Average Real Estate Commission in Colorado: 2024 Data

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By Jon Stubbs Updated March 1, 2024

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How commission works | Commission calculator | Best ways to save | Methodology

📊 The data:


Our December 2023 survey of local agents found that the average real estate commission in Colorado is 5.62%, which is higher than the national average of 5.49%. Calculate your estimated commission in Colorado.

To sell a house worth $527,413 — the median home value in Colorado — you'll pay about $29,641 in realtor fees.

Realtor commission is usually the largest cost you'll face when selling your home — but you don't have to pay the full 5.62%. You can use a discount broker to save on realtor fees.

Clever Real Estate could help you save thousands on commission by pre-negotiating 1.5% listing fees with full-service Colorado realtors from top brokerages.

On that same Colorado home, you'd pay just $20,300, up to 32% less than paying average rates.

»SAVE: Sell with Clever for 1.5% listing fees and save thousands in commission!

How real estate commission works in Colorado

Average listing commission 2.79%
Average buyer's agent commission 2.84%
Total average commission 5.62%
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There are usually two real estate agents involved in the real estate transactions of a home sale:

  • The seller's agent (also called the listing agent), who represents the home seller
  • The buyer's agent, who represents the person buying the home

Based on our research, the average real estate commission paid in Colorado for listing agents is 2.79% of the final home price and 2.84% for buyer's agents, for a total of 5.62%.

» LEARN: How do real estate broker commissions work?

Real estate commission calculator for Colorado

Use this commission calculator to estimate how much you'll pay in realtor fees when you sell your home in Colorado. Enter an estimate of your home's sale price, and see how much you'll pay at different commission rates.

If you want to decrease your realtor fees, Clever can connect you with a top local listing agent who charges just 1.5%. This will allow you to retain more money from the sale for yourself.

» SAVE: Sell with Clever for 1.5% listing fees and save thousands in commission!

Who pays realtor fees in Colorado?

When selling a home in Colorado, the real estate agent fees for both the seller's and buyer's representatives are subtracted from the final sales revenue. You don't need to prepay these costs.

The seller's agent makes their fee by supplying services such as market analysis and managing the closing paperwork. The buyer's agent makes their fee by bringing a qualified purchaser who satisfies the contract terms and completes the sale on time. 

You don't have to pay these fees out of pocket. Similar to closing costs, the real estate agent fees are deducted from the sale proceeds when the home purchase is finalized.  

Why do sellers pay the buyer's real estate agent commission?

Offering to cover the buyer's agent fee can likely appeal to more potential homebuyers.

Taking on this cost makes your home more enticing to buyers, who otherwise would need to pay their agent's fee upfront plus the down payment and closing charges. Many buyers can't afford these extra initial expenditures.

When you make a competitive offer for the buyer's agent fee, real estate agents are more motivated to showcase your home to their clients. This increases your odds of getting multiple bids. Real estate professionals recommend advertising a buyer's agent fee within 0.5% of the local norm, which is 2.84% in Colorado.

Will the NAR lawsuit change how real estate commission works?

On March 15, 2024, the National Association of Realtors agreed to pay $418 million in damages to settle a real estate commission lawsuit the industry group lost in November 2023. 

While the full impact of the settlement is yet to be determined, experts believe that the change will eventually lead to lower buyer's agent commissions and give buyers the ability to negotiate those commissions based on the services they need. 

The terms of the settlement are scheduled to take effect in mid-July 2024. But, the settlement hasn't been officially approved yet, and it could be delayed or changed by objections. We'll continue to monitor the status of the settlement and the effects it has on the real estate industry.

» READ MORE:

How to save on realtor fees in Colorado

Commission rates are not set in stone. In fact, we found that while 2.79% is the average listing commission in Colorado, rates typically fall between 2.00% and 4.00%. You can save money by negotiating a lower rate with your listing agent or by working with a discount real estate brokerage.

Listing commission range 2.00%– 4.00%
Buyer's agent commission 2.50%– 3.00%
Total commission range 4.50%– 7.00%
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» LEARN: What's the commission on a $1 million home?

Can I negotiate realtor commission in Colorado?

Real estate commission is always negotiable. In Colorado, the 22 agents we surveyed said these were their most common reasons for agreeing to lower their commission.

Would you lower your commission for…? Agents who answered yes
Homeowners who are repeat clients 91%
Homeowners who also plan to buy with you 77%
Homeowners with more than one property to sell 72%
Higher property values 50%
Seller’s situation (e.g. divorce or death in the family) 41%
Homes expected to sell quickly 41%
High competition for clients 27%
Houses in excellent condition 27%
Periods of low housing inventory 14%
High buyer demand in the area 18%
Highly experienced home sellers 18%
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Negotiating realtor fees in Colorado depends on two main factors: your situation and the housing market.

Factor You may have an easier time negotiating low rates if...
Your situation
  • You're selling a high-value home
  • You have a personal relationship with a realtor
  • You can offer a realtor repeat business
The Colorado housing market
  • Homes are selling quickly
  • There are relatively few homes listed for sale
  • Home values are rising
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While your personal circumstances may vary, real estate conditions in Colorado will impact all home sellers in the area.

Generally in a seller's market, where home sellers have more leverage than buyers, listing agents' jobs are simpler so they may be more open to reducing their fees. The opposite is often true in a buyer's market.

Not comfortable negotiating with a real estate agent? Avoid the awkward discussion and let Clever pre-negotiate a lower rate with a top local agent for you.

To assess the current state of your local real estate market, examine these three factors:

  • Months of inventory
  • Sale to list price ratio
  • Home value movements

If all factors indicate Colorado is a seller's market, you may be in a good position to negotiate a lower rate with your agent. If market conditions are mixed or favor buyers, it may be tougher to get your realtor to accept a cheaper commission.

The current state of the Colorado real estate market

Factor Trends Indication
Months of inventory There's 1.67 months of housing inventory on the market Seller's market
Sale-to-list ratio Homes are selling for 98.80% of their listing price Seller's market
Home values Home values have fallen 15.53% year over year Buyer's market
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» LEARN: See state-by-state average commission rates. How does your state compare?

Low commission real estate companies in Colorado 

Negotiating a lower rate with a professional negotiator can be hard! In many cases, home sellers can save just as much (or more!) by selling with a low commission real estate company.

Discount real estate brokers typically offer full-service support for a reduced commission percentage or flat rate. How they create those discounts will depend on the company's model, with some creating more risks and trade-offs than others.

Best for most sellers

Clever Real Estate

Learn More
4.9
Excellent

Listing Fee

1.5% ($3,000 min.)

Availability

Nationwide

Customer Rating

5.0 (2,627)

Overview

Pricing

Reviews

Contact

Overview: Clever is our top pick in Colorado for home sellers looking to save on realtor commission without sacrificing service.

✅ Benefits and features: Clever gets you discounted rates (up to 50%) from non-discount realtors. Plus Clever’s matching service is highly rated and free to use with no obligation.

🏠 How it works: Clever matches you with top local realtors from major brokerages like RE/MAX and Compass. You compare options to find the best fit and get the special 1.5% listing fee (same as Redfin) no matter who you choose.

Pros

  • Sell with a traditional agent from a name-brand brokerage (not a discount agent)
  • Agents work for up to 50% off their typical rate when you go through Clever
  • Most agent selection by far — choose from many top Colorado realtors

Cons

  • No guarantee you’ll be able to work with a specific agent or brokerage you have in mind
  • Add-ons like professional staging, drone photos, and 3D tours may cost extra (agents will break down what’s included during their listing presentation)

Fee structure

  • 1.5% listing commission ($3,000 min.) paid at closing
  • 2–3% buyer’s agent commission paid at closing
Weighted avg. 5.0 2,627
Trustpilot 5.0 2,402
Google 4.8 225

Website: listwithclever.com
Phone: 1-833-225-3837
Hours: 8 a.m.–10 p.m. EST, 7 days a week
Address: 6358 Delmar Blvd, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63130

Get started with Clever today!

Redfin Colorado

Learn More
4.7
Very good

Listing Fee

1.5% ($5,500 min.)

Availability

Multi-state

Customer Rating

N/A*

Overview

Pricing

Reviews

Contact

Overview: Redfin’s discount real estate service offers a decent value overall for most home sellers in Colorado.

✅ Benefits and features: Redfin’s 1.5% listing fees can net you solid savings, and you can get an additional 0.5% listing fee savings if you sell and buy with Redfin within 12 months. Redfin is also a well-established brand with more discount realtors to choose from than other local discount real estate brokers.

🚩 Potential red flags: Redfin’s tech-centric, team-based approach to selling isn’t for everyone. Redfin conducts most of the process remotely, and you work with a lead agent and a back-office team. Redfin also has a minimum $5,500 commission fee in Colorado. So if your home sells for below $366,000, you’ll pay slightly more than the advertised 1.5% rate.

Pros

  • Solid listing fee savings
  • Established brand and decent agent selection
  • Appealing, technology-driven approach for sellers who prefer it

Cons

  • Higher minimum fee vs. other Colorado options
  • High-volume, team-centric approach may not be for everyone
  • Less agent selection than Clever

Fee structure

  • 1.5% listing fee ($5,500 min. in Colorado) at closing
  • 2–3% buyer’s agent commission at closing
  • 0.5% listing fee refund if you also buy with Redfin within 12 months

*Not enough available data at this time

Website: redfin.com
Phone: 1-844-759-7732
Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. MST, 7 days a week
Address: 8055 E Tufts Ave, Suite 1430, Denver, CO 80237
Areas served: Aetna Estates, Aurora, Centennial, Cherry Creek, Commerce City, Cottonwood, Denver, Dove Valley, Four Square Mile, Foxfield, Greenwood Village, Parker, Watkins, and more.

Trelora Realty

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4.1
Good

Listing Fee

1%

Availability

Multi-state

Customer Rating

4.8 (632)

Overview

Pricing

Reviews

Contact

Our take: Across Colorado, Trelora Realty is a strong contender for home sellers seeking discount real estate services, courtesy of its full-service model and competitive 1% listing fee.

✅ Benefits and features: Trelora’s unique team approach provides support from multiple agents during the sales process. Sellers can expect agent-hosted open houses, 3D home tours, and pro-level digital marketing. At 1%, its listing fee beats the typical 3% charged by traditional realtors in Colorado.

🚩 Potential red flags: With Trelora’s team model, you likely won’t build a close relationship with a single agent. Trelora agents juggle far more clients than the average realtor in the state, potentially affecting service. Some local agents have historically been known not to show Trelora-listed homes.

Pros

  • Low 1% listing fee
  • Hosted open houses and 3D tours
  • Support from a team of agents

Cons

  • Lacks one-on-one agent relationship
  • High agent-to-client ratio

Fee structure

  • 1% listing fee at closing
  • 2–3% buyer’s agent commission at closing
Weighted avg. 4.8 632
Google 4.7 441
Zillow 5.0 191

Website: trelora.com
Phone: (720) 702-8877
Address: 2401 15th St, #150, Denver, CO 80202
Areas served: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington

» LEARN: How do discount real estate brokers offer lower fees?

Next steps

Thinking of selling your home but don't know where to start? Here are some next steps.

Start interviewing local agents

Set up some listing appointments, where an agent visits your home to discuss its estimated value, lay out their marketing strategy, and provide a quote for their fee.

Here's why it's smart to sit down with a few agents before signing with one:

It's completely free to meet with agents: There's no obligation or risk on your end. Just keep in mind that the agent is meeting with you to win your business, and will try to sell you on their service.

You can compare pricing and features: Shopping around helps you find the best fit for your specific needs – in terms of fees, experience, and services provided.

Learn more about your market from an expert: Realtors can provide local data, like how much nearby homes are selling for, how fast they sell, and other current market trends.

Learn about the home sales process: An agent can walk you through the sales process from start to finish, and provide tailored advice for marketing your property to home buyers.

To get started, check out our guide on the best ways to find real estate agents — or you can sign up for Clever’s free agent matching service below to connect with top realtors in your area right now (and save on commission).

Clever has pre-negotiated low commission rates of only 1.5%, with Colorado's top agents. Contact Clever today to find out how much you can save on commission!

👋 Next Steps: Find an agent!

Clever can connect you with top local agents sell your house for a pre-negotiated low rate: just a 1.5% listing fee when your home sells (half the typical rate!).

You can interview your Clever agent matches, get free pricing estimates, and compare marketing plans — all with no strings attached.

Ready to learn more? Click below to take our simple quiz and see your agent matches!

Methodology

We gathered our commission rate data from a survey of 630 of our partner agents. The survey asked about standard local rates for both listing and buying agents. We also asked agents about when and why they're willing to negotiate real estate commissions. 

Additionally, we utilized the following data from Zillow and Realtor.com:

  • Home values, list prices, and sale prices: Based on Zillow data as of January 2024
  • Sale-to-list ratios: Based on Zillow data as of January 2024 (unless specified otherwise)
  • Months of inventory: Based on Realtor.com data as of February 2024

Additional resources for Colorado home sellers

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