📊 The data:
We surveyed local agents and found that the average real estate commission in Florida is 5.40%, which is higher than the national average of 5.37%.
The good news is you might not have to pay the full 5.40%. Home sellers in The Sunshine State can use discount real estate brokerages to save on commission. Discount brokers offer built-in commission savings, and often provide similar services as conventional realtors.
Here's what to know about Florida real estate commission, including how to save, tips for negotiating with agents, and next steps if you need to sell your home.
» JUMP: Florida commission breakdown | How to save | Next steps | FAQs
Florida realtor fees: Key takeaways
Most Florida agents work 100% on commission. Agents only get paid when your home sells and the commission is deducted from the sale proceeds at closing.
Realtor fees are unavoidable, but not set in stone. Everything in a real estate transaction can be negotiated, including your agent's fees. Learn how to negotiate rates with an agent before signing a listing agreement.
Commission covers a wide range of services. It often includes the cost of photography, online advertising, hosting open houses, showing the home to prospective buyers, and negotiating contracts.
Florida sellers are in a strong position to negotiate right now. It's a seller's market in the Sunshine State, and that's not likely to change in 2022.
Florida commission rates breakdown: How much will you pay?
Average listing commission | 2.70% |
Average buyer's agent commission | 2.70% |
Total average commission | 5.40% |
There are usually two real estate agents involved in 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 commission rate for listing agents is 2.70% of the final home price and 2.70% for buyer's agents, for a total of 5.40%.
» MORE: What is realtor commission?
How to save on Florida realtor fees
There are several strategies that can help you get a lower commission rate than the Florida state average of 5.40%.
Shop around for the best value
Selling your home is likely the largest financial transaction of your life, so it's smart to interview a few agents from different brokerages. Compare options to measure agent's experience, service, and personality verus price.
While price is important, it's not everything. It may be worth paying more for an experienced, full-time realtor who has the knowledge and skills to sell your home, versus a cheaper, but inexperienced agent.
Choosing an inexperienced or part-time agent solely because they charge less could end up costing you a lot more than you save, in terms of the final sale price.
Sell your house with a discount real estate broker
Consider working with a discount real estate brokerage if saving money is your top priority.
Discount brokerages offer built-in savings, with no negotiating required. Rates are as low as 1% – significantly lower than the typical 5.40% listing fee in Florida – and the best ones provide the same level of service as conventional agents.
Top Florida discount real estate brokerages in 2022
Clever Real Estate
Get Started💲 Listing Fee
1.5% (min. $3,000)
💰 Avg. Savings
$5,625
⭐ Avg. Customer Rating
4.9/5 (1,995 reviews)
Clever is a quick, easy, and free way to find a top-rated local agent. And, unlike many similar companies, Clever pre-negotiates big discounts on your behalf, so you can save thousands without sacrificing on service.
- Clever offers a free, nationwide agent-matching service that partners with full-service local agents from conventional brokerages like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX.
- You get multiple agent matches so you can interview, compare marketing plans, and choose the best fit.
- Clever pre-negotiates low rates on your behalf — you get full service for a low 1.5% listing fee.
- If you buy with Clever, you could get cash back after closing.
- You may not get matched with an agent from your preferred real estate brokerage.
- Agents may not provide premium services like drone photography and professional home staging.
Clever has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, based on 1,844 reviews.
Clever has pre-negotiated low commission rates with top agents in all 50 states and Washington, DC.
Redfin
Full Review💲 Listing Fee
1.5% (min. fees vary)
💰 Avg. Savings
$5,550
⭐ Avg. Customer Rating
3.7/5 (301 reviews)
Redfin offers real savings and is a proven brand. But sellers could compromise on service — especially agent experience and availability.
- If you buy and sell with Redfin, you'll get a 0.5% listing fee discount.
- Redfin gives its listings premium placement in its popular home search app.
- If finding the right agent is a top priority, you'll have limited options — Redfin only has a few agents in each of its markets.
- Redfin agents handle more customers at once than the average realtor, so they may not be able to provide as much personalized service.
Redfin has a 3.7 out of 5 rating (301 reviews) across popular review sites like Google and Yelp.
Redfin is available in 80+ U.S. markets (see all locations).
Houwzer
Full Review💲 Listing Fee
$5,000
💰 Avg. Savings
$7,625
⭐ Avg. Customer Rating
4.8/5 (1,400 reviews)
Houwzer has very low listing fees, but you may be frustrated working with a team instead of just your realtor.
- You’ll pay a 1% listing fee, which is one of the lowest rates in the industry.
- Houwzer’s maximum listing fee of $10,000 makes it a great deal for homes over $1 million.
- Houwzer has a small team, which limits your options if you don't hit it off with the first agent it sends you.
- The company uses a team-based approach, which increases the chances of miscommunication and mistakes.
Houwzer has a 4.8 out of 5 rating (1,400 reviews) across popular review sites like Google and Zillow.
Houwzer is available in the following locations: FL, MD, NJ, PA, VA, DC.
Redefy
Full Review💲 Listing Fee
$3,500 (1% above $1M)
💰 Avg. Savings
$8,500
⭐ Avg. Customer Rating
4.6/5 (300 reviews)
Redefy’s flat fee could offer big savings. But hands-off service and non-refundable upfront fees make it a hard sell over other, less risky options.
- Flat $3,500 listing fee is an excellent value for higher-priced homes
- Agents provide more in-person services than some similarly-priced low commission brands
- Redefy charges an upfront, non-refundable $500 fee (most companies don't make you pay anything until your house sells)
- Your agent will not host an open house for you
Redefy has a 4.6 out of 5 rating (300 reviews) across popular review sites like Google and Zillow.
Redefy is available in the following areas: CO, FL, GA, IL, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA.
» COMPARE: See our full breakdown and top picks for discount brokerages in 2022
Negotiate with an agent
Florida market conditions are favorable for negotiating commission rates because the high demand for houses makes it easier for agents to close deals.
But no two houses or neighborhoods are the same. You have a better chance of securing a lower rate if you meet one or more of the following criteria.
Your home is in good shape
Well-maintained homes make for desirable listings that make great first impressions on buyers and sell fast.
Signs of a home that is well-kept include:
- A healthy lawn and landscaping.
- Carpeting with little to no stains.
- No scuffs, dents, or scratches on the walls, and clean paint.
- A roof with no active leaks or damaged shingles, and clean gutters.
- Properly working appliances and smoke detectors.
You'll be a repeat customer - and you can provide referrals
Agents are more likely to offer you a discount if you also use them to purchase a new home - a "list-buy" deal means double the commission for your agent.
Realtors also appreciate referrals because it provides them with new business, without little time, money, or effort. Referring friends, family, or acquaintances helps your agent and should give you leverage in negotiations.
The agent knows you're shopping around
Listing agents may be more willing to offer a lower rate if they know you’re meeting with other agents. Most realtors would prefer earning a slightly lower percentage than losing your business entirely.
Let the agent you talk with know you’re interviewing multiple candidates, as they might just offer a lower rate upfront to be more competitive.
» MORE: How to negotiate realtor commission
Next steps
Thinking of selling your home but don't know where to start? Here are some next steps.
Start interviewing local agents
Meeting with agents can be useful to learn about your home's estimated value, each agent's specific marketing strategy, and what agents are charging in your market.
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, so they will try to sell you on their service (and will plan to follow-up with you).
You can compare pricing and features. Shopping around helps you find the best combination of experience, personality, and price for your specific needs.
It's an opportunity to learn more about your market from an expert. Realtors can provide local data like what similar homes in your area are selling for, how quickly they’re going under contract, and other current market trends.
You can learn more about how to sell your home. An agent can walk you through the home sales process from start to finish, and provide tailored advice for marketing your property to homebuyers.
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).
Read more about selling your home
Still learning about the process and weighing your options? Check out these additional guides for home sellers in Florida:
- 8 Steps to Selling a House in Florida
- How Much it Costs to Sell in Florida
- Florida Real Estate Transfer Taxes
Explore realtor alternatives
There are other ways to sell your house besides listing with an agent. Learn more below:
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.
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 2023
- Sale prices and sale-to-list ratios: Based on Redfin data as of February 2023 (unless specified otherwise)
- Months of inventory: Based on Realtor.com data as of February 2023
Florida realtor commission FAQs
If you're planning to sell, you have a better shot at negotiating a lower rate if you own a high-priced and well-maintained home, and if you're in a market where homes tend to sell quickly.