In Ontario, real estate commissions are paid directly to the real estate brokerage that listed a home for sale (the ‘listing brokerage’) - not the individual agent you are working with. A REALTOR should never ask you to pay them directly.  In most cases, the seller’s real estate lawyer subtracts the amount of commission owed from the money received from the Buyer on closing, and pays the listing brokerage directly. Once received, the brokerage pays the listing agent and the buyer’s agent.