If you’ve landed on this page, chances are you’re thinking about selling your home. And you’ve started to realize there’s more than one way to pay a real estate agent.
You’ve probably heard the terms “low commission,” “1% REALTOR®,” or maybe even stumbled across us by name. And if you’re like most sellers, you may be wondering:
“What’s the actual difference between a traditional agent and a low commission one? And what do I actually get for that extra fee?”
You’re not alone. Real estate commissions are notoriously confusing. It's a topic full of vague explanations and outdated justifications.
At Black Sheep Realty, we aim to cut through the fluff. Our mission is simple:
Deliver everything you’d expect from a top-tier, full-service brokerage at a fraction of the cost.
We don’t cut corners. Just commissions.
We’re confident in what we offer: marketing, negotiations, listings, photography, guidance, support, and everything in between. We do what traditional agents do (often more), for thousands less.
But we get it. That sounds like marketing talk. So let’s dig deeper.
This article answers the most common questions we get from sellers just like you:
No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clear info so you can decide what fits you best.
Contact us for a free home valuation!
In short, we consistently provide an extremely high level of marketing for every property we list.
Regardless of price point or area, our clients receive the full range of marketing services for their home. In our 1% package, this includes:
At Black Sheep Realty, our philosophy is simple: no BS. Do what works to sell a home, and charge homeowners a fee model that makes sense.
Not only do we provide a high level of marketing and service for a fraction of the cost, but a major point of pride for our brokerage is that we offer a clearly defined and consistent listing package.
Every home we list receives the same core marketing support, regardless of:
No matter what you are selling, you receive the type of marketing you would expect to see on HGTV-style real estate shows.
By contrast, some other brokerages adjust their marketing based on sale price, home type, or location.
Black Sheep Realty:
Traditional Agents:
Fair question, and the answer is a resounding yes.
Will your home be on the Association’s MLS® System? Yes.
Will it be on REALTOR.ca? Yes.
Are they the same thing? Kind of.
Technically, that’s the end of this section, and you could skip to the next one. However, if you are curious about how the MLS® system actually works, it is worth clearing up a few common misconceptions:
One line we share with almost all of our clients is:
“There’s no secret sauce.”
All REALTORS® across Canada have access to the same Multiple Listing Service®, and the same centralized data feed that powers REALTOR.ca.
No brokerage has special access. No company has a hidden database. No one gets “extra” exposure.
Without getting too technical, here is how it works in simple terms:
Each city’s MLS® system is administered by the local real estate board
All local MLS® systems feed into a centralized national database
That centralized feed powers REALTOR.ca
REALTOR.ca then feeds into most major home search websites
Because of this structure, nearly every real estate website in Canada is showing the same listings from the same source.
There can be some confusion because there are so many home search websites.
However, they are all pulling from the same feed.
When you look at REALTOR.ca, you are seeing all active listings on the market. Other platforms simply display that same data in different formats.
There is no “premium” feed. There is no upgraded tier. There is no hidden distribution network.
When you list with Black Sheep Realty, your home is placed on:
The Association’s MLS® System
REALTOR.ca
And thousands of connected home search websites in the Edmonton area
Your listing receives the same baseline exposure as any traditional brokerage.
In fact, the efficiency and transparency of Canada’s listing infrastructure is part of what allows companies like ours to operate at a lower cost in the first place.
Black Sheep Realty:
Traditional Agents:
The bottom line:
There is only one primary listing feed in Canada. All licensed agents access the same system. Your home appears in the same places regardless of who you list with.
We are a full-service real estate brokerage, meaning we provide 100 percent of the service you should expect from any traditional real estate agent.
Our consistent listing package ensures that we deliver a high level of service across every property we list. More importantly, you do not have to do anything yourself.
From start to finish, we guide you through the entire process.
We are local agents with boots on the ground in Edmonton.
You do not have to call a 1-800 number or navigate a call centre to reach someone. You receive our direct work cell numbers and speak with the people actually handling your transaction.
This also differs from sell-by-owner models and some low commission companies, where sellers may be responsible for:
With us, that responsibility stays with our team.
We actively seek feedback from every showing.
While not every buyer’s agent provides feedback, when it is available, we share it with you and use it to guide pricing, presentation, and strategy.
Typically, we make two to three attempts to collect feedback after each showing. Speaking purely from experience, this is often more than what many higher-cost agents consistently do.
This process helps ensure you are informed and supported throughout the listing period.
Black Sheep Realty:
Traditional Agents:
The amount you save depends on the final sale price of your home.
In most cases, our low commission plans save sellers:
For a visual breakdown, you can also view our commission calculator page.
By contrast, some other brokerages adjust their marketing based on sale price, home type, or location.
Black Sheep Realty:
Traditional Agents:
This is one of the biggest questions sellers have, and it is an important one.
The short answer is: yes, we have full cooperation with other brokerages.
Why?
Because we consistently recommend offering a competitive cooperating commission to the buyer’s agent.
Offering a fair cooperating commission is part of our philosophy of giving you the most honest and practical advice possible.
Some companies promise additional savings by reducing or limiting buyer-agent commissions. In reality, these savings are:
In many cases, restricting buyer-agent compensation reduces showing activity and interest, which can ultimately hurt your final sale price.
Our priority is always to help you achieve the best overall outcome, not just the lowest possible fee on paper.
Our marketing is focused on attracting buyers and showcasing your property.
At the end of the day, buyers care about:
They generally do not care who the listing agent is.
Strong exposure, professional presentation, and competitive positioning are what drive interest and offers, not internal commission structures.
Black Sheep Realty:
Traditional Agents:
In theory, no.
In practice, we often do more than many agents at traditional brokerages.
Why?
Because our business model is consistent and scalable. That allows us to invest in better systems, stronger marketing, and more comprehensive support, while delivering that same high standard of service to every client.
Rather than relying on high individual commissions, we focus on efficiency, volume, and process. This enables us to provide:
Our goal is not to cut corners. It is to deliver a better version of full-service real estate.
If you are considering selling your home and would like to understand:
We invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation home valuation.
Our consultations are always complimentary, and we are happy to walk you through your options so you can make the best decision for your situation.
At Black Sheep, our philosophy is simple; No BS. Do what works to sell a home and charge home sellers a fee model that makes sense.
Our goal is straightforward; to help you sell your property, have a smooth and positive selling experience, and help you net more from the sale of your property.
We strive to be just what the name implies; the Black Sheep of the industry. Those who go against the grain, stand out from the crowd, and are juuust a little different from the rest, all with the end goal of pushing the real estate business in a positive direction.
Contact
780-993-8036 (call or text)
info@blacksheeprealty.ca
11523 137 Street NW
Edmonton AB
T5M 1N7
Please send conveyancing and invoices to:
info@blacksheeprealty.ca
© 2026 All Rights Reserved
Information Courtesy of Black Sheep Realty. This website is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers already under contract with another brokerage.
REALTOR® , MLS® , and REALTOR.ca are property of the Canadian Real Estate Association. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
"Commission savings" are based on comparing our commissions to a commission of 7% on the first $100,000 and 3% on the balance. "Saving thousands on commissions" is based on comparing our 1% listing fee to a commission of 3.5% on the first $100k and 1.5% of the remaining balance of the sale price + GST. These numbers are used as an example based on their prevalence in the market. Fees are in no way fixed and all commissions are negotiable.
Commissions are negotiable in the province of Alberta. We refer to "traditional agents" and "traditional fees" to describe the 7/3 and 3.5/1.5 fees outlined above, which is a common fee model in the markets in which we operate, but does not in any way insinuate or assume that this is the fee model charged by any given other brokerages.
All commissions are subject to a minimum fee. In Edmonton & surrounding area, we charge 1% of the sale price + GST, or for homes with a list price under $400,000, we charge a flat fee of $4000 + GST on the listing agent side. Our packages are only for Black Sheep Realty as the listing brokerage and does not include cooperating commission to be paid to the buyer's agent.
Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).
BLACK SHEEP REALTY
Sell from 1% Listing Side Commission.
"The People Person's Real Estate People."
