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 North Carolina is 5.52%, which is higher than the national average of 5.49%. Calculate your estimated commission in North Carolina.
The average total real estate agent commission rate in North Carolina is 5.52% of the final sale price. Based on the latest median home sale price in North Carolina ($322,527), that translates to a total cost of roughly $17,803.
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 North Carolina, the average listing agent fee is 2.88%, while the average buyer’s agent fee is 2.63%.
Real estate agent commissions make up a significant portion of the closing costs for North Carolina home sellers. But you don't have to pay the full 5.52% to a traditional agent. If you're selling a home in North Carolina, 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 36% on realtor fees, or about $6,321 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.
» Jump to: Commission calculator | Best ways to save | Discount real estate brokers | Methodology
How real estate commission works in North Carolina
| Average listing commission | 2.88% |
| Average buyer's agent commission | 2.63% |
| Total average commission | 5.52% |
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 North Carolina for listing agents is 2.88% of the final home price and 2.63% for buyer's agents, for a total of 5.52%.
» LEARN: How do real estate broker commissions work?
Real estate commission calculator for North Carolina
Use this commission calculator to estimate how much you'll pay in realtor fees when you sell your home in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
When selling a home in North Carolina, 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 providing services such as market analysis and handling 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 schedule.
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 costs.
When you make a competitive offer for the buyer's agent fee, real estate agents are more incentivized to showcase your home to their clients. This increases your chances of getting multiple bids. Real estate professionals recommend advertising a buyer's agent fee within 0.5% of the local norm, which is 2.63% in North Carolina.
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 North Carolina
Commission rates are not set in stone. In fact, we found that while 2.88% is the average listing commission in North Carolina, rates typically fall between 1.50% 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 | 1.50%– 4.00% |
| Buyer's agent commission | 2.40%– 3.00% |
| Total commission range | 3.90%– 7.00% |
» LEARN: What's the commission on a $1 million home?
Can I negotiate realtor commission in North Carolina?
Real estate commission is always negotiable. In North Carolina, the 28 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 | 71% |
| Homeowners with more than one property to sell | 61% |
| Homeowners who are repeat clients | 54% |
| Seller’s situation (e.g. divorce or death in the family) | 50% |
| Homes expected to sell quickly | 46% |
| Higher property values | 32% |
| High competition for clients | 29% |
| Periods of low housing inventory | 25% |
| High buyer demand in the area | 25% |
| Houses in excellent condition | 18% |
| Highly experienced home sellers | 4% |
Negotiating realtor fees in North Carolina 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 North Carolina housing market |
|
While your personal situation may vary, real estate conditions in North Carolina 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 receptive to lowering their fees. The opposite is often 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 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina real estate market
| Factor | Trends | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Months of inventory | There's 1.11 months of housing inventory on the market | Seller's market |
| Sale-to-list ratio | Homes are selling for 98.20% of their listing price | Seller's market |
| Home values | Home values have risen 17.75% year over year | Seller's market |
» LEARN: See state-by-state average commission rates. How does your state compare?
Low commission real estate companies in North Carolina
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
Availability
Customer Rating
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: For North Carolina sellers seeking to minimize realtor commission fees without sacrificing quality service, Clever is our top recommendation.
✅ Benefits and features: Clever enables you to secure discounted rates (up to 50%) from traditional realtors. Their matching service receives high ratings and is completely free to use, with no obligations.
🏠 How it works: Clever connects you with top local realtors from reputable brokerages like RE/MAX and Compass. You have the opportunity to compare multiple options and still benefit from the special 1.5% listing fee, which matches Redfin’s rate, regardless of your choice of realtor.
Pros
- Collaborate with a conventional agent from a well-established brokerage (rather than a discount agent)
- Work with realtors willing to provide services at the advantageous 1.5% listing fee through Clever
- Largest selection of agents available — choose from hundreds of exceptional realtors in North Carolina
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
Availability
Customer Rating
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: For the majority of home sellers in North Carolina, Redfin’s discount real estate service offers fair value.
✅ Benefits and features: Redfin’s 1.5% listing fee can lead to considerable savings. Furthermore, if you engage Redfin for both buying and selling within a 12-month period, you can enjoy an extra 0.5% reduction on your listing fee. Redfin is a reputable name in the industry and boasts a wider range of discounted realtors compared to local competitors.
🚩 Potential red flags: Redfin’s selling process, which emphasizes technology and teamwork, might not resonate with every seller. Through Redfin, much of the process is managed remotely with the assistance of a Lead Agent and a dedicated operations team. Additionally, take note that there’s a minimum commission fee of $2,000–5,000 in North Carolina. Depending upon your home’s value and where you’re selling, you may pay slightly more than the advertised 1.5% rate.
Pros
- Significant savings on listing fees
- Significant savings on listing fees Reputable brand with a good selection of agents
- Appealing, technology-driven approach for sellers who prefer it
Cons
- High-volume, team-centric approach may not be for everyone
- Less agent selection than Clever
- Higher minimum fee than other options in North Carolina
- Limited availability in some North Carolina markets
Listing Fee
Availability
Customer Rating
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: Don Anthony Realty’s Low Fee full-service package proves to be a solid choice for sellers in the Charlotte and Triangle areas who prioritize cost-effectiveness without compromising on service quality.
✅ Benefits and features: Don Anthony Realty offers three distinct service options, catering to various needs. Our recommendation is the Low Fee package, which includes valuable features such as showing assistance and drone footage, all at a competitive 1.49% listing fee. The company’s service quality is highly regarded, with customers awarding it an impressive average rating of 4.8 stars.
🚩 Potential red flags: Similar to other discount realtors, it’s important to note that Don Anthony Realty may not deliver the same level of personalized service or attention as traditional realtors. Additionally, if you opt for the A La Carte package, there’s an upfront fee to keep in mind.
Pros
- Flexible service options
- In-depth understanding of the Triangle market
- Consistently high customer satisfaction ratings
Cons
- Upfront fee required for A La Carte package
- Listing fee for Concierge package is high
- May not offer the same level of service as traditional realtors
» 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 North Carolina'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
