The average real estate commission

When going into a project as sizable as selling a house, there are a number of costs and considerations to take stock of before taking the plunge. Hands down, one of the largest expenses you’ll face in this process is real estate commission — that is, the amount you pay to a real estate agent for their work in facilitating the buying or selling of a home. In 2024, the national average Realtor commission rate is 5.49%.¹

Unfortunately, average Realtor commission rates are also one of the more difficult variables to project, since commission rates fluctuate over time and can vary widely based on where you live. The good news for you is that, while it’s good to know this average going into the decision to buy or sell, these averages don’t necessarily determine what you’ll end up paying. These rates can be negotiated for a lower rate with your real estate agent — and doing so could save you thousands of dollars.

How does the typical real estate commission work?

When a homeowner decides to sell their property, they solicit the help of a listing agent and work together to arrive at a commission rate that’s agreeable to both parties. This rate is informed by factors like the location of the home, national trends driving the real estate market, and the negotiating terms of both the seller and the agent. The total real estate commission is split between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent, with each agent generally paying a portion of their share to their brokerage.

For example, if you were to sell your home for $300,000 with a 5.49% real estate commission, that would mean $16,470 from your sale would go toward the real estate agents who facilitated the sale. Both the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent would net around $8,235 (the split isn’t always 50/50). Since this is a commission rate, you don’t have to worry about shelling out that amount to Realtors up front. This payment is only made once the sale of your home is finalized.

While the cost is typically discussed as a seller’s expense in reality, it’s usually assumed by the buyer (even if technically, the buyer doesn't pay Realtor fees). This is because homeowners are often able to factor real estate commission costs into the asking price they set for their home. Although they may not be able to reach the full asking price, a portion of the commission will hopefully be covered this way.

Related: What's the average real estate commission in New York?

What factors impact Realtor commission percentages?

As previously mentioned, average Realtor commission rates are in flux at any given moment. But what specific factors are working to determine that rate? Here are a few things that may be causing spikes or drops in the real estate commission rate, as well as some things unique to your situation that may be impacting your negotiation power when entering the market:

• Local buyer demand: If you’re selling your home in a highly desirable area that has seen high buyer demand, chances are you’ll have more luck getting a lower commission rate. This is because agents will see the sale as lower risk — they likely won’t have to work as hard to find a buyer as they would in a less desirable area.
• Housing inventory in the area: If there aren’t a lot of homes like yours on the market, or there’s a low housing inventory in general, you’ll have an easier time getting a lower rate. This is because, with fewer sellers entering the market, agents are more in need of work and therefore more likely to be flexible in their rates.
• Condition of the home: If your home is in particularly good condition or has exceptionally desirable amenities, you’ll be able to more easily negotiate a lower rate —agents will be eager to snag such an outstanding listing.
• Impetus of sale: Why are you selling your home? If you’re choosing the time based on the market, you’ll have the benefit of being able to decide when you want to enter the market and therefore have more time to negotiate. If you’re selling due to divorce, changes in your finances, or other pressing life circumstances, you’ll need to move quickly—that means you’ll have less room to negotiate.
• Experience with the listing agent: As an incentive for repeat business, many real estate agents are willing to agree to a lower commission rate if they’re negotiating with clients with whom they have previous experience working. This is why choosing your agent is so important—there are incentives to hiring them again!

While there are many other considerations at work in determining your real estate commission, these are a few that you might want to keep in mind as you prepare to sell and find an agent.

Factors to consider for selling a home in 2024

According to Fannie Mae, home price growth will slow — they predict the annual growth rate will peak at 4.4% and fall below 3% by the end of the year. Compounded by high interest rates and a weakened economy, it’s estimated that demand in the housing market overall will slow. While we might imagine these things would suggest lower rates, during the economic recession of 2007, commission rates rose.² Thus, we might see increases again.

Despite economic uncertainty on the horizon, many real estate experts predict that large numbers of millennials will be looking to enter the market for the first time, as homeownership seems to be trending over renting among this group.³ This means that, although the overall market may be slow, you may find yourself searching for a home in a hot market and therefore be able to negotiate a very reasonable real estate commission rate.

While much about 2024 is up in the air, there are likely things within your control that can help you negotiate lower-than-average Realtor commission rates. Take stock of your home and your plan to sell — can you improve the desirability of your home, use data about the market in your area to better situate yourself, or leverage your real estate connections to secure a lower rate? Focus on what’s within your control to get the best deal possible.

→ Learn more about whether now is a good time to sell a house

Article Sources

Source 1: Clever: "Current Average Real Estate Commission." Accessed January 25, 2023.

Source 2: Bankrate: "Real estate commissions fall to new lows as homes fly off the market." Accessed January 25, 2023.

Source 3: Chicago Agent Magazine: "Real Estate Market Predictions 2023." Accessed January 25, 2023.