How commission works | Commission calculator | Best ways to save | Methodology
📊 The data:
The average total real estate agent commission rate in Dallas is 5.36% of the final sale price. Based on the latest median home sale price in Dallas ($371,777), that translates to a total cost of roughly $19,927.
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 Dallas, the average listing agent fee is 2.50%, while the average buyer’s agent fee is 2.86%.
Real estate agent commissions make up a significant portion of the closing costs for Dallas home sellers. But you don't have to pay the full 5.36% to a traditional agent. If you're selling a home in Dallas, 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 28% on realtor fees, or about $5,577 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 Dallas
| Average listing commission | 2.50% |
| Average buyer's agent commission | 2.86% |
| Total average commission | 5.36% |
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 Dallas for listing agents is 2.50% of the final home price and 2.86% for buyer's agents, for a total of 5.36%.
» LEARN: How do real estate broker commissions work?
Real estate commission calculator for Dallas
Use this commission calculator to estimate how much you'll pay in realtor fees when you sell your home in Dallas. Enter an estimate of your home's sale price, and see how much you'll pay at different commission rates.
Looking to cut down on realtor commission fees? Clever can help by pairing you with a leading local listing agent who offers a competitive rate of just 1.5%. This savvy move can result in more money staying in your pocket after the sale.
» SAVE: Sell with Clever for 1.5% listing fees and save thousands in commission!
Who pays realtor fees in Dallas?
In Texas, when you sell your home, the commission fees for the buyer's and seller's real estate agents come directly from the final sale price. There's no need to worry about paying these fees upfront.
The seller's agent justifies their commission through services such as conducting market analysis and managing the closing process. On the other side, the buyer's agent earns their commission by finding a qualified buyer who agrees to the contract terms and completes the purchase on schedule.
Rest assured, these commissions won't be an out-of-pocket expense for you. Similar to closing costs, the real estate agent commissions are subtracted from the proceeds of the sale at the time of closing.
Why do sellers pay the buyer's real estate agent commission?
Paying the buyer's agent commission can significantly boost interest in your property. By handling this expense, you make your home a more attractive option for buyers, who might otherwise struggle to cover their agent's commission on top of the down payment and closing costs. For many buyers, these additional costs are simply too steep.
Offer a competitive rate for the buyer's agent commission, and you'll find real estate agents are more eager to bring clients to your doorstep. This strategy can lead to a flurry of offers on your home. Industry insiders suggest setting the buyer's agent commission around 0.5% below the local average, which stands at 2.86% in Texas.
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 Dallas
Commission rates are not set in stone. In fact, we found that while 2.50% is the average listing commission in Dallas, rates typically fall between 1.50% and 3.00%. 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%– 3.00% |
| Buyer's agent commission | 2.50%– 3.00% |
| Total commission range | 4.00%– 6.00% |
» LEARN: What's the commission on a $1 million home?
Can I negotiate realtor commission in Dallas?
Real estate commission is always negotiable. In Texas, the 55 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 | 75% |
| Homeowners who are repeat clients | 69% |
| Homeowners with more than one property to sell | 69% |
| Seller’s situation (e.g. divorce or death in the family) | 47% |
| Higher property values | 44% |
| High competition for clients | 40% |
| Homes expected to sell quickly | 27% |
| High buyer demand in the area | 20% |
| Highly experienced home sellers | 15% |
| Houses in excellent condition | 15% |
| Periods of low housing inventory | 15% |
Negotiating realtor fees in Dallas 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 Dallas housing market |
|
Your unique circumstances will certainly play a role, but the real estate market conditions in Texas affect every home seller in your region.
Typically, in a seller's market where home sellers hold more sway than buyers, listing agents find their work a bit easier and might be more willing to consider reducing their commission rates. Conversely, in a buyer's market, it's often the other way around.
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 understand the current dynamics of your local real estate market, examine these key indicators:
- Months of inventory
- Sale to list price ratio
- Home value trends
Should these factors point to Texas being a seller's market, you're likely in a strong position to discuss a lower commission rate with your agent. However, if the market presents a mixed bag or leans in favor of buyers, convincing your realtor to go down on their fee might be more challenging.
The current state of the Dallas real estate market
| Factor | Trends | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Months of inventory | There's 1.61 months of housing inventory on the market | Seller's market |
| Sale-to-list ratio | Homes are selling for 89.38% of their listing price | Buyer's market |
| Home values | Home values have risen 15.86% year over year | Buyer's market |
» LEARN: See state-by-state average commission rates. How does your state compare?
Low commission real estate companies in Dallas
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: Clever is our top pick in Dallas-Fort Worth 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 hundreds of top DFW-area 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’s discount real estate service offers a decent value overall for most home sellers.
✅ 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 large, well-established brand with more discount realtors to choose from than many local discount real estate brokers.
🚩 Potential red flags: Redfin’s tech-centric and 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 $4,500 fee in Dallas-Fort Worth. So if your home is at or below the $300k mark, you’ll pay slightly more than the advertised 1.5% rate.
Pros
- Solid listing fee savings
- Established brand and decent agent selection
- Tech-forward approach may appeal to some sellers
Cons
- Slightly higher minimum fee vs. other Dallas-Fort Worth options
- High-volume, team-centric approach may not be for everyone
- Less agent selection than Clever
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: If you’re buying and selling a house in Dallas-Fort Worth (as opposed to selling then moving out of town), Team Nelson is a discount real estate company that’s worth looking into.
✅ Benefits and features: Big potential savings! If you also buy your new home with Team Nelson, you get a 0% listing fee when you sell your home. The company also has excellent reviews and solid sales performance.
🚩 Potential red flags: Keep in mind that the 0% listing fee is only if you buy and sell with Team Nelson. So if you’re selling but not buying, Team Nelson offers no savings. Team Nelson has fewer agents to choose from than bigger brands like Redfin and Clever, so it’s worth interviewing a few other brands to ensure you get the best fit — especially if you’re committing to sell and buy.
Pros
- Best overall savings if you sell and buy
- Highly rated by customers
- Top producer in Dallas-Fort Worth
Cons
- Savings only available if you buy and sell in DFW
- Less agent selection than brands like Clever and Redfin
» 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 Dallas'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
