How commission works | Save on commission | Rhode Island housing market | Best low commission companies | Methodology
📊 The data:
We surveyed local agents and found that the average real estate commission in Rhode Island is 5.12%, which is less than the national average of 5.37%.
To sell a house in Rhode Island worth $413,948 — the median home value in Rhode Island — you’ll pay about $21,194 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 5.12%.
Clever Real Estate could help you save thousands on commission by pre-negotiating 1.5% listing fees with full-service Rhode Island realtors from top brokerages.
On that same $413,948 home — you'd pay just $14,300, 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 agent commission works
Average listing commission | 2.66% |
Average buyer's agent commission | 2.46% |
Total average commission | 5.12% |
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 2.66% of the final home price and 2.46% for buyer's agents, for a total of 5.12%.
» LEARN: How do real estate commissions work?
Who pays realtor fees in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, home sellers pay real estate commission fees out of the final sale proceeds for both agents involved in a deal. Offering to pay for the buyer's agent's commission is an incentive for agents to show your home to their clients.
If you'd like to save on commissions, Clever can connect you with a top listing agent in your area. You'll pay just 1.5%, keeping more money in your pocket at the end of your sale.
How to save on realtor fees in Rhode Island
Commission rates are not set in stone. In fact, we found that while 5.12% is the average in Rhode Island, rates typically fall between 4.19% and 6.05%. You can save money by negotiating a lower rate with your listing agent or by working with brokerage that has a discounted commission model.
Listing commission range | 2.19%– 3.12% |
Buyer's agent commission | 2.00%– 2.93% |
Total commission range | 4.19%– 6.05% |
Tips for negotiating realtor commission in Rhode Island
Whether you’re selling a vacation home in Narragansett, a chic condo in Providence, or a family home in Warwick, you can almost always negotiate a lower commission rate.
Negotiating a lower realtor percentage in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island housing market |
|
While your personal situation will obviously vary, Rhode Island real estate market conditions will affect all home sellers in your area.
In general, in a seller's market — where home sellers have more leverage than buyers — a listing agent's job is easier and they may be more willing to lower their commission rates. The opposite is usually true in a buyer's market.
» LEARN: Find our top tips for negotiating lower commission fees
To judge the current state of your real estate market, look at these three factors:
- Months of inventory ⓘ
- Sale to list price ⓘ
- Home value trends ⓘ
If every factor points to Rhode Island being a seller's market, then you may be in a good position to negotiate a lower commission rate with your agent. If market conditions are mixed or favor buyers, it may be more challenging to persuade your realtor to accept a cheaper fee.
The current state of the Rhode Island real estate market
Factor | Trends | Indication |
|---|---|---|
Months of inventory | There's 0.7 months of housing inventory on the market | Seller's market |
Sale-to-list ratio | Homes are selling for 99.77% of their listing price | Seller's market |
Home values | Home values have risen 32.17% year over year | Seller's market |
Low commission real estate companies in Rhode Island
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.
These are some of the top discount and flat-fee MLS services in Rhode Island.
The top discount real estate companies in Rhode Island
Discount real estate companies 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.
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).
» LEARN: How do discount real estate brokers offer lower fees?
The top flat fee MLS listing services in Rhode Island
Flat fee MLS services list your home on your local MLS for a low fee, often around $99–$1,000. The trade-off is that you'll have to handle almost the entire home-selling process yourself.
Entry Only
Entry OnlyPrice Range
$399-999
Number of Photos
20
Listing Term
6 months
- Entry Only is a real estate brokerage licensed in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT that specializes in flat-fee MLS services
- You set the buyers commission (1% minimum) and pay no commission if you find the buyer
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
- Free cancelation anytime
- Free, unlimited photo edits
- A variety of a-la-carte services like additional photos, longer listing contracts, listing on a second MLS, custom yard sign, lockbox, custom domain name, and more
$399 - Basic
| $699 - Enhanced
$999 - Premium
|
Available a-la-carte services include: more photos, longer listing contract, listing on a second MLS, custom yard sign, lockbox, custom domain name, and more
Pros
- Work directly with a local broker, not a referral service
- Free cancelation anytime
- 24/7 receptionist
- Double money back guarantee if you decide to sell with a realtor Entry Only refers you to (up to $999)
Cons
- No built-in home valuation or CMA
As of August 5, 2020, Entry Only has an average rating of 4.9/5 based on 529 reviews across Trustpilot, Google, and Facebook.
- Trustpilot: 4.9/5 (345 reviews)
- Google: 4.9/5 (103 reviews)
- Facebook: 5/5 (81 reviews)
- BBB: A
MLS Island Rhode Island
MLS IslandPrice Range
$299
Number of Photos
Max allowed on MLS
Listing Term
6 months
- MLS Island Rhode Island is part of the MLS Island network, a nationwide flat-fee MLS service
- Phone support and advice 7 days a week
- Pay no commission if you find a buyer
- All state-required documents and forms included
- Lists to the Rhode Island statewide MLS
$299
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, RILiving.com, Homes.com, and more
- Unlimited photos
- Downloadable contracts and forms
- Professional advice and phone support
- Free open house management
Pros
- Covers all of Rhode Island
- Buyers and agents contact you directly (who find your listing on statewidemls.com, Realtor.com, RILiving.com, Homes.com, etc.)
Cons
- Limited options — only one listing package available
- No built-in support or review with contracts, disclosures, counteroffers, etc.
- Limited information available on the website (policy on listing changes and cancellations, how much — contact service directly for more details
As of August 17, 2020, no third-party review information was available for MLS Island. We will update when this information becomes available.
beycome
beycomePrice Range
$99-299
Number of Photos
36
Listing Term
Until sold
- Beycome is a real estate brokerage that offers flat-fee MLS listing services to for sale by owner (FSBO) sellers in Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, and Rhode Island.
- Beycome’s lower-tier programs are also offered in California and South Carolina.
- Listing will be syndicated on other sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Redfin, IDX, and more
- Listing typically goes live within 36 hours
- Unlimited changes, photos, and no expiration on listing term
- Built-in comparative market analysis (CMA) tools
- Offers a 90-day money-back guarantee
$99 - Flat Fee MLS
| $199 - Flat Fee MLS Premium
|
Pros
- All inquiries and leads directly forwarded to you
- Built-in home valuation tools
- Unlimited listing term
- 90-day money-back guarantee (unless you close, are under contract, or you receive at least 2 legitimate offers)
- Live customer support
Cons
- While beycome offers more built-in services than most flat-fee MLS companies, you’ll still get limited service and support with your listing
- Free downloads for forms and documents, but no support or legal oversight
- Flat Fee MLS Max package not offered in California or South Carolina
FSBO.com
FSBO.comPrice Range
$399.95
Number of Photos
20
Listing Term
6 months
- FSBO.com is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with licensed brokerage MLSmart Realty, LLC. MLSmart Realty then refers you to a regional Rhode Island broker who will list your home on your local MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (FSBO.com recommends 2-3%)
- Edit or cancel anytime (may include an additional fee)
- A-la-carte services include custom yard sign, same day MLS entry, listing on a secondary MLS, Realtor.com Showcase listing, negotiation services, and more
$399.95 - Rhode Island Flat Fee MLS
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- Up to 20 MLS photos
- FSBO.com Listing
- Unlimited photos on FSBO.com
- Video Upload on FSBO.com
A-la-carte options (purchased directly from local broker) include: custom yard sign, same day MLS entry, listing on a secondary MLS, Realtor.com Showcase listing, negotiation services, and more
Pros
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission
- A-la-carte services available
Cons
- Only one package to choose from
- No home valuation included
As of August 12, 2020, FSBO.com has an average rating of 4.9/5 based on 26 reviews on Zillow and an A+ rating with Better Business Bureau.
Note: As a referral service, the reviews and service quality of your local FSBO.com broker may vary. Be sure to research your broker before signing a listing agreement.
Houzeo
HouzeoPrice Range
$199-399
Number of Photos
6 to max allowed
Listing Term
3-6 months
- Houzeo is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with Rhode Island brokers and agents who will list your home on your local MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Draft your listing, upload photos, set your price, and sign MLS contracts via Houzeo’s online dashboard
- Autofills listing details using publicly available info about your home to expedite the listing process
- Home valuation not included in service
- Does not require that you offer buyer’s agent commission
- Listing is typically live within 24 hours of submission
$199 - Bronze
| $399 - Gold
|
Pros
- Free cancellation anytime (no refunds)
- Freedom to specify any buyer’s agent commission
- Listings typically go live within 24 hours
Cons
- Limited coverage in rural areas
- “Free changes” only apply to listing’s price, status, and property description; $10 for additional changes
As of August 7, 2020, Houzeo has an average rating of 4.8/5 based on 21 reviews on Google.
» MORE: What you need to know about flat fee MLS services.
Learn more
Rhode Island is a small East Coast state that has big appeal, with some of the best beaches on the East Coast, world-class colleges from Brown University to Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and a booming, forward-looking economy. Rhode Island is one of the greenest states in America, too, with many residents and businesses using solar power. In fact, it was the first state to invest in an offshore wind farm.
Home values in Rhode Island have nearly doubled over the past decade and are now well above the national average. The market is well-positioned for a sustained boom, too. Not only is housing inventory low, but Rhode Island's economy is built on forward-thinking industries including data analytics, biomedicine, and advanced business services. These factors make Rhode Island a great (albeit expensive) market to buy into — and a wonderful market for sellers.
If you want to save thousands of dollars of commission on your Rhode Island home sale, Clever pre-negotiates a low 1.5% commission rate, or a flat fee of $3,000 if your home sells for less than $350,000, and they only work with top agents in Rhode Island. Contact Clever today to get started on your commission savings!
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 March 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