Who Pays Real Estate Fees? (2024)

Most people who buy or sell a home do so with the help of a licensed real estate agent. These professionals know their local markets, have superior negotiating skills, and can generally make the entire buying and selling process easier. In exchange for their expertise, real estate agents earn a commission. Here's a look at how real estate commissions work and who pays these fees.

  • Real estate commissions are always negotiable but are often between 4% and 6%.
  • If two agents work on a real estate transaction—one for the buyer and one for the seller—the commission is usually split down the middle.
  • The real estate brokerage takes a cut of the commission to help pay for things like advertising and office space.

How Do Real Estate Commissions Work?

Real estate agents and brokers typically don't charge buyers and sellers by the hour. Instead, they take a cut of the sales price—in the form of a commission.

The contracts that buyers and sellers have with their agents determine the agents' commissions. The real estate fee is often split evenly between the buyer and seller agents, although a contract could stipulate that one agent receives more of the commission than the other.

The terms realtor, real estate agent, and broker are often used interchangeably, but they differ. Agents and brokers have different levels of licensing, and either can become a realtor by joining the National Association of Realtors.

The fee doesn't go straight to the real estate agents, however. It first goes to the listing and selling brokers. That's because real estate agents must work for and under the umbrella of a broker, and the brokers take a cut of the real estate fees to cover costs such as advertising, sign rentals, and office space.

Each broker then splits the amount with the agent, sometimes 50/50, but it could be any amount upon which the broker and agent have agreed. So, a 5% commission would break down as follows, assuming a 50/50 split across the board:

  • Listing broker: 1.25%
  • Selling broker: 1.25%
  • Seller's agent: 1.25%
  • Buyer's agent: 1.25%

On a $200,000 sale, each broker and agent would receive $2,500.

How Much Is a Real Estate Commission?

Real estate commissions are always negotiable—otherwise, agents would be in violation of state and federal antitrust laws—so they vary. Though 6% has traditionally been regarded as the standard fee, commissions typically fall between 4% and 5% nowadays. The average real estate commission in 2020 was 4.94%, according to research firm RealTrends.

Keep in mind that the commission represents a percentage of the home's selling price—so the exact fee won't be known until an offer is accepted and the house is sold.

Who Pays the Real Estate Commission?

Precisely who pays a real estate agent's commission is where things get a little tricky. Standard practice is that the seller pays the fee. However, the seller usually wraps the fee into the price of the home. So, the buyer ultimately ends up paying the fee, albeit indirectly.

Let's say, for example, that a buyer and seller (each with a real estate agent) agree to a deal on a home for $200,000. Assuming the real estate commission is 5%, the fee would be $10,000 ($200,000 x 0.05). The fee comes out of the cost of the home—it is not added to the sale price. So, although the buyer would pay $200,000, the seller would receive $190,000 from the sale. (This is an overly simplified example as closing costs and other fees would apply.)

Are Real Estate Commissions Worth It?

One of the biggest contentions about real estate fees is that they are too high, or that the service real estate agents deliver isn't worth the cost.

If a home sells on the first day it's listed, the seller's agent could make a tidy sum for relatively little work—such as taking photos, setting a listing price, and putting the home on the market. However, on the flip side, a home can also take weeks, months, or in the case of very unique or expensive houses, years to sell.

For the seller's agent, this can add up to many hours spent marketing the home, holding open houses, taking phone calls, and staying abreast of other listings and sales in the neighborhood. That agent will also bear the long-term cost of keeping the house on the market, including signage and advertising fees. If you look at it this way, not many sellers would want to take the risk of paying a real estate agent by the hour.

The same goes for buyers. Some will find a house immediately, while others will look at dozens of homes—over weeks or months—before settling on one. If buyers had to pay an agent by the hour, they would likely feel rushed into making a decision.

Flat-Fee Real Estate

Of course, there are listing agents who work for a flat fee—such as $100 or $500. This can obviously benefit sellers (and ultimately buyers) in terms of cost savings, but the drawback is that these agents may offer limited representation.

A traditional real estate agent will be your partner throughout the entire homebuying or selling process. A seller's agent will help you stage your home, take professional photos, get your home on a multiple listing service, advertise, schedule and host open houses, and negotiate on your behalf.

Similarly, buyer's agents will help you determine your must-haves, find the right property, take you to showings, negotiate offers, and recommend other professionals (such as a home inspector).

Flat-fee or discount brokerages may cost less, but you could end up getting what you paid for. Still, there are full-service agents who work for a lower commission or flat fee. If you decide to go this route, be sure to find out ahead of time which services the agent offers to make sure that what you will get matches your expectations.

The Bottom Line

Most buyers and sellers work with real estate agents. In exchange for their work, agents receive a percentage of the sales price known as the commission. Though it's the seller who is usually on the hook for the commission, the cost is generally factored into the listing price of the home. In this way, the buyer ultimately bears the cost of any real estate fees.

Keep in mind that commissions are always negotiable. If you're concerned about high fees, two options to consider are using a flat-fee or discount broker or doing a for-sale-by-owner sale. Alternatively, the best real estate websites can potentially enable potential buyers to search for a home without having to engage with a real estate agent at all.

Who Pays Real Estate Fees? (2024)

FAQs

Who pays transaction fees? ›

A credit card transaction fee is charged to the merchant or vendor, not the cardholder. Businesses pay the card transaction fees to the credit card issuer or payment processor company.

Who determines the amount of commission to be earned in a real estate transaction? ›

The contracts that buyers and sellers have with their agents determine the agents' commissions. The real estate fee is often split evenly between the buyer and seller agents, although a contract could stipulate that one agent receives more of the commission than the other.

Does the seller agree to pay a commission if the broker? ›

The seller retains the right to sell the property without obligation to the broker. However, the seller is obligated to pay a commission to the broker if the broker is the procuring cause of the sale.

What percentage do most realtors charge? ›

The traditional standard commission is 6 percent of a home's purchase price, which is split evenly (3 percent each) between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent. However, the typical percentage has been lowering over the years, and the average Realtor commission is 5.37 percent according to Clever.

Who bears transaction costs? ›

Transaction costs are expenses a company or person incurs during the buying and selling process. Besides the price of a product or service, the buyer often pays a transaction cost to a bank or broker for the service it provides.

How are transaction fees paid? ›

Transaction fees are one of the ways a financial services provider can charge customers for using an account or a payment card. Account holders pay a small fee each time they ask the issuing bank or account provider to process a transaction cost.

Who directly pays the real estate salesperson his her commission in a typical transaction? ›

While the seller is the one who technically pays commission fees, they don't pay the commission until after they've received their home sale proceeds. So, it's ultimately the buyer who brings the necessary funds to pay agent commissions to the closing table.

Who usually compensates the broker under a listing agreement with a commission or fee for having successfully performed the service for which the broker was employed? ›

The principal is liable for compensating the broker by paying the specified fee on completion of the broker's duties. This means that the principal must pay a commission or fee when the broker has performed the broker's portion of the listing agreement and produced a buyer who is ready, willing, and able to purchase.

Who gets the sales commission? ›

A sales commission is the compensation paid to a person based on the number of sales generated. Most salespeople receive their salary in two parts: the fixed and the variable component. This variable pay is usually the commission per sale.

What is the difference between a brokerage fee and a commission? ›

A brokerage fee is a charge that a broker takes to execute any financial transaction on behalf of their clients whereas a commission is a type of brokerage that they charge for stock trading.

How do you prove that the broker is entitled to a commission? ›

A broker is entitled to a commission if her efforts are “the efficient cause, but not necessarily the sole cause of a series of unbroken, continuous events, which culminate in the accomplishment of the objective of the employment.” Williston on Contracts Section 62:19.

Does commission imply payment? ›

A sales commission is a sum of money paid to an employee upon completion of a task, usually selling a certain amount of goods or services. Employers sometimes use sales commissions as incentives to increase worker productivity. A commission may be paid in addition to a salary or instead of a salary.

How much do top 1% realtors make? ›

Each real estate office sets its own standards for top producers, but it's safe to say that a top producer would have to sell at least one home per month to qualify. Top producers earn around $112,610 a year to start, according to the BLS. 1 Mega-stars could earn $500,000 per year and up.

What is a good profit margin for realtors? ›

Since these situations describe most solo real estate agents, the target allocation percentages should be as follows: 5 percent for profit, 50 percent for compensation, 15 percent for taxes, and 30 percent for your expenses.

What percentage do most realtors get for selling a house? ›

Costs, Who Pays, and How to Save in 2022. The average realtor commission in California is 4.92% of a home's sale price. That's significantly lower than the national average commission of 5.49%.

What are the 4 transaction costs? ›

According to theory, there are four main types of transaction costs namely, bargaining costs, opportunity costs, search costs, and policing/enforcement costs.

What is the best way to avoid transaction fees? ›

Apply for a credit card or checking account that offers zero transaction fees and/or ATM rebates well before your trip to make sure there's sufficient time to receive a credit card or account approval and obtain a new credit or debit card by mail.

What are the three main transaction costs? ›

There are three primary types of transaction costs: search and information, bargaining, and enforcement.

What is a standard transaction fee? ›

Credit card processing fees will typically cost a business 1.5% to 3.5% of each transaction's total. For a sale of $100, that means you could pay $1.50 to $3.50 in credit card fees.

What is the average payment transaction fee? ›

The average credit card processing fee ranges between 1.5% and 3.5%. Just where do all these fees come from, and what can a merchant do to minimize them?

What is the formula for transaction fees? ›

Transaction Cost Formula

To calculate the cost per transaction, divide the cost of all transactions by the number of transactions.

Who is the offeree in a real estate transaction? ›

Keep in mind that the buyer always makes the offer first in a real estate transaction. So, when the offer is made, the buyer is the offeror or the giver of the offer. Likewise, the seller receives the offer upfront, so the seller is called the offeree, or the receiver.

Who is the agent's principal in a real estate transaction? ›

An agent, known as the fiduciary, and a buyer or seller, called the principal, form a fiduciary relationship in real estate when they work together on a real estate transaction. In representing the buyer, the buyer's agent has to prioritize the buyer's interests before those of the agent or the seller.

Can salespersons can receive commissions directly from a property seller? ›

The most important thing to know about being a salesperson is that you may only be paid directly by your sponsoring broker. It is illegal for you to collect a commission or fees directly from a client, and it's also not allowed for you to be paid from a different brokerage that does not hold your license.

What is the commission structure for a broker? ›

The typical Broker commission split is 50/50 between the agent and the brokerage. For experienced agents making over a certain amount of commission, the commission split can step up to 70% in favor of the agent. This traditional brokerage model relies on the agent sourcing all of their leads, clients, and business.

Why do brokers charge commissions? ›

Full-service brokers are paid commissions. These fees are based on the transactions they execute for their clients. At a full-service broker, you pay a premium for research, education, and advice.

What is the amount of commission to be paid to a broker upon successful completion? ›

Real estate agents receive income through commissions paid directly to brokers upon successful completion of home sales. The typical commission is 5% to 6% of the home's listing price, though this number can sometimes vary from 1% to 10% depending on the specific agreement.

What are the 3 types of commission? ›

COMMISSIONS
  • COMMISSIONS. Straight | Graduated | Piecework | End of Page.
  • Straight Commission. Straight Commission is calculated to be the person's wage based solely on sales. ...
  • Graduated Commission. Graduated Commission is calculated into a person's pay in addition to his/her regular salary or wage. ...
  • Piecework Commission.

What is the average commission for a sales agent? ›

What is the typical sales commission percentage? The industry average for sales commission typically falls between 20% and 30% of gross margins. At the low end, sales professionals may earn 5% of a sale, while straight commission structures allow a 100% commission.

What is a good commission structure? ›

We recommend a 50/50 split, where 50% of a rep's payout comes from their base salary while the other half comes from sales earnings. We've also seen organizations adopt a 60/40 ratio. In this ratio, the base salary makes up 60% of the rep's OTE, and the remaining 40% consists of variable pay.

Are fees and commissions the same thing? ›

A commission is a percentage of the total transaction amount that is paid to the broker as compensation for their services. For example, if you're buying stock, the commission would be a percentage of the total purchase price. On the other hand, a fee is a flat rate that is charged for services rendered.

Is a commission the same as a fee? ›

Fee-based advisors usually charge their clients a flat rate (or an "à la carte" rate), while commission-based advisors are compensated by commissions earned from financial transactions and product sales.

What is an example of a brokerage fee? ›

Example of a Brokerage Fee

An investor asks his broker to buy $100 shares of stock in Company ABC on behalf of the investor. The price of the stock is $15/share, so the total expenditure is $1,500. The broker charges a brokerage fee of 2%, so the fee is $30, which is calculated as $1,500 x . 02 = $30.

How do no commission brokers make money? ›

The method behind zero-commission trading is the use of order flow arrangements with third part liquidity providers. Zero-commission brokers would have agreements to direct their customer trade orders to specific providers in exchange for a commission/fee based on volume.

What requires all assurances to pay a broker fee to be in writing? ›

However, all assurances of a broker fee on a real estate transaction are required by the statute of frauds to be in writing and signed by the person who agreed to pay a fee to entitle the broker to enforce collection. This is the case whether or not the broker performs as agreed.

How is the maximum commission rate a broker may charge established? ›

D Explanation: There are no legal limits on commission rates. They are determined by agreement between the broker and the principal.

What are the disadvantages of commission? ›

The downside of commission-only pay in particular is that it offers less income security for employees. In some cases, it may even lead to aggressive behaviour that could land your company in hot water. This was the experience of private vocational education providers who paid agents by commission to sign up students.

What are the disadvantages of commission pay? ›

Disadvantage: Unpredictable Expenses

However, the uncertainty with commission pay can lead to budget challenges, especially if you sell on account to buyers. If you pay commissions shortly after the purchase but don't collect payments for an extended period, you have a lack of alignment in revenue and compensation.

When should someone pay for a commission? ›

Companies usually pay commission monthly, quarterly or annually. A business may want to wait until the sales contract is signed and finalized and they receive funds to pay out the commission.

Where do realtors make the most money? ›

The following are the 10 states where real estate agents earn, on average, the most money:
  • New York: $111,800 (average real estate agent salary)
  • Massachusetts: $84,180.
  • Connecticut: $79,780.
  • Alaska: $79,360.
  • Colorado: $76,850.
  • Utah: $75,170.
  • California: $74,140.
  • Texas: $72,830.
Jul 28, 2020

What percentage do most realtors take? ›

The traditional standard commission is 6 percent of a home's purchase price, which is split evenly (3 percent each) between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent. However, the typical percentage has been lowering over the years, and the average Realtor commission is 5.37 percent according to Clever.

What commission do most realtors get? ›

Typically, real estate commission is 5%–6% of the home's sale price. In most areas, the buyer's agent receives 2.5%–3% in commission and the seller's agent receives 2.5%-3% in commission. This can vary by agent and location.

What is the 7% rule in real estate? ›

The top 7% are hustlers. If they don't know something, they'll learn it. If the heat is on, they'll put in the extra hours to make it happen. You don't have to know everything, everyone, have all the money, or talent, but if you'll apply those two principles, you'll do very well in real estate.

What is the profit rule in real estate? ›

What Is The 1% Rule In Real Estate? The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of the investment property against the gross income it will generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must be equal to or no less than 1% of the purchase price.

What is the average real estate flip profit? ›

Home-flipping returns by state
StateGross Profit, Q1 2022Gross ROI, Q1 2022
Arkansas$45,00034.60%
California$92,50016.10%
Colorado$58,10013.10%
Connecticut$86,56840.60%
45 more rows
Jul 20, 2022

How many houses do most realtors sell a year? ›

So How Many Houses Does a Realtor Really Sell Each Year? Only a small number of realtors sell more than a hundred homes a year, and the majority sell anywhere between 2-10 homes a year. Further, first-year or those just starting as realtors usually sell the least number of homes.

Do sellers usually go for highest offer? ›

The answer is often “no.” Conventional wisdom might suggest that during negotiations, especially in a multiple-offer situation, the buyer who throws the most money at the seller will snag the house. In reality, however, it doesn't always end up that way.

What is Keller Williams commission split? ›

What is the Keller Williams Commission Split? Every agent is on a 70/30 commission split with Keller Williams Realty. That's 70% to the agent and 30% to the local office/brokerage. KW is a franchise, and a franchise fee (6% on each transaction up to $3,000) is included in this calculation.

Do businesses pay transaction fees? ›

Credit card processing fees are the fees that a business must pay every time it accepts a credit card payment. There are multiple types of fees associated with each transaction, and fees can vary depending on the type of credit card accepted.

Who should pay credit card transaction fee? ›

Merchants pay the interchange fee. Most small businesses say they don't want to charge the fee, but with a card provider taking $2 of a $100 sale, they have little option but to levy the surcharge, even if it costs them customers.

Can I charge the customer the transaction fee? ›

Credit card surcharges are legal in the U.S., except in states which prohibit them (more on that below). If a business chooses to add a credit card payment surcharge, it must clearly disclose the fee before you pay as a separate line item on the receipt.

What is a transaction fees? ›

Transaction Fees is a type of a fee when the client needs to pay every moment it processes an electronic payment. Transaction Fees can vary among the services. On average, the fee is a proportion of the amount of the transfers fulfilled.

Why do transaction fees exist? ›

The fees are paid to credit card processors and card-issuing banks to cover the costs associated with handling the transaction. Merchant fees exist because credit card processing is a service. Like any other service, the entities involved must be compensated for their role in the process.

How can a business account avoid transaction fees? ›

How to avoid paying business banking fees and charges?
  1. Prefer online banking. Online banking is a no-brainer as most businesses have shifted to online banking solutions. ...
  2. Beware of the transaction limitations. ...
  3. Decline overdraft protection. ...
  4. Go for email statements.

Is it legal to charge a credit card transaction fee? ›

If you're wondering if it is legal to charge credit card fees, the short answer is yes. The practice of surcharging was outlawed for several decades until 2013 when a class action lawsuit permitted merchants in several U.S. states to implement surcharges in their businesses.

How much does Square take per transaction? ›

What are your fees? The Square standard processing fee is 2.6% + 10¢ for contactless payments, swiped or inserted chip cards, and swiped magstripe cards. Payments that are manually keyed-in, processed using Card on File, or manually entered using Virtual Terminal have a 3.5% + 15¢ fee.

How much do credit card companies make on transaction fees? ›

Interchange. Every time you use a credit card, the merchant pays a processing fee equal to a percentage of the transaction. The portion of that fee sent to the issuer via the payment network is called “interchange,” and is usually about 1% to 3% of the transaction.

Can you avoid transaction fees? ›

You can avoid all transaction fees by paying for your purchases in cash while you're abroad. Banks and currency exchange stores will exchange U.S. dollars for most major currencies, and you can do this before you leave.

How do you explain a fee to a customer? ›

Example 1: “Our costs have increased, but we want to continue providing great service. To help offset these costs, the items you purchase come with a small service fee.

How do I charge a square fee to a customer? ›

Go to Account & Settings on your online Square Dashboard. Click Business information > Service charges > Create service charge. Name your charge, choose a percentage-based or fixed-price service charge, then enter the amount of the charge. Select the location where the charge applies and add any applicable taxes.

What is an example of transaction fee? ›

Examples of common transaction costs are labor, transportation, broker fees, bank charges, commissions, etc. The nature and magnitude of transaction costs vary in different business scenarios. Nevertheless, these costs play a huge role in business management and economic growth.

What are the different types of transaction fees? ›

There are four main types of per-transaction fees: interchange fees, terminal fees, tiered fees, and subscription fees.

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