Commission guide

Florida real estate commission rates

The average real estate commission in Florida is 5.57%, about $22,280 on a $400,000 home. Here's exactly how that breaks down, what changed after the NAR settlement, and how to pay less.

Total rate

5.57%

Listing agent

2.81%

Buyer agent

2.78%

Median price

$400,000

What you'll actually pay in Florida

On a $400,000 home (the Florida median), the total commission breaks down like this:

FeeRateAmount
Listing agent commission2.81%$11,240
Buyer agent commission2.78%$11,120
Total commission5.57%$22,280

The listing agent's commission (2.81%) is paid by the seller from the sale proceeds. The buyer's agent commission (2.78%) was traditionally also paid by the seller, but since the NAR settlement in August 2024, this is negotiated separately.

In practice, most Florida sellers still offer to cover the buyer's agent commission to attract more offers, but the amount is no longer set by the MLS. Buyers should be prepared to negotiate this cost directly with their agent.

How the NAR settlement changed Florida

The NAR settlement took effect in August 2024, and the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) aligned state regulations with the new requirements, including mandatory buyer representation agreements specifying compensation before property showings. Florida's average total commission dropped from approximately 5.76% pre-settlement to 5.57%, a 0.19 percentage point decline driven primarily by buyer agent rate compression. Miami and Tampa, with their higher price points and heavier inventory, have seen more compression than smaller markets. Florida is a title-company closing state (no attorney required), which means the real estate agent's role in transaction coordination is more prominent. About 37% of sellers nationally now negotiate commission post-settlement, and Florida's competitive metro markets, particularly Miami (6.4 months inventory) and Tampa (5.2 months), are tracking at or above that rate.

Before NAR settlement

5.76%

Total commission ($23,040 on $400,000)

Buyer agent rate: 2.92%

After NAR settlement

5.57%

Total commission ($22,280 on $400,000)

Savings: $760 per transaction

The NAR settlement, effective August 2024, ended the practice of listing buyer agent compensation on the MLS. In Florida, this means:

  • Buyer representation agreements are required. Before touring any home in Florida, buyers must sign a written agreement with their agent that clearly states what the agent will be paid.
  • Commission is more negotiable. With rates no longer set on the MLS, agents are more open to discussing their fees. Average buyer agent rates in Florida have dropped from 2.92% to 2.78%.
  • Sellers can still offer buyer agent compensation. Most Florida sellers continue to offer it, but the amount and terms are negotiated directly between the parties rather than advertised publicly.

Commission rates by city in Florida

Commission rates vary across Florida metros. Higher-priced markets tend to have slightly lower percentage rates because agents earn more per transaction.

CityTotalOn median
Tampa5.59%$21,522
Jacksonville5.56%$18,904
Orlando5.59%$21,242
Miami5.63%$32,654
Sarasota5.60%$27,160
Fort Lauderdale5.63%$25,335

Rates are averages based on 2024–2025 transaction data. Actual rates depend on agent, home price, and negotiation. Median home prices sourced from Zillow Home Value Index.

How to negotiate commission in Florida

Commission rates in Florida are always negotiable. They have never been fixed by law or regulation. Since the NAR settlement, more buyers and sellers are negotiating, and agents are increasingly open to competitive pricing. Here are strategies specific to Florida:

1. Use Florida public deed records for leverage

Florida records sale prices in public deed records, available through county property appraiser websites. Before meeting with an agent, look up recent sales in your area, every Florida county offers online property records with sale prices, dates, and tax assessments. This gives you concrete comp data when discussing commission.

2. Negotiate before signing the buyer representation agreement

FREC requires a signed buyer representation agreement specifying compensation before your agent shows you any property. Before you sign, ask: "Is this rate negotiable?" and "What happens if the seller offers less than this amount?" This is your best leverage point as a Florida buyer.

3. Factor insurance savings into total cost

Florida's property insurance crisis means your total ownership cost includes significant insurance premiums ($5,000-$15,000+ annually). Some agents can connect you with insurance specialists who save thousands annually. When negotiating commission, consider the total transaction cost, a lower commission plus insurance guidance can save far more than commission reduction alone.

4. Know who pays title insurance in your county, and negotiate accordingly

Florida is a title-company closing state, and who pays for title insurance varies by county, a quirk most buyers and sellers don't know about. In 44 of 67 Florida counties (including Hillsborough, Orange, and Duval), the seller customarily pays for the owner's title policy. In Miami-Dade, Broward, Sarasota, and Collier counties, the buyer typically pays. Title insurance runs 0.5–1% of the sale price, $2,000–$4,000 on a $400,000 home. If you're in a seller-pay county, factor this into your total cost when negotiating commission: "Between doc stamps ($2,800), title insurance ($2,400), and a 5.57% commission, I'm paying over $27,000 in transaction costs."

5. Compare flat-fee listing options in your FL metro

Florida's competitive real estate market supports dozens of flat-fee and discount brokerages. Flat Fee Florida Realty charges $4,895 for full-service listing, professional photography, pricing analysis, showing coordination, negotiations, and closing support, with no payment until your home sells. List Now Realty and Flat Fee MLS Realty offer MLS-only listings starting at $99–$249. On a $400,000 home at the state median, a $4,895 flat fee versus a traditional 2.81% listing agent saves roughly $6,345 in listing-side commission. Even traditional agents will negotiate when you have a flat-fee quote in hand.

Calculate your Florida commission

Enter your home price to see exactly what you'd pay in agent commissions at Florida average rates. Compare buyer vs seller costs and see how referral platform fees affect your agent.

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Average rates in Florida: 2.81% listing + 2.78% buyer = 5.57% total

What you'll pay as a buyer

Since the NAR settlement (August 2024), buyers may need to pay their agent directly. Here's what that looks like at $415,000.

Buyer agent commission
$11,537
2.78% of home price
At a lower 2% rate
$8,300
Save $3,237
At a 1.5% rate
$6,225
Save $5,312

Your agent keeps $2,884 more of their commission

With our 25% referral fee vs. the industry's 33-40%, your agent keeps more, which means more resources for your deal, not the platform.

Need the full tool? Try our commission calculator with all states and comparison mode.

Florida commission FAQ

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