The answer seems simple. The real estate agent lists a house for sale, and you like it. Next thing you know you're negotiating a price with the agent, the seller accepts, the house closes, and the seller pays a 6% real estate commission to the broker. Done, right? Unfortunately, it's not that simple.
There are so many ways an agent might get compensated these days. Some of the newer flat-fee brokers and fee-for-service listing brokerages are paying their agents a salary, rather than a real estate commission. Some brokerages pay their agent a base salary and a lesser commission percentage for each transaction. Here are all the ins and outs of the different types of agents and how they get compensated for their services.
Two Types of Agents
There are two types of agents: buyer's agents and seller's agents (also known as listing agents). If you spot a house you like and call up the agent to see it, you're dealing with a seller's agent. That agent works for the seller--not you, the buyer. The seller typically pays the real estate agent fee to the broker who, in turn, pays the agent who worked to bring the buyer to the transaction.
Flat Commissions
Broker commissions typically take one of two forms: flat rates or a percentage. The flat fee is most straightforward to calculate. How it happens is you agree to pay the agent a specific amount at the time of closing. The trick with a flat fee broker is that the contract must precisely define the event that triggers the broker's right to a commission. So basically, you want everything in clear writing to avoid a situation where the broker believes that is a fee is due but the company disagrees.
Confused about real estate commission?
Work with a Clever Partner Agent and pay less.
Traditional Broker/Agent Split Models
A broker compensates the vast majority of real estate agents by sharing the gross commission amount that the broker collects.
The 100% Commission Split Model
As the name of this compensation model suggests, the agent gets the entire commission. This model pays 100% to the agent because the agent is paying a "desk fee" or monthly office fee. This can be quite a steep feat every month, but experienced producers prefer it because their costs are capped while their income is not.
Referral Fee from One Brokerage to Another and Agent Split
Referrals come "off the top" before the commission is split. The referral is a negotiated percentage paid to another company for sending a client, either as a seller or a buyer.
Percentage Paid to Real Estate Franchise for Business
Some of the significant franchises charge a percentage fee "off the top" of each commission to their franchisee brokerage. This fee could come off the commission before the broker receives it and splits with the agent.
Who pays the agent and how the realtor gets paid are two of the most common real estate questions we have. It's important to iron these matters out--in writing--before you begin the processes of closing on a house.
Everyone can save on realtor commissions by using Clever. Call us today at 1-833-2-CLEVER or fill out our online form to get started.
🏡 Sell or Buy a Home with Clever and Save Thousands!
Enter your zip code to see if Clever has a partner agent in your area!
