
How Much Commission Do Real Estate Agents Get – It is common knowledge that real estate agents make a percentage of the commission from the sale or purchase of a home. But rates are negotiable and vary based on the broker, home price, market and other factors.
Keep reading for a detailed explanation of how commissions work, answers to common commission questions, and different ways home sellers and buyers can save on commissions and closing costs.
How Much Commission Do Real Estate Agents Get
While the total commission amount agents receive is based on a percentage, the exact percentage varies across markets. Nationally, home sellers can generally expect to pay about 5.75% of the home’s final sales price in total commissions.
Opendoor’s Buyer Agent Commission Advantage — Mike Delprete
In many markets, a total commission of 5.25% or even 5.0% is common, while other markets can see 6% across the board. Whether it’s 5%, 6% or somewhere in between, the final amount is usually split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent and represents the average commission rate in the US. Each agent then pays a “split” to the sponsoring broker, depending on the broker’s compensation structure.
In this structure, the listing agent will keep half of the proceeds (usually between 2.5% and 3%) and then give the other half of the proceeds to the buyer’s agent.
Let’s say you sold your home for $300,000 and worked with a listing agent with a 6% commission. After selling the home, your listing agent would earn $18,000 back in commissions. That profit will then be split with the buyer’s agent leaving each with a $9,000 profit.
As mentioned, it should be noted that while the national average for commission percentages ranges between 5% and 6%, this is not necessarily the case for all agents. Some may charge higher and others lower. Some independent brokers, such as , offer sellers a low 1% listing fee. Do your research and shop around to find an agent whose commission model works best for you.
Real Estate Agent Commission: How Your Agent Gets Paid
Generally, real estate agents are paid by the seller. This money comes from the proceeds from the sale of the home. The full 5-6% home commission is combined for simplicity. The listing agent will keep a portion of the profit while the other portion is given to the buyer’s agent.
Generally, the split is 50-50, meaning the listing agent keeps half of the total commission and the buyer’s agent keeps the other half. For example, if the total commission is 5%, each agent would receive 2.5% of the final sale price of the home. For a $600,000 property, this would be $15,000 for each agent.
You may be wondering “why would the seller pay the buyer’s agent fee?” While it may seem strange at first that a seller would pay for both, it’s important to note that it’s a bit more nuanced than it sounds. The buyer’s agent’s commission fee is factored into the listed price of the home.
In other words, if there is no buyer’s agent involved, it is possible for the home seller to sell the home for 2-3% less than the asking price because they will not have to reimburse the buyer’s agent.
How Much Do You Earn Per Real Estate Hour?
If you sell your home for $500,000 and pay a total of 6% commission, you’ll actually get $470,000 after just paying the realtor’s commissions (excluding other possible closing costs).
As much as agents would like to get the full cut of their sales, commissions usually don’t work that way. Agents rarely work independently, but instead through a brokerage. Brokerage refers to the company they represent and whose branding is on their advertising material. Brokers provide support for the agent and pay expenses associated with real estate transactions.
In return for all that they provide, agents are required to return a certain percentage of their commissions to brokers. This percentage is often 5%-20% of the commission earned for large, national brands like Keller Williams and ReMax. This percentage can vary depending on how long the agent has been with the brokerage or whether the agent has “capped” by paying the broker a pre-defined amount. On the other hand, there are intermediaries where the agent can keep 100% of your commission and own your brand.
While Realtors certainly deserve compensation for the work they do, keep in mind that most of the time you can negotiate the commission rate with your agent or find ways to reduce or offset commissions.
Why Do Real Estate Agents Refuse To Provide Commission Rebates In New York City?
In some situations, sellers may be able to negotiate commission percentages. This includes when home sellers use the same agent to sell their current home and then buy a new one again – similar to a loyalty discount.
Another scenario that presents an opportunity to save on commission is when there is only one agent involved during a home sale. For example, if you are selling your home and the buyer does not bring an agent to the transaction, only one agent is involved. This represents an opportunity to potentially save up to 3% (or half of the total commission).
Lastly, many buyer’s agents will return a portion of the home buyer’s commission to their clients in the form of a consumer rebate – which is surprisingly encouraged by the US Department of Justice. In this scenario, savvy home buyers may be rewarded with a commission refund for doing showings themselves or using an agent on a limited basis.

If you simply want to save money on selling or buying your home, a low commission real estate agent may be your best bet.
What Is The Realtor Commission In New Mexico?
With , sellers save thousands with a 1% listing commission that automatically reduces your total commission to just 4% instead of 6%. Not only that, but you’ll get the same exceptional service and features of a mega brokerage.
If you’re looking to buy a home, you’re in luck. With buyer rebates, home buyers can also receive a portion of their agents’ commission at closing. Whether you’re buying or selling, just imagine what you could do with that extra cash in your pocket. Contact today to connect with a local agent.
In completing insightful research into the realm of real estate agent commissions, it’s important to remember that fee structures can vary, but most real estate agents adhere to national association-influenced practices. While real estate agents’ commissions are often taken as a percentage of the property’s sales price, the amount can differ based on whether the agent is the buyer’s real estate agent or the seller’s agent.
The listing agreement usually outlines the expected commission, with both the seller’s real estate agent and the buyer’s real estate agent potentially earning from the same pot. National average agent commission rates provide a general overview, but individual agent fees may vary based on experience, region and complexity of the real estate deal.
How Much Commission Does A Realtor Make
Real estate brokers, who might supervise real estate agents, can also play a role in determining how commissions are divided. For a standard real estate transaction, agents charge a percentage of the home’s sale price, which is often split between the listing broker and the buyer’s agent’s commission. This arrangement ensures that both buyer and seller have representation, helping to facilitate the real estate transaction. While the commission may seem like just another expense, the expertise and knowledge that real estate agents offer often outweighs the cost, making it a worthwhile investment for both sellers and buyers.
Is it hard to be a real estate agent? The Reality of the Profession October 10, 2023 Is it really that hard to be a real estate agent? The short answer? Yes. We’ll explore why being a real estate agent is no walk in the park.
How To Become A Real Estate Agent With No Experience October 10, 2023 What if we told you that with the right strategies, you can become a successful real estate agent even with no prior experience?
Best Real Estate CRM Sep 26, 2023 Real estate CRM software can be used to track leads, listings, and sales, allowing agents to track their progress, nurture leads, and stay on top of deadlines.
Sarasota Buyer Rebate
How To Get A Real Estate License In Florida Aug 7, 2023 We guide you step by step on how to get your real estate license in Florida. Today we will discuss a rather delicate topic. Forget stories about Realtors walking in after naked people, household disputes or crazy neighbors. The most taboo subject in the real estate industry is commissions and how they are split.
Many agents might be surprised at how the general public thinks they get paid. Based on the buyer and seller comments I hear before, during, and after closing, the perception of how much agents get paid is equally skewed.
In recent years there have been several new business models for making money in the real estate business. Most real estate agents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area (and certainly those who work for large companies) still make their income through commissions based on a percentage of the home’s sale price. They