If you are in the market to sell your home, a good real estate agent is an invaluable asset. Agents help their clients navigate the market and find potential buyers, and in return for their time and expertise, they charge commission fees.
According to a nationwide agent survey by Clever Real Estate, the national average is 5.45% of a home's final sale price. However, the actual answer to that question really depends on which state you’re in.
It is the seller’s responsibility to pay real estate commission fees. That means sellers pay for both their own agent for listing the property as well as the buyer's agent.
Real estate agents charge a commission for their time, services, and expertise. A good real estate agent will make the home-selling process much smoother and should have a large network of potential buyers to show your property.
Yes, you can negotiate commission fees, and you should! In the current seller’s market, agents know that clients can easily look elsewhere if they think their rates are too high.
To avoid paying commission fees, homeowners can choose to forgo an agent altogether and use a local multiple listing service (MLS), which typically charges a flat fee between $99-$500.