Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is one of the largest luxury real estate brokers in the country, with over 45,000 agents.
Berkshire Hathaway real estate commission rates aren't fixed. The broker doesn’t set these rates — individual agents negotiate them with their clients before signing a contract. Standard rates may also vary by market and office.
In a typical real estate transaction, realtor fees are 2.5–3% of the home's final sale price per agent.
But you could pay less with a low-commission agent. Clever Real Estate can connect you with local agents from major brokerages, including Berkshire Hathaway, who offer full service for only a 1.5% listing fee. Find the top 1.5% agents in your area.
Berkshire Hathaway real estate commission rates for sellers
Berkshire Hathaway agent fees are negotiated between the seller and their listing agent and agreed to in writing in the listing agreement.
A standard listing fee is 2.5–3% of the home’s final sale price. Nationally, the average real estate commission rate is 2.82%. So, on a $500,000 home, the listing agent’s commission would be about $13,700.
For this price, a Berkshire Hathaway realtor’s services include:
- Determining a list price
- Arranging professional photography
- Listing and marketing the home
- Scheduling showings and open houses
- Helping you navigate the appraisal and inspection
- Negotiating offers with buyers
- Completing all necessary paperwork
“It is the realtor/broker who assumes risk in the transaction for the ... seller, and the agent needs to be compensated for their time, knowledge, and experience,” said Mike Zschunke, a Berkshire Hathaway associate broker in Arizona.
Berkshire Hathaway real estate commission rates for buyers
Berkshire Hathaway fees for buyers are also negotiable and can vary by office. Typically, the buyer’s agent fee is 2.5–3% of the home’s final sale price, with a national average of 2.75%.
Buyer’s agent services include:
- Finding properties that match your criteria and budget
- Booking showings to tour homes
- Learning more about a house by contacting the listing agent
- Helping you determine a home’s fair market value
- Negotiating with the seller and their agent
- Attending the home inspection
- Representing you to the seller, listing agent, and real estate attorney
- Attending the final property walk-through
- Coordinating the closing process
Traditionally, the seller has paid the buyer’s agent commission and advertised the rate in the home listing. But after a 2024 NAR lawsuit, home buyers now negotiate the fee directly with their agent. They must also agree to the fee in writing before viewing homes.[1]
However, many sellers still cover the buyer’s agent fees through seller concessions.
“I let (the seller) know upfront that they will most likely be asked to pay buyer agent fees and to be ready for it, but let’s make them ask for it,” Zschunke said. “I personally have not seen any change in overall compensation. Just the fact that we are required to have more documentation stating that the conversation took place.”
Average commission calculator
Home sellers could pay tens of thousands of dollars in real estate agent commission, making it their largest expense.
Our real estate commission calculator can help you prepare by estimating what you’ll pay. Simply enter your home sale price, state, listing agent’s commission, and the buyer’s agent commission (if you decide to cover it).
Total realtor fees
When you find your agent through Clever, your listing commission is just 1.5% instead of the average 2.82%.
Are there fees besides the commission?
In most cases, the only brokerage fee is the Berkshire Hathaway agent commission. Check with your local office to see if additional fees are included.
Aside from brokerage fees, you may still owe standard seller closing costs in your market, such as title fees, transfer taxes, and recording charges.
How to get lower Berkshire Hathaway real estate commission rates
Negotiate directly with an agent
The Berkshire Hathaway commission rate is negotiable, so don’t be afraid to talk about it with your realtor before you sign a listing agreement. Even a small drop, like 0.5%, could help you save $2,500 on a $500,000 home.
Some agents may not be flexible, while others might not cut their rate by much more than half a percent. Only 22% of sellers discuss commission rates with their agent and successfully negotiate a lower fee.[2]
Use smart negotiation tactics to boost your chances of success: know local commission rates so you can aim for a realistic number, understand your leverage based on your home’s value and market conditions, compare multiple agents to see who’s most flexible, and consider using the same agent for both buying and selling so they’re more willing to offer a reduced rate.
Find a low-commission agent
Some Berkshire Hathaway agents have already agreed to lower commission rates. In a partnership with Clever Real Estate, these agents charge only 1.5% versus the standard 3%. On a $500,000 home, that cuts the commission in half, from $15,000 to $7,500.
Saving on realtor commission fees doesn’t mean compromising on quality. These low-commission agents offer the same full service that other higher-priced agents provide. Find top agents from major brokerages who offer a lower rate.
- Answer 5 simple questions about your sale
- Get matched with 2 to 3 top local agents in minutes
- Choose the best fit and save up to 50% on listing fees
Berkshire Hathaway commission split and other fees
Berkshire Hathaway agents typically pay several fees, which vary by location and office. Here’s what they can look like:
| Commission split | Varies (e.g., 60/40 to 90/10) |
| Royalty fees | 6–7% of the commission |
| Other | $295–625 |
Berkshire Hathaway commission split
Some sources list the Berkshire Hathaway commission split as starting at 60/40, with 60% of the commission from a sale going to the agent and 40% going to the brokerage.
Experienced Berkshire Hathaway agents with high sales volumes can negotiate more favorable splits of 80/20 or even 90/10 in some cases.
Ultimately, the Berkshire Hathaway commission split is negotiated between the agent and the broker, and it may be affected by other factors like the region where the broker is located.
Agents split their commission with a brokerage like Berkshire Hathaway because they must work under a broker unless they hold their own broker license. Also, brokers typically offer marketing materials, tech tools, sales resources, and sometimes office space.
Royalty fees
Berkshire Hathaway charges an ongoing 6–7% royalty fee on profits. This is typical since most major franchises charge a fee to their brokers, and it is the responsibility of the broker to collect and pay this fee.
The franchise fee is usually deducted from the commission before it is split between the broker and the agent.
For example, if the commission is $10,000, then $700 (7%) would be deducted for the royalty fee, and the remaining $9,300 would be split between the broker and the agent.
Other Berkshire Hathaway fees for agents
Other Berkshire Hathaway fees for agents can be $295–625 per transaction, depending on the office and location.[3]
FAQ about Berkshire Hathaway agents
How much do Berkshire Hathaway real estate agents make?
How much a Berkshire Hathaway real estate agent makes depends on their commission rate, commission split with their broker, and the local market.
Berkshire Hathaway agents may start with a 60/40 commission split, meaning that they keep 60% of their commission and pass the other 40% along to the Berkshire Hathaway broker.
This split can change over time and become more favorable for the agent if their sales increase and they gain more experience.
Do Berkshire Hathaway agents make a base salary?
No — Berkshire Hathaway agents get paid entirely by commission. This can be a serious motivator for agents who have confidence in their ability to sell.
Because Berkshire Hathaway specializes in luxury real estate, the amount that agents could potentially earn from their commissions is much higher than it would be if they were selling starter or middle-class homes.
Berkshire Hathaway doesn’t deal exclusively with high-end property, but it does make up the bulk of its business.
Is Berkshire Hathaway good for new agents?
While Berkshire Hathaway has a favorable starting commission split of 60/40 for new agents, it can be difficult to sell luxury real estate with little to no experience.
Agents with other brokers may make less money per sale, but they’ll be in a better position to learn the ins and outs of the complicated real estate transaction process before jumping into a specialized form of real estate.
How many agents does Berkshire Hathaway have?
Berkshire Hathaway has a global network of over 45,000 real estate agents in more than 1,400 offices.
