osha/
2. Ontario Ministry of Finance, Calculating Land Transfer Tax, updated April 22, 2026 — https://www.ontario.ca/document/land-transfer-tax/calculating-land-transfer-tax
3. Ontario Ministry of Finance, Land Transfer Tax Refunds for First-Time Homebuyers, updated February 10, 2026 — http://www.ontario.ca/document/land-transfer-tax/land-transfer-tax-refunds-first-time-homebuyers
4. City of Peterborough, Property Tax Information, 2026 final tax rates — https://www.peterborough.ca/living-in-peterborough/taxes/property-tax-information/
5. City of Peterborough, Paying Your Taxes, 2026 instalment dates — https://www.peterborough.ca/living-in-peterborough/taxes/paying-your-taxes/
6. City of Peterborough, 2026 Budget Adopted — https://www.peterborough.ca/news/posts/city-of-peterborough-2026-budget-adopted/
7. kawarthaNOW, Peterborough council trims 2026 tax increase to 6.56% — https://kawarthanow.com/2025/11/18/peterborough-city-council-trims-2026-tax-increase-to-6-56-by-deferring-projects-and-tapping-reserve-fund/
8. Arthur Newspaper, Budget 2026: median assessed household value — https://www.trentarthur.ca/news/budget-2026-a-brief-picture-of-where-were-at
9. Ontario land registration fee changes effective November 3, 2025 — http://www.ontario.ca/land-registration/2025-07-land-services-fee-changes-effective-november-3-2025
10. Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, Discharging a mortgage — https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/mortgages/mortgage-discharge.html
11. Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, Mortgage prepayment penalties — https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/mortgages/reduce-prepayment-penalties.html
12. Condo Authority of Ontario, Status Certificates — https://www.condoauthorityontario.ca/condo-living/corporate-records/status-certificates/
13. Canada Revenue Agency, Principal residence and other real estate — https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/personal-income/line-12700-capital-gains/principal-residence-other-real-estate.html
14. ExamAce, Real Estate Agent Fees and Commission in Ontario 2026 — https://examace.ca/blog/real-estate-agent-fees-commission-ontario
15. WOWA, Ontario Real Estate Commission Calculator — https://wowa.ca/calculators/commission-calculator-ontario
16. WOWA, Cost of Selling a House in Canada 2026 — https://wowa.ca/calculators/cost-selling-house
17. Ownright, Real estate lawyer fees in Ontario — https://ownright.com/blog/real-estate-law/real-estate-lawyer-fees-in-ontario-whats-included
18. AG Law Firm, Lawyer Fee for House Purchase in Ontario 2026 — https://aglawfirm.ca/lawyer-fee-for-house-purchase/
19. Ownright, Title insurance: what you need to know — https://ownright.com/blog/real-estate-law/title-insurance-what-you-need-to-know
20. WOWA, Title Insurance in Canada — https://wowa.ca/title-insurance-Canada
21. RealtyMan, Home Inspection in Ontario 2026 — https://realtyman.ca/blogs/home-inspection-in-ontario-2026-what-it-covers-what-it-costs-and-how-to-choose-an-inspector/
22. Noble Real Estate, The Home Appraisal Process in Ontario 2026 — https://noblerealestate.ca/the-home-appraisal-process-in-ontario-a-homeowners-2026-guide/
23. CanadianMoneyHelp, CMHC Mortgage Insurance Premium Tiers 2026 — https://canadianmoneyhelp.ca/articles/cmhc-mortgage-insurance-premium/
24. CalcCanada, CMHC Mortgage Insurance Calculator 2026 — https://calccanada.ca/mortgage/cmhc-calculator
25. FinancialTools, CMHC Insurance Calculator 2026 — https://www.financialtools.ca/en/cmhc-insurance-calculator
26. WealthNorth, PST on Mortgage Default Insurance in Canada 2026 — https://wealthnorth.ca/mortgages/closing-cost-calculator/pst-on-mortgage-default-insurance/
27. Kawartha Septic, Septic Inspection Cost Ontario 2026 — https://kawarthaseptic.ca/blog/septic-inspection-cost-ontario/
28. SepticReplacement.ca, Septic Inspection Cost Ontario 2026 — https://septicreplacement.ca/septic-inspection-cost-ontario/
29. Durham Region, 2026 Environmental Laboratory Fees and Charges — https://www.durham.ca/en/resources/Fees--Charges/Fees--Charges-Jan-1-2026-Environmental-Laboratory.pdf
30. LatestCost, Ontario Movers Cost Guide 2026 — https://latestcost.com/ontario-movers-cost-price-factors-savings/
31. Kelly Allan Design, Home Staging Pricing 2026 — https://www.kellyallandesign.com/home-staging-pricing/
32. Stylebite Staging, Is Professional Home Staging Worth It in 2026 — https://stylebitestaging.com/is-professional-home-staging-worth-it-toronto-2026/

This guide is general information for the Peterborough and Kawarthas market and is not legal, tax or mortgage advice. Confirm your own numbers with your lawyer, lender and accountant.