What percentage do most realtors charge?

The average real estate commission is between 5–6%, with half going to the seller's agent and have to the buyer's agent. However, real estate commission fees vary by state. Find average commission rates in your state here!

Can you negotiate realtor commission fees?

Yes, realtor commission fees are negotiable. However, your ability to negotiate realtor commission depends on a lot of factors, including where you live and how easy your home will be to sell.

Steve Nicastro

Managing Editor

Steve Nicastro is a Managing Editor at Clever Real Estate, the nation's leading real estate education platform for home buyers, sellers, and investors. Prior to joining Clever, Steve helped buyers and sellers navigate a challenging real estate market in Charleston, S.C., closing $6 million in transaction volume for 2020 and 2021.

Over his career, Steve has bought and sold over 30 homes with a total value exceeding $8 million. This includes 20 homes as a realtor, 7 as an investor, and 3 as a primary homeowner and for sale by owner (FSBO) seller. Steve successfully used a local flat fee MLS service to get the FSBO properties marketed online, saving on commission costs.

Steve also worked as a personal finance writer for NerdWallet for over 6 years. His work has been published at USA Today, The Associated Press, U.S. News, and the New York Times, among other online publications.

Expertise: Real estate commission, selling a house without a realtor, buying a home, real estate investing.

Education: Quinnipiac University

Credentials: Full-time, licensed real estate agent in the Charleston, S.C. market from 2019-22. Active real estate investor in North and South Carolina.

External interviews and quotes:

Yahoo Finance: Discussing the NAR settlement
US News: What the $2 Billion NAR Lawsuit Means for Homebuyers and Sellers
Consumer Affairs: Zillow Launches 1% Down Mortgage
The Mortgage Reports: Is an Assumable Home Loan Right for You? Q&A

Find more from Steve:

Featured Published Articles

Like most things in real estate, your listing agent's commission is negotiable. This is our expert guide to negotiating realtor fees.
Paying 3% commission to your realtor is a longtime industry standard, but listing fees often cost less today. Sellers can even pay a total 3% commission.
A real estate license is usually required to get access to the MLS, but there are a few ways around it. Learn how to access MLS listings as a home buyer or seller.
Everything you need to know to sell your house by owner, including marketing, pricing, and state specific paperwork.
Prospective home sellers usually don't need to get an appraisal before selling. Learn when it might make sense to get a pre-listing appraisal.
Learn how to rent-to-own a home with bad credit in our guide. Discover options for rent-to-own properties, credit score requirements, and alternatives to consider.