How commission works | Save on commission | West Virginia housing market | Best low commission companies | Methodology
📊 The data:
We surveyed local agents and found that the average real estate commission in West Virginia is 5.44%, which is higher than the national average of 5.37%.
To sell a house in West Virginia worth $144,330 — the median home value in West Virginia — you’ll pay about $7,852 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 5.44%.
Clever Real Estate could help you save thousands on commission by pre-negotiating 1% listing fees with full-service West Virginia realtors from top brokerages.
On that same $144,330 home — you'd pay just $6,900, up to 12% 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 | 2.72% |
Average buyer's agent commission | 2.72% |
Total average commission | 5.44% |
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 2.72% of the final home price and 2.72% for buyer's agents, for a total of 5.44%.
» LEARN: How do real estate commissions work?
Who pays realtor fees in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, 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% (or $3,000), keeping more money in your pocket at the end of your sale.
How to save on realtor fees in West Virginia
Commission rates are not set in stone. In fact, we found that while 5.44% is the average in West Virginia, rates typically fall between 4.71% and 6.17%. 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 | 2.35%– 3.08% |
Buyer's agent commission | 2.36%– 3.09% |
Total commission range | 4.71%– 6.17% |
Tips for negotiating realtor commission in West Virginia
Whether you’re selling a rental in Frostburg, a cabin in Snowshoe, or a historic mansion in Charleston, you can almost always save thousands by negotiating a lower commission rate.
Negotiating a lower realtor percentage in West Virginia 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 West Virginia housing market |
|
While your personal situation will obviously vary, West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia real estate market
Factor | Trends | Indication |
|---|---|---|
Months of inventory | There's 1.6 months of housing inventory on the market | Seller's market |
Sale-to-list ratio | Homes are selling for 97.59% of their listing price | Buyer's market |
Home values | Home values have risen 26.76% year over year | Seller's market |
Low commission real estate companies in West Virginia
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 West Virginia.
The top discount real estate companies in West Virginia
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 West Virginia
Flat fee MLS services list your home on your local MLS for a low fee, often around $100–$300. The trade-off is that you'll have to handle almost the entire home-selling process yourself.
Flat Fee Realty
Flat Fee RealtyPrice Range
$199
Number of Photos
Listing Term
6 months
- Flat Fee Realty is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, licensed in Connecticut, that connects you with West Virginia brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- You set buyer’s agent commission
- MLS photo upgrade available for $50
- State disclosures and forms available
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Refund available within 30 days of purchase
$199 - MLS Listing package
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 6 Photos
- Free state disclosures
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
MLS photo upgrade available for $50
Pros
- Unlimited listing changes
- No cancellation fee
- Free state disclosures
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Refund available within 30 days of purchase
Cons
- No built-in home valuation or market analysis
- Limited coverage in rural areas
As of August 11, 2020, no third-party reviews exist for Flat Fee Realty. We will update when this information becomes available.
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 West Virginia 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)
$399.95 - West Virginia 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 the local broker) include: lockbox, Realtor.com Showcase, and yard signs
Pros
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission
- Additional a-la-carte options
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.
MLS My Home
MLS My HomePrice Range
$49-99
Number of Photos
5-25
Listing Term
6 months
- MLS My Home is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Listings posted on the MLS within 24-48 hours
- Buyer and agent inquiries forwarded to you
- Set your own buyer’s agent commission (within a required range in some locations, e.g. 2-3%)
- Pay no buyer’s agent commission if you find an unrepresented buyer
- Cancel anytime
$49
| $69
|
Available packages, services, and pricing depend on location. Check the website for details about your local options.
Pros
- Cancel anytime
- No commission if you find the buyer
- Buyer inquiries forwarded directly to you
Cons
- Limited options and many states
- No built-in home valuation
- May not offer complete coverage in your state
As of August 17, 2020, MLS My Home has an average rating of 2.5/5 based on 280 reviews across Trustpilot, Yelp, and Facebook.
- Trustpilot: 2.6/5 (236 reviews)
- Yelp: 1/5 (18 reviews)
- Facebook: 2.7/5 (26 reviews)
- BBB: F
Note: MLS My Home will refer you to an independent, local broker who’s level of service and customer reviews may vary from MLS My Home’s, so be sure to research the broker before signing a listing agreement.
Fizber
FizberPrice Range
$295-395
Number of Photos
6-25
Listing Term
6 months
- Fizber is a flat-fee MLS referral service that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- Requires that you offer buyer’s agent commission between 1-3%
- Listing is typically live within 24 hours of submission
- Fizber also offers an array of free resources and online tools (including home valuations), as well as à-la-carte downloadable forms and guidelines, such as disclosures, contracts, counteroffers, and more
$295 - MLS Boost
| $395 - Premium MLS Boost
|
Fizber also offers two non-MLS listing options:
$0 - Free Listing:
| $95 - Digital Boost
|
Pros
- Basic package includes social media postings — premium package includes target social ads
- Listing appears on MLS within 24 hours of submission
- Refundable up to 30 days
Cons
- Listing expires after 6 months — can renew listing for a discounted rate
- Only 6 photos with basic MLS listing package
- Making changes to your listing may incur additional fees
As of August 5, 2020, Fizber has an average rating of 3.6/5 based on 88 reviews on Trustpilot and has a B- rating on the Better Business Bureau.
ISoldMyHouse.com
iSoldMyHouse.comPrice Range
$299-399
Number of Photos
6-25
Listing Term
6-12 months
- ISoldMyHouse.com is a nationwide flat-fee MLS referral service, operated by Get Listed Realty, that connects you with local brokers and agents who will list your home on the MLS for a pre-negotiated rate
- You set buyer’s agent commission (recommend 2%-3%)
- Listing is live within 24 hours
- No cancellation fee
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- $299 - Get LISTED
- 6-month listing on MLS
- Syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more
- 6 or 10 Photos
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- Contracts, disclosures, and other forms
- Seller-managed ISoldMyHouse.com listing
- $399 - Get SOLD
- Same as Get LISTED package, plus:
- 25 photos
- 12-month listing on MLS (in some states)
A-la-carte services include signs, lockboxes, and more
Additional fees may apply or services may differ if you live in a state with laws about minimum brokerage service requirements.
Pros
- Unlimited listing changes
- Buyer leads forwarded to you
- No cancellation fee
- Free online guides and articles for selling a home without a realtor
- Easy social media sharing on all the major platforms
Cons
- The network of affiliate brokers doesn’t cover every county in the country
- Only 6-10 photos in base package
- No built-in home valuation or market analysis
As of August 11, 2020, iSoldMyHouse.com has an average rating of 4.1/5 based on 8 reviews on BirdEye and has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau.
» MORE: What you need to know about flat fee MLS services.
Learn More
West Virginia is known as the Mountain State for a reason. Home to the Appalachians, the state offers some of the best outdoor scenery and activities on the East Coast. Residents can enjoy everything from skiing to whitewater rafting, hiking, and hunting, all within the tenth-smallest state in the U.S. West Virginia is also one of the most affordable states in America, with a cost of living that’s well below the national average.
The West Virginia housing market has been on a steady rise over the past decade, with list prices slightly outpacing home values over the short term, suggesting that sellers are optimistic. The state has a very stable economy and population, so buying in West Virginia is a pretty safe bet for homeowners and investors alike.
Clever takes the guesswork out of lowering your commission by pre-negotiating a super-low commission rate of only 1.5%, or a flat fee of $3,000 if your home sells for less than $350,000. Better yet, they only work with West Virginia’s top agents. Contact Clever today to find out how much they can save you on commission!
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