Yes, realtor fees are negotiable, and asking works more often than most sellers expect. In our July 2026 survey of 500 recent home sellers, only 33% of sellers who used an agent asked for a lower commission. Of those who asked, 93% got one.[1]
Our recent survey found the average total real estate commission in the US is 5.46%.[2] Shave even one percentage point off that on a $500,000 sale and you keep an extra $5,000 in your pocket.
Negotiating can still be stressful, and it may be tough if you don't have much bargaining power. If you'd rather skip the back-and-forth, a service like Clever Real Estate matches you with top local agents at a listing fee that's as low as 1.5% instead of the standard 3% — saving about $7,000 on average. Answer 5 short questions, connect with top agents, and pay half the typical commission.
Your chances of success go up when you come prepared — knowing the average rates in your area, your leverage, and the strategies that make agents more open to lowering their fees. Our guide provides the short version first, then the full playbook.
🤝 Are realtor fees negotiable?
Yes, realtor fees are negotiable. Here are the essential steps:
- Know your local rate. Look up the average listing commission where you're selling so you have a number to anchor to.
- Evaluate your leverage. A high-value, move-in-ready home in a hot market gives you the most room to negotiate.
- Compare three or more agents. A competing quote gives you a real number to negotiate against, and agents lower their rates more often when they know they're competing for your listing.
- Trade workload for a lower rate. Offer to handle showings, photos, or a first-draft listing to justify a smaller fee.
For a more complete overview, see the 7 steps for negotiating below.
🎥 Watch: How to negotiate realtor fees (5 tips from real agents)
In this 5-minute video, I asked three agents why so few sellers negotiate, what to say when you ask, and what makes an agent say yes.
How to negotiate realtor fees in 7 steps
1. Know the average commission rate in your area
Real estate commission can differ significantly depending on your state, city, or even neighborhood. What’s normal in one place might seem expensive somewhere else.
For example, our research shows that total commission rates average as low as 4.62% in New York, but as high as 6.00% in Virginia. Typically, areas with lower home values have slightly higher commission rates.
Knowing your local rate matters because some agents will quote you whatever they think you'll accept. Wayne Newcomb, who sells homes in the Albany area, still runs into listings priced well above the norm.
"All commissions in New York State are negotiable. Okay, that's a fact," Newcomb says. "I still occasionally walk into someone's house and the agent's trying to charge nine, ten percent. I've seen that." Most rates in his market run about 5% to 5.5%, he says, but "most agents will try to get what they can from the seller."
A local average gives you a number to point to, which also helps with a common worry: nearly 4 in 10 homeowners (38%) worry about paying too much in commission.[3]
» Look up your state’s average realtor fees and commission breakdown
2. Evaluate your negotiating power
Agents are more open to negotiating than they were two years ago. In our August 2026 survey of 434 agents, 42% said they're more open to negotiating than before the NAR settlement, and just 7% said they're less open.[4]
Agents also say the job got harder, so not every agent will move. "We're in a tougher market than we were a few years ago," says Jake Kubota, a listing agent in the Chicago suburbs. "The work we're doing has almost doubled for effectively the same pay."
Your leverage depends mostly on how much work your sale will take. "It comes down to whether the expectation from the seller matches the amount of work it's going to take from the listing agent," Kubota says.
Joanne Cleaver, a former real estate editor for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and author of a book on negotiating realtor commissions, suggests turning that work into an hourly rate.
"Start by estimating how long selling your home might take (shorter for starter homes, longer for luxury properties), then calculate the typical commission an agent would earn and break it down into an hourly rate," Cleaver advises.
For instance, if a house is likely to sell in two weeks, a realtor might only need 30 to 40 hours of work. On a $20,000 commission, that works out to $500 to $667 an hour. That number gives you a clear picture of what you're paying for and a starting point for a counteroffer.
💪 Factors impacting your negotiating power
1. Your home's value
Higher-priced homes tend to get lower commission rates, often without much pushing. A smaller percentage of a high-value home still adds up to a big paycheck for the agent.
"Some luxury, high-price homes: I have seen the commission rate decrease as the value goes up," says Elliott Grozan, a Clever Partner Agent with Denovo Realty on Florida's Space Coast.
I saw this as an agent, too. I once had a listing valued at just over $1 million. I proposed a 3% rate and was happy to accept 2.5% when the seller pushed back, because the payout was still substantial.
An agent might decide that a smaller percentage of a $1 million home is worth more than a larger percentage of a $350,000 home, even though both take about the same effort to sell. That's also why lower-priced homes have less room to negotiate. Grozan sees rates go up on lower-end properties that need a specific buyer, such as a cash buyer, "because the person has to work that much harder and the reward's smaller."
2. Your home's desirability
Condition and appeal matter as much as price. A well-kept home in a good location sells faster, and that makes agents more willing to cut their rate.
"I've seen some agents say, 'Hey, if it sells in 14 days or less, I'll knock a point off,'" Grozan says.
"In a reasonably balanced market, homes that are 'picture-perfect' and move-in ready, with a reasonable price, give sellers leverage with agents," says Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty. "These homes are the easiest to sell and don't need extra agent effort."
I once agreed to 2%, below the market average, for a home in a highly desirable neighborhood with top-rated schools. I knew it would sell quickly and take minimal work on my part, so the lower fee was worth it.
Fixer-uppers and homes that need major repairs are the opposite. They're harder to market and sell, so agents are less likely to budge. In my experience, taking on a hard-to-sell property at a reduced rate rarely makes sense given the extra time it takes to find a buyer and close.
» Best home improvements to make before selling
3. Your local real estate market
How fast homes sell near you also affects your leverage, and so does how well the agent knows the area.
"I personally am a lot more inclined [to discount] if the property's in my backyard, if it's a neighborhood I'm super familiar with, and if I can see days on market for homes there are very quick," Kubota says.
"For example, if properties in your area are selling rapidly, often within 30 days, the broker's marketing expenses are likely lower, which could be a point for negotiation," says Michael J. Vestuto, a real estate professional based in Las Vegas, NV.
Markets with lots of agents and few listings also favor sellers. Grozan says agents he spoke with in Miami told him "there's so many agents with no business that if you just ask them to lower their commission, they do it in a heartbeat."
4. The sale season
The timing of your sale also affects what you can negotiate.
During the spring and early summer, when buyer demand peaks, agents have plenty of listings and less reason to lower their rates.
In slower stretches, like winter and the holidays, agents compete for fewer listings and may be more willing to cut their fee to win yours. If your timeline is flexible, listing in the off-season can give you more bargaining power.
3. Shop around
Agents and brokerages offer different pricing and service models. Some are firm on commission, and others adjust their fees and services to fit your needs.
Most sellers skip this step. In our seller survey, 65% of sellers who used an agent interviewed only one, which left them no competing quote to negotiate against.[1]
When I was an agent, I was more willing to negotiate if I knew a seller was talking to other agents. Newcomb sees the same thing from the other side of the table. "I tell people, put my statistics, my experience and my commission combined, I'll put it against any realtor out there," he says. "If there's someone else that's interviewing multiple realtors, at that point, they care about that."
Interview at least three agents. That's enough to compare rates and service, and it gives you a real quote to bring up in the next interview. It's also worth looking at discount brokerages or agent-matching services that build the savings in, though service quality varies, so vet them the same way.
🚫 Avoid junk fees
Vestuto, the real estate professional based in Las Vegas, advises being vigilant about paying "junk fees" such as broker, administrative, or transaction fees. These fees are added to the commission and can increase the total cost of selling your home.
These types of fees are not mandatory and can often be negotiated. Here are some tips to avoid paying these fees.
- Ask questions in the interview. Don’t hesitate to ask why each fee is being charged and how it contributes to the sale of your home.
- Negotiate. Remember, every aspect of the realtor's fee structure is open to discussion. If a fee seems unreasonable or unclear, discuss it with your agent or broker.
- Compare agents. When interviewing agents, ask about all potential fees. Choose an agent who is transparent about their commission rate and all fees charged.
- Seek legal advice. If you're unsure about any fees, consider consulting a real estate attorney for clarification.
By staying informed and assertive, you can avoid unnecessary costs and keep more money in your pocket when selling your home.
4. Improve your home's appeal
Pre-listing improvements can significantly boost your home's appeal to potential buyers. Simple updates like repainting, landscaping, or deep-cleaning carpets can make a big impact on your home's presentation, both in photos and during showings. And for many sellers, these updates feel essential — 46% worry that skipping repairs might prevent their home from selling.[3]
Research backs up the value of pre-listing repairs. Painting and landscaping consistently rank among the top home improvement projects for return on investment. In fact, 76% of sellers report making repairs or updates before or after listing their homes.[5]
Sellers most commonly tackle plumbing, kitchen updates, electrical work, painting, and minor roof repairs before listing. For more on which improvements pay off, see our guide to the best home improvements for resale.
Move-in-ready homes not only attract buyers but also make the selling process smoother for your real estate agent. Many agents, including myself, are more likely to offer lower commission rates for well-prepared and fairly priced homes since they sell faster.
If your home needs more than just cosmetic updates and you're uncertain where to begin, a pre-listing inspection is a smart move. It helps identify potential issues early, allowing you to address them proactively and avoid delays or complications during negotiations.
5. Trade workload for a lower commission
Partnering with a skilled agent is key, but you can also help make the transaction seamless and appealing. Present your home as "picture perfect," set a reasonable list price (not an aspirational one), and handle tasks the agent won’t have to manage.
"It gives the agent something of value in exchange for commission changes," advises Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty.
When negotiating commission rates, think about ways to reduce your agent’s workload or costs:
- Offer to skip open houses or 3D tours if you don’t feel it necessary.
- Suggest alternatives, such as a friend who’s a professional photographer who could take listing photos for free.
- Handle minor showings yourself if your schedule allows, especially weeknight or weekend windows the agent would otherwise drive across town for.
- Offer to write a first-draft listing description for the agent to review and polish.
Keep in mind that cutting key services to lower costs might backfire. Your agent's priority is to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, so eliminating important tools could impact your home's marketability — or even your agent's willingness to work with you. Strive to find a balance that benefits both you and your agent.
📃 Negotiation script: what to actually say
Grozan's advice is to bring a comparison. "You can't just go in blind and say, 'I'm only meeting with you. Would you take a percentage point off?' They're gonna say no," he says. Instead, he'd tell the agent: "Hey, we're interviewing a couple other agents. This person said XYZ, pretty much right in line with you, but they're gonna do it for 2%."
Use these lines when you sit down with an agent:
Compare rates: "I've talked to two other agents who quoted 2.5%. Are you able to match that?"
Trade workload: "My home is move-in ready, and I can handle weekend showings and the first-draft listing. Since this won't need much marketing, can you come down to 2.5%?"
Bundle buy + sell: "I'm buying my next home too. If you represent me on both sides, can you lower the listing rate?"
Ask for extras: "If you can't move on the rate, can you add a 3D tour or paid social media ads to the listing?"
The way the agent handles your request also tells you something. "Having that conversation is important because it can show you how good of a negotiator your listing agent or your buyer's agent is," Kubota says. An agent who can calmly defend their rate or offer a counter will probably do the same with buyers.
What if your agent won't lower their rate?
Ask for more service instead. "Maybe an agent can't come down significantly on their fee, but maybe they can throw in some extras on the listing, whether it's a 3D tour or paid social media marketing," Kubota says.
Then compare agents on what you'll take home at closing. "An agent could charge you 6%, but if they sold it for $200,000 more than what you thought you were going to get, 6% seems like a great deal," Kubota says. Ask each agent for recent sale prices relative to list prices and their average days on market, and compare those numbers with the rate.
Or you can skip the negotiation by finding an agent who offers a lower rate upfront. Clever can help by connecting you with skilled agents who charge as low as 1.5% (versus the traditional 2.5-3%). Just take a quick quiz to get matched with trusted, low-commission agents in your area.
6. Work with an experienced agent
Choosing an agent solely because they're willing to accept a lower commission is often a mistake. Weak or inexperienced agents (less than 2 years of experience) may offer lower rates, but they often lack the skills seasoned professionals provide.
"Be careful with this, as you’ll need to guide that agent through the transaction yourself. While it might lower your commission, it doesn’t always lead to the best financial outcome," cautions Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty.
Not all newer agents charge less, either. According to Vestuto, newer agents often face higher brokerage fees and stricter oversight, which limits how much they can discount.
Some strong agents won't discount at all, and that doesn't automatically mean they're overcharging. "If you want a good agent that has the numbers to back up their service, they're going to be able to prove to you why they're worth every penny of that commission," Grozan says. He compares it to hiring a lawyer: "Sure, you can get one with a $2,000 retainer, but you're gonna get destroyed in court by your ex-spouse that has the one with the $10,000 retainer."
"My sellers do not have any room to negotiate my commission, regardless of the home's price point," says Justin Chau, a Realtor with eXp Realty of Greater Los Angeles in San Gabriel, CA. "The sellers are hiring me for my service; I cannot promise the same quality service at a discounted fee." In his market, where homes over $1 million are the norm and hot ones sell within a week, that confidence is often justified.
Experience shows up in the numbers. While 49% of agents sell only one or zero homes a year — and 70% sell five or fewer[6] — seasoned agents with 6–15 years of experience typically close 12 deals a year working full-time. Many sellers recognize that value: 43% say the guidance of a trusted agent would boost their confidence during the sale.
7. Use the same agent for multiple transactions
Using the same agent to sell your current home and buy a new one can be a savvy negotiation strategy. By handling both transactions, the agent earns a higher total commission, making them more likely to negotiate lower rates on the selling side.
For example, I once worked with a client who sold their home to purchase a new construction property. I agreed to a reduced commission on the sale because I also earned a 2.5% commission on the purchase, resulting in a combined payout of about 5%.
This approach also offers added convenience since one agent gains a complete understanding of your preferences and needs, streamlining both transactions. It’s a win-win that can lead to smoother experiences and better deals for both parties.
👋 When to walk away from negotiations
Negotiations are about finding a win-win solution, but sometimes the best move is knowing when to walk away. If the terms don’t align with your needs or expectations, it’s okay to step back.
Set clear boundaries and deal-breakers before you start negotiating — and be ready to stick to them.
For example, maybe you expect the agent to handle open houses and staging recommendations. If they charge additional fees for these services beyond the commission rate, you may want to walk away.
Walking away can be a powerful tactic, but it’s important to use it strategically. Stand firm on what’s essential for you, but stay open to some compromise. The goal is to find common ground.
Who pays realtor fees (after the 2024 NAR settlement)?
Sellers still typically foot the bulk of the commission bill, but the rules around the buyer's agent's fee changed with the 2024 NAR settlement. Here's how it breaks down.
Commission is usually split between two agents: the listing agent (who represents the seller) and the buyer's agent. The seller pays the listing side directly out of sale proceeds.
What changed is the buyer's side. More than two years after the landmark settlement, buyer-agent fees are no longer advertised on the MLS, and direct negotiation between a buyer and their agent is now standard.[7] So who pays? Buyers are now formally responsible for their agent's fee — but savvy sellers often still cover it, typically 2–2.5%, through negotiated concessions to attract more buyers and stronger offers.
“Once they hear my explanation, most still pay the buyer's agent, especially with homes sitting longer on the market,” says Brandi Brooks, a realtor in Memphis, TN, who notes that more sellers are asking about the consequences of not offering a commission.
Your leverage on the buyer's agent fee depends on demand for your home. "If your home is only getting one offer, it's really hard to negotiate a buyer agent fee, because you don't have a lot of leverage," Kubota says. "If you're priced well, the home's in good shape and you have five or six offers, you have a lot more leverage."
Buyers can negotiate their side, too. Under the new rules, a buyer must sign an agreement outlining their agent's fee before work begins — so it's worth discussing upfront what happens if the seller doesn't cover the full amount. An experienced agent can help either side weigh whether a buyer's agent fee concession makes sense. For the full picture, see our guides to the NAR settlement and seller concessions.
How to avoid realtor fees when selling
You can't usually avoid all realtor fees, but you can cut the biggest one — the listing commission — with three real paths. Each comes with a trade-off.
- Sell for sale by owner (FSBO). Skip the listing agent entirely and handle pricing, marketing, showings, and negotiations yourself. You save the listing fee, but FSBO homes typically sell for less and take longer.
- Use a flat-fee MLS service. Pay a few hundred dollars to get your home on the MLS without a full-service listing agent — you still do the legwork, but you gain buyer visibility.
- Hire a discount broker. Keep full or near-full service at a reduced listing rate, splitting the difference between FSBO and a traditional agent.
Even if you skip the listing agent, you'll often still offer a buyer's-agent concession to attract offers — so you rarely avoid every fee. Weigh the savings against the time, effort, and potential lower sale price.
How much can I save by negotiating?
Even a small reduction adds up. Here's what different rate cuts save on three sale prices:
| Rate reduction | $500,000 sale | $700,000 sale | $1 million sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25% | $1,250 | $1,750 | $2,500 |
| 0.50% | $2,500 | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| 0.75% | $3,750 | $5,250 | $7,500 |
| 1.00% | $5,000 | $7,000 | $10,000 |
What's the lowest commission a realtor will take?
Realtor commissions can go as low as 1.5% compared to the typical 2.5–3% most listing agents charge. However, rates that low often come from limited-service agents who don’t provide full support — help with pricing, marketing, or negotiating may be scaled back.
Traditional, full-service agents from top brokerages rarely lower their commissions. When they do, it’s usually a small discount (maybe 0.5%) and more probable for high-value homes, repeat clients, or properties that are likely to sell quickly.
That means it’s very difficult to get the lowest possible rate just by negotiating on your own.
Low-commission companies like Clever Real Estate solve this by pre-negotiating listing fees as low as 1.5% with top, full-service agents from trusted brokerages like RE/MAX and Keller Williams. You get the same expert service and support — at a fraction of the typical cost.
Use the calculator below to compare the average listing fee with a low commission rate.
Real Estate Commission Calculator
Enter a price between $100,000 and $20,000,000
Enter a percent between 0% and 9.99%
Enter a percent between 0% and 9.99%
Default rates use United States averages from Clever's commission survey and can be edited.
Total realtor fees
- Typical agent fees
- $20,131
- (5.46% of $368,697)
- Clever fees as low as 1.5%
- $15,485
- (4.20% of $368,697)
| Typical agent fees | Clever fees as low as 1.5% | |
|---|---|---|
| Listing agent commission | $10,176 | $5,530 |
| Buyer's agent commission | $9,955 | $9,955 |
| Total realtor fees | $20,131 | $15,485 |
Clever listing commission can be as low as 1.5% compared to the average 2.76% listing commission.
Why trust us
This article combines my experience as a real estate agent with insights from dozens of active industry professionals. I bought and sold 30-plus homes as an agent, investor, and homeowner, and I've negotiated commission from both sides of the table.
In October 2026, I interviewed three working agents for this article and the video above: Jake Kubota (Chicago suburbs), Elliott Grozan (Brevard County, FL), and Wayne Newcomb (Albany, NY). Grozan and Newcomb are Clever Partner Agents. Their quotes are lightly edited for filler words, and brackets mark words added for clarity.
Our commission rate data comes from an August 2026 survey of 434 agents nationwide, who reported typical buyer's agent and listing agent rates in their markets. Our negotiation data comes from a July 2026 survey of 500 Americans who sold a home they lived in within the past two years.
For further validation, you can explore my real estate experience and client feedback on my Zillow profile, or watch my recent appearance on Yahoo! Finance, where I shared insights into the changing real estate market.
The tips in this guide are backed by reputable data sources, including the National Association of Realtors, ensuring they're practical, reliable, and up-to-date. I aim to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to secure the best possible deal for your home sale. Or skip the negotiation entirely. Match with a full-service agent who has already agreed to a low rate (for example, as low as 1.5% with Clever).
FAQ about negotiating realtor fees
Most agents charge 2.5% or 3% of the sale price on the listing side. According to our August 2026 survey of 434 agents across the U.S., the total commission averages 5.46%. The rate isn't set by law and varies by location, market conditions, and agent.
Yes. Some agents will reduce their commission to win your listing or close a deal, especially if the home is high value or expected to sell quickly. Others offer discounts in slow markets, or when they represent both the buyer and seller in the same transaction (dual agency).
Start by respectfully asking whether the agent is open to negotiating. Point to factors like your home's strong marketability, high price point, or local market conditions, and mention you're comparing agents. For example: “I've talked to two other agents who quoted 2.5%. Are you able to match that?”
Not necessarily. Many agents offer full service at discounted rates, especially through low-commission brokerages like Clever Real Estate or Ideal Agent, both of which vet their agents for quality. Clever offers a reduced 1.5% listing fee; Ideal Agent offers 2%.
Often, yes. Many agents will list at 2%, particularly for high-value homes, fast-selling properties, or repeat clients — and pre-negotiated services like Clever secure low full-service rates as a matter of course. A traditional agent negotiating one-on-one is less predictable, so it helps to compare two to three agents and come prepared with local rate data.
Related reading
