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 Louisiana is 5.56%, which is higher than the national average of 5.49%. Calculate your estimated commission in Louisiana.
The average total real estate agent commission rate in Louisiana is 5.56% of the final sale price. Based on the latest median home sale price in Louisiana ($194,308), that translates to a total cost of roughly $10,804.
Home sellers typically cover the total commission fee from their sale proceeds, which is split between the listing and buyer’s agents who handle the sale. In Louisiana, the average listing agent fee is 2.89%, while the average buyer’s agent fee is 2.67%.
Real estate agent commissions make up a significant portion of the closing costs for Louisiana home sellers. But you don't have to pay the full 5.56% to a traditional agent. If you're selling a home in Louisiana, you can use a discount broker to save on realtor fees. In fact, depending on your situation and the agents you work with, you could save 24% on realtor fees, or about $2,616 on average.
⚡ Find top agents and save: Answer these five simple questions to get matched with the best local agents offering reduced commission rates. Compare agents from top brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX, and get a discounted rate through Clever’s partner network.
How real estate commission works in Louisiana
| Average listing commission | 2.89% |
| Average buyer's agent commission | 2.67% |
| Total average commission | 5.56% |
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 Louisiana for listing agents is 2.89% of the final home price and 2.67% for buyer's agents, for a total of 5.56%.
» LEARN: How do real estate broker commissions work?
Real estate commission calculator for Louisiana
Use this commission calculator to estimate how much you'll pay in realtor fees when you sell your home in Louisiana. Enter an estimate of your home's sale price, and see how much you'll pay at different commission rates.
If you want to reduce your realtor fees, Clever can connect you with a top local listing agent charging just 1.5% commission. This will let you keep more of the sale proceeds for yourself.
» SAVE: Sell with Clever for 1.5% listing fees and save thousands in commission!
Who pays realtor fees in Louisiana?
When selling a home in Louisiana, the sales commissions for both the listing agent and buyer's agent get subtracted from the final sale price. The seller does not pay these fees upfront.
The listing agent earns their share through services like market analysis and handling closing paperwork. The buyer's agent makes their commission by bringing a qualified buyer who meets the purchase terms and closes on time.
The seller does not pay these commissions out of pocket. Like closing costs, the agents' fees come out of the sale proceeds once the deal closes.
Why do sellers pay the buyer's real estate agent commission?
Offering to cover the buyer's agent commission can attract more potential buyers to your listing.
Paying this fee makes your home more appealing to buyers since they avoid this extra cost in addition to the down payment and closing costs - a financial strain for many.
When you offer a competitive buyer's agent commission, real estate agents get more motivated to show your property to their buyer clients. This can increase your chances of drawing multiple offers. Experts recommend advertising a commission within 0.5% of the local average, which is 2.67% in Louisiana.
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 Louisiana
Commission rates are not set in stone. In fact, we found that while 2.89% is the average listing commission in Louisiana, rates typically fall between 1.00% 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 | 1.00%– 4.00% |
| Buyer's agent commission | 2.00%– 3.00% |
| Total commission range | 3.00%– 7.00% |
» LEARN: What's the commission on a $1 million home?
Can I negotiate realtor commission in Louisiana?
Real estate commission is always negotiable. Nationwide, the 630 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 also plan to buy with you | 72% |
| Homeowners who are repeat clients | 70% |
| Homeowners with more than one property to sell | 67% |
| Seller’s situation (e.g. divorce or death in the family) | 48% |
| Higher property values | 47% |
| High competition for clients | 37% |
| Homes expected to sell quickly | 37% |
| Periods of low housing inventory | 23% |
| High buyer demand in the area | 22% |
| Houses in excellent condition | 19% |
| Highly experienced home sellers | 13% |
Negotiating realtor fees in Louisiana depends on two main factors: your situation and the housing market.
| Factor | You may have an easier time negotiating low rates if... |
|---|---|
| Your situation |
|
| The Louisiana housing market |
|
While your personal situation is unique, real estate conditions across Louisiana affect all local sellers.
In a seller's market with low inventory, listing agents' jobs get easier so they may readily reduce commissions. The opposite often holds true in a buyer's market.
Not comfortable negotiating with a realtor? Avoid the awkward conversation and let Clever pre-negotiate a lower rate with a top agent for you.
To evaluate your market, look at:
- Months of inventory
- Sale to list price ratio
- Home value trends
If Louisiana shows signs of a seller's market, you may readily negotiate a lower commission. But in a buyer's or balanced market, getting an agent to accept a cheaper rate may prove harder.
The current state of the Louisiana real estate market
| Factor | Trends | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Months of inventory | There's 2.68 months of housing inventory on the market | Seller's market |
| Sale-to-list ratio | Homes are selling for 96.80% of their listing price | Buyer's market |
| Home values | Home values have fallen 5.13% year over year | Neutral market |
» LEARN: See state-by-state average commission rates. How does your state compare?
Low commission real estate companies in Louisiana
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.
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: When Louisiana homeowners are seeking significant savings on realtor fees without cutting back on professional expertise, our suggestion is to turn to Clever.
✅ Benefits and features: Enjoy a substantial reduction in realtor rates — Clever reduces standard fees by up to half. Clever also provides a top-tier, completely free matching service that comes with zero strings attached.
🏠 How it works: Clever partners you with highly esteemed local realtors from well-known firms such as RE/MAX and Compass. This allows for a comprehensive comparison to secure your ideal match, all while locking in the exclusive 1.5% listing fee (equivalent to Redfin), regardless of your realtor choice.
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 hundreds of top Louisiana 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)
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: Redfin delivers reputable discount brokerage services perfect for property sellers across Louisiana looking to economize.
✅ Benefits and features: With a listing fee of just 1.5%, Redfin positions sellers to enjoy substantial savings over the conventional 3% realtor fees. Should you opt to sell your property and purchase your next home through Redfin within a year, you'll reap the additional benefit of shaving another 0.5% off the listing fee. This established company stands out with its extensive network of affordable realtors, surpassing the variety provided by other regional discount brokers.
🚩 Potential red flags: While Redfin's tech-centric and collaborative approach is innovative, it might not mesh with all sellers' expectations. Most of the selling process is conducted online, relying on a specially assigned lead agent in tandem with a capable administrative team. Also noteworthy is Redfin's minimum service fee of $3,000 in Louisiana, which, for homes selling under $200,000, results in a listing fee percentage marginally above the promoted 1.5%.
Pros
- Significant savings on listing fees
- Well-established brand with ample options for agent selection
- Appealing tech-forward approach
Cons
- Higher minimum commission fee compared to other choices in Louisiana
- Team-centric, high-volume model may not align with everyone's preferences
- Offers a smaller selection of agents compared to Clever
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Our take: Falaya Real Estate presents a trio of listing packages that cater to diverse selling preferences; however, the incremental costs of the à la carte options could erode the value proposition of its more basic offerings.
What we like: With universally positive feedback, Falaya boasts an unblemished track record as reflected in its 5-star average from 61 reviews. For those inclined to play a proactive role in the selling process, the savings from its entry-level package are notably substantial.
What to watch out for: Each Falaya package incurs an upfront charge ranging from $250–500. Compared to other discount and flat fee brokerages, their fee structure may seem less transparent. Should you start with the essential flat fee package and incrementally choose additional services such as promotional assistance, professional photography, and assistance with contract negotiations, the anticipated cost-efficiency may diminish.
Pros
- Three plan options available to meet different budgets and service needs
- Exceptionally high customer satisfaction evident in our remarkable review score
Cons
- Upfront fees ranging from $250–500
- Pricing structure may be confusing for some sellers
- À la carte services can add up and become costly
» 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 Louisiana's top agents. Contact Clever today to find out how much you can save on commission!
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 February 2024
- Sale-to-list ratios: Based on Zillow data as of February 2024 (unless specified otherwise)
- Months of inventory: Based on Realtor.com data as of March 2024
