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What is an agent’s commission fee?

What is an agent's commission fee?

Asked by Anonymous| 05-31-2021| 3,545 views|Working With an Agent|Updated 5 months ago

Answers (11)

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Anna PalaszNovice7 Answers
Anna Palasz

Ania Real Estate and Property Management LLC · Florida, NY

Commission is always negotiable and every Realtor is bound by their Code of Ethics among other things to help You sell Your Home. A Realtor should be able to disclose and even sign off as to what they are going to do for their commission and do just that. If they don't, You have grounds to change Your Realtor. In this market and if the pricemar is right, most Realtors don't even have time to fully market the property as offers are submitted same day as listing. Feel free to reach out if You have any questions!
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06-22-2021 (4 years ago)··
Steven HuntSemi-Pro60 Answers
Steven Hunt

Real Broker NY LLC · NEW YORK, NY

(40 reviews)
It varies. Mine is 6%. Many agents offer different amounts of service. I really care about my client and want to make as much money for them as possible. I go above and beyond when it comes to helping my client. I make sure they have professional photos, maximum exposure from MLS and some of my own marketing paid by me upfront, open house first weekend and much more. I recommend interviewing many agents and find out the pros and cons then choose one.
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12-25-2021 (4 years ago)··
Hector GastelumRising Star12 Answers
Hector Gastelum

The Gastelum Organization · Chula Vista, CA

I am a firm believer in Capitalism! Usually discount brokers who charge you 1% (0.5% to them/0.5% to the buyer's agent) will sell a home for less and will stay longer in the market as opposed to an agent like me who charges you 6% (3% for each agent) and I will make sure to get squeeze every possible dollar and then some from a buyer's agent who want to get paid more on my listing. You get what you pay for, but my system nets you more dollars at closing.
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06-16-2021 (4 years ago)··
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Karen FunkNovice4 Answers
Karen Funk

1st Choice Realty & Associates Inc · Citrus Heights, CA

(20 reviews)
The seller agrees to pay a commission, usually a percentage of the final sales price, to the listing broker, who then agrees to pay a cooperating broker ( buyers agent) a percentage of their commission, spelled out in the listing agreement and on MLS. This fee is payment to the agents for representing either the seller or the buyer, and it's how we get paid when a house is sold, Like most everything else, the commission rate is negotiable at the time of listing, and is not a part of the purchase contract between seller and buyer and therefore not negotiated in the sale of the property.
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06-02-2021 (4 years ago)··
Barrett Henry

RE/MAX Collective · Tampa, FL

(6 reviews)
An agent's commission fee is the percentage of the sale price that the agent earns for their services in the transaction. It's negotiable between you and your agent and is spelled out in your listing agreement or buyer representation agreement before any work begins. Historically, total commission on a home sale has been around 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the listing agent's side and the buyer agent's side. Each agent then splits their portion with their brokerage according to their individual agreement. Since the NAR settlement in 2024, the structure has shifted. Sellers negotiate their listing agent's fee directly. Buyer agent compensation is no longer automatically offered through the MLS. Buyers may negotiate their agent's fee separately, and in some cases sellers still offer buyer agent compensation as an incentive to attract showings. The actual rate you pay depends on your market, the agent, the price of the home, and what services are included. There is no fixed or legally mandated commission rate. It's always been negotiable, and it's more openly negotiable now than ever.
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03-27-2026 (3 weeks ago)··
Jason Craig

Coldwell Banker · Westwood, MA

Real estate agent commissions are not a fixed, government‑mandated fee—they are a negotiated payment for the professional service you receive. In a traditional residential sale the total commission is often around 5–6% of the final sale price. That figure is then split between the listing brokerage (who represents the seller) and the cooperating brokerage (who brings the buyer) and further divided between the companies and the individual agents. For sellers, the commission covers the agent’s consultation on pricing and preparing the home, professional photos and marketing, exposure on the MLS and third‑party sites, open houses and showings, contract negotiations, and guidance through inspections, appraisal and closing. A good agent invests a considerable amount of time and money up front to market your property, and they are only paid if the sale closes. On the buyer side, it’s customary for the seller to offer a cooperating commission to the buyer’s agent as compensation for bringing a qualified buyer and managing that side of the transaction. Buyers typically do not write a separate check for their agent; instead the buyer’s agent is paid out of the total commission the seller agreed to. Commissions are always negotiable. In some markets you may see lower or higher percentages, and there are discount and flat‑fee brokerages that offer limited service for a lower fee. The right structure for you will depend on your goals, the market, and the level of service you expect. When interviewing agents, don’t be afraid to ask exactly what services are included and how the commission is structured so you can make an informed decision.
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09-28-2025 (6 months ago)··
Jeremy NavarroRising Star18 Answers
Jeremy Navarro

Jeremy Navarro Realty Group Keller Williams Realty · Albuquerque, NM

(163 reviews)
Agent commission is always negotiable. An agent’s commission fee is the payment a real estate agent earns for helping buy or sell a home, typically a percentage of the sale price agreed on upfront. In most cases, the seller pays the total commission, which is then split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, but the rate and structure can vary depending on the service and agreement.
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03-24-2026 (3 weeks ago)··
Shirley Russell

Chase International · South Lake Tahoe, CA

(5 reviews)
A real estate agent’s commission is typically a percentage of the final home’s sale price, usually 5–6% total, split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. However, commission is negotiable. It’s not a fixed fee what you pay depends on your agreement.
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03-17-2026 (1 month ago)··
Penn HendersonNovice6 Answers
Penn Henderson

NextHome Paradise Realty · Kailua Kona, HI

(34 reviews)
Great question, Mike, and one that's worth understanding clearly, especially with some recent changes in the industry. The basics: Real estate commissions are not set by law and are always negotiable. Traditionally, total commission has ranged from 5 to 6% of the sale price, typically split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. What changed recently: As of 2024, new NAR (National Association of Realtors) rules changed how buyer's agent compensation is handled. Buyers and their agents now negotiate compensation directly and separately, rather than it being automatically built into the seller's side. This has created more transparency and flexibility across the board. What I charge: On the Big Island, I charge a minimum of 2.5 to 3% depending on the property. That covers full-service representation: professional photography, marketing, MLS exposure, negotiations, transaction coordination, and everything in between. No shortcuts, no outsourcing your listing. How to think about it: Commission is an investment, not just a cost. A well-represented listing typically sells faster and for more money than one that isn't. The net result, even after commission, is usually better with a full-service agent than going the discount route. The bigger picture: Every transaction is different. Price point, property type, and market conditions all factor in. The best thing you can do is have a direct conversation with your agent upfront so there are no surprises. Thinking about buying or selling on the Big Island? Let's talk: https://pennhenderson.com/buying https://pennhenderson.com/selling Mahalo, Penn
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03-13-2026 (1 month ago)··
Jorge SousaNovice4 Answers
Jorge Sousa

Platinum Homes Land Realty · Ocala, FL

Real estate commissions typically range from 5% to 6% of the home's final sale price, though they are fully negotiable by law. Following a major 2024 legal settlement, the way these fees are paid and disclosed has fundamentally changed. Prior to August 2024, the seller almost always paid the total 6% fee, which was split between both agents. Under the new NAR rules: Sellers are primarily responsible for their own listing agent's fee. Buyers must now sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes, specifying the exact fee they will pay. Negotiation: Buyers can still negotiate for the seller to cover their agent's fee as a "seller concession" in the final purchase offer.
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03-11-2026 (1 month ago)··
Nelene GibbsNovice2 Answers
Nelene Gibbs

Gibbs Realty Group · Chesapeake, VA

(9 reviews)
All real estate brokerage fees are negotiable. There is no set fee.
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11-21-2025 (4 months ago)··
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