Real Estate Commission Calculator: How Much Will You Pay?

Planning to sell your home? Realtor commission fees will likely be your largest expense. Our real estate commission calculator helps you estimate what you'll pay in realtor fees.

Here's what our research found about real estate commission:[1]

• The national real estate agent commission rate average is 5.44%.
• Over 70% of sellers who used real estate agents report spending 5% or more on commission.
• Selling a $270,000 home costs $14,688 in total realtor fees, on average.
• A $540,000 home costs an average of $29,376 in total realtor fees.
• A $900,000 home costs an average of $48,960 in total realtor fees.

However, these rates aren’t fixed and can vary by market, property type, and location.

Use our calculator to see how much you could save by negotiating your commission rate or using a low commission real estate brokerage which charges a 1.5% rate.

Note: Results from our calculator are for estimation purposes only. They should not be considered 100% accurate or a final guarantee of what you'll pay a real estate agent in your transaction. 

How to use our real estate commission calculator

Our real estate commission calculator helps you understand the costs of selling your home through a traditional real estate agent versus finding your agent through Clever. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use this calculator:

1. Enter your home's estimated value. Start by inputting the expected sale price of your home. If you're unsure about this figure, consider using online estimation tools like Zillow to get a ballpark figure or connect with a local realtor for a CMA report.
2. Choose your state from the dropdown menu. The calculator will automatically use the state average commission to calculate the percentage and dollar amount paid to the listing agent and buyer's agent based on your sales price.
3. View total commission with a traditional agent vs. Clever. See what you can save by choosing Clever over traditional agent commissions. This is the difference between the total average commission paid nationwide, and Clever's average. Through Clever, sellers pay a 1.5% listing agent commission, lower than the national average of 2.77%.

Steps to calculating real estate agent commission 

Here's how to calculate real estate commission in three easy steps. 

1. Estimate your home value

Start by determining your home's projected selling price or estimated value. Here are your options:

1. Home value estimators. Quick and easy, these real estate websites offer an instant estimate based on algorithms. However, they're generally the least accurate.
2. Comparative market analysis (CMA). A CMA report is more time-consuming but offers greater accuracy because it gives you a tailored estimate based on the specific details of your home and the dynamics of the surrounding real estate market. CMAs are usually free and come with no obligation, meaning you can get one without signing an exclusive listing agreement with a real estate agent.
3. Professional appraisal. This is the most accurate but also the most costly and time-consuming option. It costs between $350–500 and takes 2–3 weeks. It's best if you're planning to sell soon.

» Find out what your home is worth! Get a free valuation from a real estate agent 

2. Determine the total commission rate

The total commission rate is the combined rate you pay the seller's and buyer's agents. 

If you're uncertain about the commission rate to input, consider using the average rate from Clever's average commission rate survey as a guideline. This survey gathered insights from over 806 experienced real estate agents nationwide, providing a reliable reference for average rates in your area.

Note that this figure doesn't include other seller closing costs, which could add 1–3% to your expenses.

3. Perform the calculation

Multiply the sales price by the commission rate to find the total commission.

For example, a $500,000 sale at a 6% commission equals $30,000 in total fees, typically split evenly between the listing and buyer's agents. Each agent would earn $15,000.

Maximizing accuracy in your home sale calculations

Consider requesting a seller's net sheet from a local realtor for a more precise estimate of your potential earnings from a home sale. 

This document offers a detailed breakdown of what you could earn from the sale. It's a more comprehensive analysis that includes:

• The sale price or estimated value from a CMA report or pre-listing appraisal. 
• Deductions for all costs — including total commission and seller closing costs — based on the agent's analysis of your local market. 

A seller's net sheet gives you a clearer picture of your net proceeds while helping you make informed decisions about your sale. Most realtors provide this service for free, without any obligation. 

However, be prepared for a sales pitch, as the realtor will likely use this opportunity to showcase their services.

Real estate agent commission split breakdown

In a typical $500,000 real estate transaction, the total 5–6% commission pays both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. 

• Buyer’s agent. Earns a share for bringing a qualified purchaser, handling negotiations, and guiding the buyer through the transaction process.
• Listing agent. Earns commission for marketing the home, facilitating the sale, coordinating showings, and completing paperwork. 

Commissions are generally split 50/50 between selling and buying agents. However, Clever's nationwide data shows sellers' agents have slightly higher earnings than their buyer counterparts.

For example, on a $361,263 with a national average commission rate of 5.44%:

• Total commission (5.44%): $19,653
• Buyer's agent (2.67%):  $9,646 
• Listing agent (2.77%): $10,007

Those averages are usually split evenly (or close to it). While agents negotiate their rates, discount brokerages like Clever offer reduced set commissions, saving clients thousands.

Who pays the buyer's agent? 

The buyer is contractually obligated to pay their agent at closing. However, most sellers offer to pay for the buyer's agent in an arrangement known as a buyer's agent concession. When the seller picks up the cost of the buyer's agent, it makes the home more affordable and easier to sell.

The majority of listing agents will recommend offering a buyer's agent concession to create a larger pool of qualified buyers. But this decision is ultimately up to the seller. A seller in a hot market may decide they don't need to pay for the buyer's agent, hoping instead they find a buyer who doesn't mind paying their own agent's commission.

How to reduce real estate agent commissions

1. Try to negotiate a lower rate

You can negotiate a lower realtor fee with any real estate agent. However, the process can be tricky and stressful, with low success rates. Only 22% of recent sellers successfully negotiated reduced fees after discussing commission rates with their agents.[2]

2. Hire a low commission realtor

Some brokerages offer standard listing services at significantly lower rates, sometimes as low as 1–2%, compared to the usual 2.5–3%.

Even a modest reduction of 0.5% in commission can lead to substantial savings. For instance, Clever Real Estate offers a competitive 1.5% listing fee with top-rated realtors, which is below the national average and can save you thousands without sacrificing service quality.

» The best low commission realtors 

3. Sell directly to a cash home buyer 

Another option is to sell your home directly to a company that buys houses for cash. 

Selling directly to a cash home buyer eliminates the need for agents, thus avoiding commission fees. This option also promises a quick, straightforward sale process without inspections or appraisal requirements.

However, the trade-off is that cash buyers typically offer less than the market value, often around 70% of the home's value after repairs, minus the repair costs. 

While you save on realtor fees, the overall profit might be lower. For the best results, compare offers from multiple cash buyers, either independently, through a realtor, or via a service like Clever Offers.

Methodology

We gathered our commission rate data from a April 2025 survey of 806 of our partner agents. The survey asked about standard local rates for both listing and buying agents.

Home values, list prices, and sale prices are based on Zillow data as of March 2025.

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