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]
Century 21 realtor fees are typically around 3%, although exact costs will vary. The company uses a franchise model, meaning each office is independent and can set its own fees. While 3% is in line with the national standard for traditional brokerages, the commission rate is negotiable.
If you want to save on realtor fees, you can pay less through Clever Real Estate. Clever negotiates 1.5% listing fees with agents from major brokerages, including Century 21. These agents offer the same full service that you would get paying full price. 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 2.77%.
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 | 2.77% |
| Alaska | 2.65% |
| Arizona | 2.74% |
| Arkansas | 2.73% |
| California | 2.61% |
| Colorado | 2.91% |
| Connecticut | 2.89% |
| Delaware | 2.73% |
| Florida | 2.65% |
| Georgia | 2.88% |
| Hawaii | 2.65% |
| Idaho | 2.88% |
| Illinois | 2.60% |
| Indiana | 2.69% |
| Iowa | 2.93% |
| Kansas | 2.93% |
| Kentucky | 2.70% |
| Louisiana | 2.84% |
| Maine | 2.76% |
| Maryland | 2.74% |
| Massachusetts | 2.89% |
| Michigan | 3.05% |
| Minnesota | 3.12% |
| Mississippi | 2.73% |
| Missouri | 2.90% |
| Montana | 2.88% |
| Nebraska | 2.93% |
| Nevada | 2.88% |
| New Hampshire | 2.76% |
| New Jersey | 2.59% |
| New Mexico | 2.78% |
| New York | 2.78% |
| North Carolina | 2.83% |
| North Dakota | 2.93% |
| Ohio | 3.14% |
| Oklahoma | 2.78% |
| Oregon | 2.65% |
| Pennsylvania | 2.75% |
| Rhode Island | 2.76% |
| South Carolina | 2.67% |
| South Dakota | 2.93% |
| Tennessee | 2.75% |
| Texas | 2.82% |
| Utah | 2.88% |
| Vermont | 2.76% |
| Virginia | 2.59% |
| Washington | 2.75% |
| Washington, D.C. | 2.95% |
| West Virginia | 2.73% |
| Wisconsin | 3.27% |
| Wyoming | 2.88% |
| National average | 2.77% |
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 2.67%.
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 | 2.91% |
| Alaska | 2.57% |
| Arizona | 2.70% |
| Arkansas | 2.68% |
| California | 2.57% |
| Colorado | 2.83% |
| Connecticut | 2.56% |
| Delaware | 2.68% |
| Florida | 2.71% |
| Georgia | 2.77% |
| Hawaii | 2.57% |
| Idaho | 2.79% |
| Illinois | 2.58% |
| Indiana | 2.66% |
| Iowa | 2.69% |
| Kansas | 2.69% |
| Kentucky | 2.71% |
| Louisiana | 2.59% |
| Maine | 2.53% |
| Maryland | 2.39% |
| Massachusetts | 2.64% |
| Michigan | 2.98% |
| Minnesota | 2.63% |
| Mississippi | 2.68% |
| Missouri | 2.87% |
| Montana | 2.79% |
| Nebraska | 2.69% |
| Nevada | 2.79% |
| New Hampshire | 2.53% |
| New Jersey | 2.33% |
| New Mexico | 2.82% |
| New York | 2.58% |
| North Carolina | 2.63% |
| North Dakota | 2.69% |
| Ohio | 2.73% |
| Oklahoma | 2.82% |
| Oregon | 2.57% |
| Pennsylvania | 2.62% |
| Rhode Island | 2.53% |
| South Carolina | 2.67% |
| South Dakota | 2.69% |
| Tennessee | 2.67% |
| Texas | 2.82% |
| Utah | 2.79% |
| Vermont | 2.53% |
| Virginia | 2.76% |
| Washington | 2.58% |
| Washington, D.C. | 2.50% |
| West Virginia | 2.68% |
| Wisconsin | 2.44% |
| Wyoming | 2.79% |
| National average | 2.67% |
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.
Are there fees besides the commission?
In most cases, sellers only pay Century 21 realtor fees.
However, each Century 21 office is independently owned, so check with your local branch to see if additional fees are included.
How to get lower Century 21 realtor fees
Negotiate directly with an agent
Before you sign a listing agreement, which specifies your agent’s commission fee, try to negotiate a lower rate. Some agents and offices will be more flexible than others, and some might only cut their rate by about half a percent. But every bit helps.
A recent NAR report found that only 22% of sellers discuss commission rates with their agents and successfully negotiate a lower fee.[3] This means most sellers are paying more in agent commission than needed simply because they won’t ask.
“We have the starting point, and agents do have some flexibility in setting their rate,” Fowler said.
To increase your chances of success, try these negotiation tactics:
- Know the average commission in your area. Knowing the typical agent rates and what sellers pay for similar homes helps you have a more confident and informed conversation with your realtor.
- Evaluate your negotiating power. Agents may be more willing to negotiate in a housing market with higher interest rates and fewer active buyers — especially if you’re selling a more expensive home in a desirable location.
- Shop around. Competition gives agents a stronger incentive to lower their fees, so interview at least 2–3 agents to determine who will offer the best services at the best price.
- Improve your home’s appeal. Pre-listing improvements, like plumbing or kitchen updates, can make your home easier to sell, and many agents will drop their rates for a smooth experience.
- Create value for the agent. Help make your transaction more appealing by presenting your home as “picture perfect,” setting a reasonable list price, and handling tasks the agent won’t have to manage.
- Work with an experienced agent. Experienced realtors know how to close a deal quickly and efficiently, so they’re often more flexible with their commission fee.
- Use the same agent for multiple transactions. When your listing agent doubles as your buyer’s agent, they also double their commission and may be willing to lower the listing fee.
» Read our in-depth guide to negotiating realtor fees.
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.
These savings are a significant help, as many people underestimate the costs of selling a home. Most homeowners can expect to pay about 9.12% of their house’s sale price in selling costs, which adds up to a national average of more than $33,000.
- 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 fees for agents
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
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.
