Century 21 is one of the most recognizable real estate brokerages. Founded in 1971, it boasts more than 135,000 agents and 11,900 offices worldwide.[1]
When you work with a Century 21 agent, you'll pay them a commission at closing. Century 21 realtor fees are negotiable, and standard rates may vary by market, office, and the individual agent.
Most traditional brokerages charge a commission rate of 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 Century 21, who offer full service for only a 1.5% listing fee. Find the top 1.5% agents in your area.
Century 21 realtor fees for sellers
Century 21 realtor fees for listing agents usually fall around 3% of the home’s final sale price.
This is a standard listing fee. Nationally, the average commission rate is 2.82%.
A 3% commission on a $500,000 house is $15,000. However, you can — and should — negotiate this. Even a half-percentage-point drop can save you $2,500.
“We do not have a standard rate set,” said Brad Fowler, a Century 21 broker in Tennessee. “The number has to start somewhere, but it is always negotiable, and we make it clear in the listing/buyers presentation.”
Century 21 agents offer full service. For a commission, they will:
- Help you set a list price
- Line up professional photography
- List and market your home
- Handle all showings and open houses
- Explain the appraisal and inspection processes
- Negotiate price and terms with the buyer
- Help you complete all necessary paperwork
| State | Avg. listing fee |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 3.01% |
| Alaska | 2.58% |
| Arizona | 2.66% |
| Arkansas | 2.83% |
| California | 2.57% |
| Colorado | 2.83% |
| Connecticut | 2.65% |
| Delaware | 2.83% |
| Florida | 2.81% |
| Georgia | 2.76% |
| Hawaii | 2.58% |
| Idaho | 2.79% |
| Illinois | 2.85% |
| Indiana | 2.90% |
| Iowa | 2.90% |
| Kansas | 2.90% |
| Kentucky | 2.83% |
| Louisiana | 2.83% |
| Maine | 2.93% |
| Maryland | 2.83% |
| Massachusetts | 2.94% |
| Michigan | 2.85% |
| Minnesota | 3.17% |
| Mississippi | 2.83% |
| Missouri | 2.74% |
| Montana | 2.79% |
| Nebraska | 2.90% |
| Nevada | 2.79% |
| New Hampshire | 2.93% |
| New Jersey | 2.71% |
| New Mexico | 2.85% |
| New York | 3.07% |
| North Carolina | 2.81% |
| North Dakota | 2.90% |
| Ohio | 2.90% |
| Oklahoma | 3.06% |
| Oregon | 2.74% |
| Pennsylvania | 2.88% |
| Rhode Island | 2.93% |
| South Carolina | 2.83% |
| South Dakota | 2.90% |
| Tennessee | 3.08% |
| Texas | 2.88% |
| Utah | 2.79% |
| Vermont | 2.93% |
| Virginia | 2.86% |
| Washington | 2.49% |
| Washington, D.C. | 2.75% |
| West Virginia | 2.83% |
| Wisconsin | 2.99% |
| Wyoming | 2.79% |
| National average | 2.82% |
Century 21 realtor fees for buyers
Century 21 realtor fees for buyer’s agents are also in line with other national brokerages. Standard buyer’s agent fees are 2.5–3% of the home’s final sale price, with the national average being 2.75%.
Traditionally, the seller has paid the buyer’s agent fee, and the rate was advertised in the home listing. But a 2024 lawsuit settlement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) led to real estate commission changes. Buyers now negotiate the commission directly with their agent and must agree to the fee in writing.[2]
Many sellers still cover the buyer’s agent fee through seller concessions, leaving buyers to pay realtor fees that sellers don’t cover.
For a commission, a Century 21 buyer’s agent will:
- Find homes that match your budget and taste
- Book showings to tour properties
- Get more information about a home
- Determine a house’s value based on its condition and recent nearby sales
- Make, negotiate, and renegotiate offers with sellers
- Attend the home inspection
- Be the liaison between you and the seller, listing agent, and real estate attorney
- Attend the final property walk-through
- Help coordinate the closing process
| State | Avg. buyer's agent fee |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 2.92% |
| Alaska | 2.45% |
| Arizona | 2.60% |
| Arkansas | 2.82% |
| California | 2.46% |
| Colorado | 2.82% |
| Connecticut | 2.35% |
| Delaware | 2.82% |
| Florida | 2.78% |
| Georgia | 2.91% |
| Hawaii | 2.45% |
| Idaho | 2.82% |
| Illinois | 2.71% |
| Indiana | 2.80% |
| Iowa | 2.80% |
| Kansas | 2.80% |
| Kentucky | 2.82% |
| Louisiana | 2.82% |
| Maine | 2.69% |
| Maryland | 2.72% |
| Massachusetts | 2.45% |
| Michigan | 2.88% |
| Minnesota | 2.85% |
| Mississippi | 2.82% |
| Missouri | 2.78% |
| Montana | 2.82% |
| Nebraska | 2.80% |
| Nevada | 2.82% |
| New Hampshire | 2.69% |
| New Jersey | 2.52% |
| New Mexico | 2.89% |
| New York | 2.69% |
| North Carolina | 2.69% |
| North Dakota | 2.80% |
| Ohio | 2.83% |
| Oklahoma | 3.06% |
| Oregon | 2.36% |
| Pennsylvania | 2.93% |
| Rhode Island | 2.69% |
| South Carolina | 2.82% |
| South Dakota | 2.80% |
| Tennessee | 2.92% |
| Texas | 2.97% |
| Utah | 2.82% |
| Vermont | 2.69% |
| Virginia | 2.83% |
| Washington | 2.37% |
| Washington, D.C. | 2.75% |
| West Virginia | 2.82% |
| Wisconsin | 2.76% |
| Wyoming | 2.82% |
| National average | 2.75% |
Average commission calculator
When it comes to selling a home, agent fees tend to be the most significant expense for sellers. They could reach tens of thousands of dollars, so it’s essential to be prepared. Our real estate commission calculator considers your home sale price, your state, your listing agent’s commission, and the buyer’s agent commission you agree to pay (if any) to help you estimate the realtor commission you’ll pay.
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 Century 21 agent commission. However, each Century 21 office is independently owned, so check with your local branch 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 Century 21 fees
Negotiate directly with an agent
Century 21 realtor fees are negotiable. “We have the starting point, and agents do have some flexibility in setting their rate,” Fowler said. 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.[3]
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 Century 21 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
Century 21 commission split and other fees
Century 21 fees for agents vary by state and office. For instance, Fowler’s Tennessee office starts with a 70/30 split, with agents keeping 70% of the commission and the brokerage getting 30%.
“Our brokerage has three separate offices, so the split covers individual offices for agents, as well as common things that come with an office,” he said. “We provide signs and some promotional items as well.”
In most offices, the Century 21 commission split starts at 50/50. However, many agents will move up to a more favorable commission split (usually 70/30) after reaching a certain number of sales or commission amount. Top-performing agents can even keep 100% of their commission.
Agents must also pay for part or all of the Century 21 franchise cost, about 8%. Other Century 21 brokerage fees can include a monthly technology fee or a transaction fee, each of which could be a couple hundred dollars.
FAQ about Century 21 commission
Century 21 agents are paid by commission, usually around 3% of the home’s final sale price.
Century 21 typically charges a 3% listing fee, which aligns with industry standards. The exact cost will vary, though, because each Century 21 office is independently owned and operated, and commission rates are negotiable.
Yes, Century 21 is generally regarded as a reputable real estate company. However, because of its franchise model, individual experiences may vary. Each Century 21 office is independent and can set its own fees and practices.
