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 via a commission at closing. The Coldwell Banker commission rate is negotiable, and standard rates may vary by office.
Most traditional brokerages charge a commission rate of 2.5–3% of the home's final sale price.
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 2.77%.
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 | 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% |
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 2.67%.
The seller traditionally pays the buyer’s agent fee. The rate used to be advertised in the home listing. However, a 2024 settlement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) changed how these real estate commissions are handled.
Home buyers now negotiate the commission directly with their agent. They must agree to the fee in writing before the agent can provide any services.[2]
Despite the change, it’s still common for the seller to cover the buyer’s agent fee through a seller concession. This can widen the pool of potential buyers, since 66% of first-time home buyers can't afford their agent’s commission on top of closing costs and a down payment.[3] Whatever the seller doesn't cover, the buyer has to pay.
“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 | 2.91% |
| 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
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).
Are there fees besides the commission?
Generally, Coldwell Banker agent fees are the only fees sellers must pay.
“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.”
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. Even a small drop, like 0.5%, could help you save $2,500 on a $500,000 home.
Negotiate the rate before you sign a listing agreement, which will specify the commission fee.
Some agents may not be flexible, while others might not cut their cost by much more than half a percent. Only 22% of sellers discuss commission rates with their agent and successfully negotiate a lower fee.[4]
Use these negotiation tactics to improve your chances of success:
- Know the local commission rates. Being informed will help you approach negotiations with more confidence.
- Evaluate your negotiating power. A challenging housing market can work to your advantage — especially if you’re selling a higher-priced home or in a desirable neighborhood.
- Compare agents. Some agents have more flexibility with rates than others, so interview at least 2–3 to find one that offers the best value.
- Increase your home’s appeal. A move-in-ready home makes the selling process smoother for realtors, who may be more likely to offer lower rates for properties that will likely sell faster.
- Create value for the agent. Consider ways to reduce your agent’s workload or costs, such as skipping 3D tours or having a friend who’s a professional photographer take listing photos for free.
- Work with an experienced agent. Seasoned agents often have more flexibility with their commission.
- Use the same agent for both transactions. If you use the same agent to buy and sell, they’ll earn two commissions and will be more likely to cut the usual rate they'd charge for each commission.
» Read our in-depth guide to negotiating realtor fees.
Find a low-commission agent
Coldwell Banker agents in the Clever Real Estate network have already agreed to lower commission rates. You can get a guaranteed 1.5% listing fee without having to negotiate the rate yourself.
These are traditional, full-service agents who typically charge standard listing fees. But if you find them through Clever, they offer lower rates.
Traditional Coldwell Banker realtor fees could be 3%, which would cost you $15,000 in commission on a $500,000 home. A 1.5% fee would save you $7,500.
Saving on realtor fees can make a significant difference when you count closing costs and other expenses associated with selling a home. Nationally, the average cost to sell a house is more than $32,000.
- 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
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:[5]
| 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., 40–45% of the commission) |
The Coldwell Banker commission split varies by location. Some offer a 55/45 split, with the agent keeping 55% of the commission and the brokerage getting 45%. Other offices give a 60/40 split.
“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.
