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Real estate commission calculator
See what you'll actually pay in agent commissions as a buyer, seller, or both. Compare referral platforms. No signup required.
Average rates in North Carolina: 2.8% listing + 2.73% buyer = 5.53% 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.
Your agent keeps $2,833 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.
How real estate commissions work in 2026
Real estate commissions are the fees paid to agents for helping buy or sell a home. They're typically calculated as a percentage of the home's sale price and are paid at closing, meaning no money changes hands until the deal is done.
The total commission is usually split between two agents: the listing agent (who represents the seller) and the buyer's agent (who represents the buyer). Each typically earns 2.5-3% of the sale price, though this varies by market.
What changed with the NAR settlement
In August 2024, the National Association of Realtors settlement fundamentally changed how commissions work. Three key changes went into effect:
- No more MLS commission offers. Sellers' agents can no longer advertise buyer agent compensation on the MLS. Commission must be negotiated off-platform.
- Written buyer agreements required. Buyers must sign a representation agreement with their agent before touring homes, clearly stating the agent's compensation.
- Commission is explicitly negotiable. While it always was in theory, the settlement made this much clearer to consumers.
The practical impact? Buyer agent commission rates have dropped roughly 0.2 percentage points on average. On a $415,000 home, that's about $830 in savings. Not earth-shattering, but it's a start, and rates continue to compress.
Who actually pays the commission?
This is the question everyone asks, and the answer just got more complicated.
Before the NAR settlement: The seller paid both commissions. The listing agent's commission and the buyer's agent commission were both deducted from the sale proceeds. Buyers technically paid nothing directly, though economists would argue the commission was baked into the home price.
After the NAR settlement: Sellers still pay their listing agent. But buyer agent compensation is now negotiated separately. Many sellers still offer to cover it (to attract more buyers), but it's no longer guaranteed. In some transactions, buyers now pay their agent directly, either a percentage or a flat fee agreed upon in the buyer representation agreement.
Average commission rates by state
Commission rates vary by state and metro area. Here are the states we currently track.
| State | Listing rate | Buyer rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2.82% | 2.73% | 5.55% |
| Arizona | 2.76% | 2.72% | 5.48% |
| Colorado | 2.72% | 2.56% | 5.28% |
| Florida | 2.81% | 2.78% | 5.57% |
| Georgia | 2.76% | 2.91% | 5.66% |
| Idaho | 2.78% | 2.61% | 5.39% |
| North Carolina | 2.8% | 2.73% | 5.53% |
| South Carolina | 2.83% | 2.82% | 5.65% |
| Tennessee | 2.7% | 2.62% | 5.32% |
| Texas | 2.88% | 2.97% | 5.85% |
| Virginia | 2.65% | 2.54% | 5.19% |
Rates are averages based on 2025-2026 transaction data. Your actual rate will depend on the agent, home price, and negotiation.
How to negotiate a lower commission
Commission rates are always negotiable. Here are the most effective strategies:
- Ask. Sounds obvious, but most people don't. Simply asking "is your rate negotiable?" opens the conversation. Most agents will come down 0.25-0.5% rather than lose a client.
- Leverage your home price. On expensive homes ($500K+), agents earn more per deal, so they're often willing to reduce the percentage. A 2% commission on a $700K home is $14,000, still very attractive.
- Consider flat-fee or discount agents. Some agents charge a flat fee ($3,000-$5,000) instead of a percentage. This can save thousands on higher-priced homes. Agentsorted can match you with agents who offer competitive pricing structures.
- Bundle buy + sell. If you're both buying and selling, you have leverage. Many agents will reduce their rate if they get both sides of the transaction.
- Time it right. In slower markets or during off-peak months (winter), agents are more willing to negotiate. In hot seller's markets, you have less leverage.
What referral platforms actually charge
When you use an agent matching platform like HomeLight, Zillow, or Clever Real Estate, the agent you're matched with pays a referral fee to that platform. This fee comes out of the agent's commission, not your pocket directly, but it affects the quality of service you receive.
Here's why: an agent who gives up 35-40% of their commission to a platform has to work more deals to earn the same income. That can mean less time for your transaction, less willingness to negotiate on your behalf, and more pressure to close quickly.
| Platform | Referral fee | On $10K commission |
|---|---|---|
| Zillow Flex | 35-40% | -$3,500 to -$4,000 |
| HomeLight | 33% | -$3,300 |
| Clever Real Estate | 25-40% | -$2,500 to -$4,000 |
| RealEstateAgents.com | 25-35% | -$2,500 to -$3,500 |
| Agentsorted | 25% | -$2,500 |
Why we disclose this: No other matching platform tells you what they charge agents. We think you deserve to know how the economics work, because it directly affects the service you receive.
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