Coldwell Banker is one of the oldest and largest real estate brokerages. Since its founding in 1906, it has expanded into 45 countries, with more than 100,000 agents worldwide.[1]
When you work with a Coldwell Banker agent, you'll pay them a commission at closing. The Coldwell Banker commission rate is 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 Coldwell Banker, who offer full service for only a 1.5% listing fee. Find the top 1.5% agents in your area.
Coldwell Banker commission rate for seller's agents
Each Coldwell Banker office is independently owned and operated, with its own typical commission rates and structure.
As the seller, you can negotiate the fee directly with your listing agent.
The standard listing fee is 2.5–3% of the home’s final sale price, with the national average commission rate being 2.82%.
The Coldwell Banker commission rate covers services like:
- Setting a list price
- Lining up professional photography
- Listing and marketing the property
- Handling showings and open houses
- Walking you through the appraisal and inspection process
- Negotiating price and terms with the buyer
- Ensuring all necessary paperwork is completed
| 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% |
Coldwell Banker commission rate for buyer's agents
Coldwell Banker fees for buyer’s agents also vary by office and are negotiable. The standard buyer’s agent fee is 2.5–3% of the home’s final sale price, with the national average being 2.75%.
The seller typically pays the buyer’s agent fee. The rate used to be advertised in the home listing. But since the 2024 NAR settlement, buyers and their agents must agree to the rate in writing before viewing homes.[2] Even with this change, sellers often still cover the buyer’s agent fee as a concession to attract more buyers.
“In my buyer transactions since the NAR settlement, the seller has paid for most or all of my buyer-broker fees as part of the contract agreement,” said Joann Bauer, an independent Coldwell Banker associate broker in Arizona.
A buyer’s agent will typically:
- Find properties that match your taste and budget
- Book showings to tour homes
- Get more information about a home from the listing agent
- Advise you on how much the house might be worth based on its condition and recent local sales
- Make, negotiate, and renegotiate offers
- Attend the home inspection
- Attend the final walk-through to ensure contract stipulations have been met
- Help coordinate the closing process and moving logistics
| 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
Realtor fees are typically the largest expense for home sellers. Our real estate commission calculator can help you estimate what you’ll pay. It considers your home sale price, your state, your 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?
Generally, the only brokerage fee is the Coldwell Banker agent commission. Although “it is possible that a brokerage may charge an additional fee,” Bauer said. “A seller should ask their agent if there are any fees outside of the commission they have agreed to.”
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 a lower Coldwell Banker commission rate
Negotiate directly with an agent
The Coldwell Banker 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.[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 Coldwell Banker 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
Coldwell Banker fees for agents
Coldwell Banker agents typically pay several fees, which vary by location and office. Here’s a round-up of the general fees:[4]
| Monthly fees | Desk fee: $145–350 Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance fee: $122–350 |
| Royalty fees | 5–6% of the commission |
| Commission split | Varies (e.g., 50/50 to 90/10) |
The Coldwell Banker commission split varies. Some offices offer a 50/50 split for newer agents. In contrast, experienced agents may get a 90/10 split, with the agent keeping 90% of the commission and the brokerage getting 10%.
“That split could be different depending on a variety of factors: years of experience, sales volume, and the rate negotiated between the brokerage and the agent,” Bauer said.
