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Real Estate Commission Calculator

Model both sides of a real estate commission. Start from sale price, split the pool between listing and buyer side, then walk the listing side through referral fees, the brokerage split, desk fees, and the transaction coordinator all the way down to agent net take-home.

Transaction

$
%
%
$

For hybrid or low-commission listings that layer a flat fee on top of a reduced percent.

Agent split and fees

%
$

Per-deal desk, E&O, or royalty fees charged by the brokerage.

$
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Percent of your side paid to a referring agent before the split.

Seller pays total commission

$28,875

5.50% of sale price

Listing side

$15,750

before splits and fees

Buyer side

$13,125

Listing agent net take-home

$10,335

after split, referral, and fees

Commission flow

Commission is inside typical market ranges. The bigger determinant of agent take-home is the commission split, desk and transaction fees, and any referral fee owed.

Listing side commission (pre-referral)$15,750
Referral out-$0
After referral$15,750
Brokerage split-$4,725
Agent share before fees$11,025
Brokerage / desk fees-$295
Transaction coordinator-$395
Listing agent net$10,335

Buyer-side pay works the same way — swap the listing side amount for the buyer side amount and keep the split, referral, and fees the same to see the buyer agent take-home. Post-2024 NAR settlement changes mean the buyer side may be paid directly by the buyer rather than via the listing.

How to Use

  1. Enter the expected sale price and the percent commission on both the listing side and buyer side. Add a flat fee if the listing uses a hybrid model.
  2. Set the listing agent's commission split with their brokerage — 50/50, 70/30, and 80/20 are all common at different points in a career.
  3. If the agent is past their annual brokerage cap, check the box so the split flips to 100% and only per-deal fees apply.
  4. Add any desk, E&O, or transaction coordinator fees the brokerage charges per closing.
  5. Enter a referral percent if another agent referred the client — referrals come off the top before the brokerage split.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays real estate commission?

Historically in the US, the seller paid total commission at closing and the listing broker cooperated a portion to the buyer's broker. After the 2024 NAR settlement, buyer-side commissions are no longer published in most MLSs and may be negotiated directly between the buyer and buyer's agent. The seller may still credit toward buyer-side commission depending on the contract.

What is a typical commission rate?

In the US, total commissions on single-family homes typically fall between 5% and 6%, split roughly evenly between the two sides. Discount brokerages, flat-fee MLS listings, and luxury tiers can fall outside this range.

What is a brokerage split?

Agents are independent contractors working under a broker. The brokerage split is the percent of each commission that flows back to the brokerage before the agent keeps their share. Common arrangements: 50/50 for new agents, 70/30 or 80/20 for experienced producers, and 100% with monthly fees at cap-and-flat models.

What is a referral fee?

When one agent refers a client to another agent (often across state lines or for specialized transactions), the receiving agent pays a referral fee, most commonly 25% of the side commission. Referrals come off the top before the brokerage split.

Is commission negotiable?

Yes. Commission is fully negotiable in the US — there is no required rate. Sellers can negotiate the listing side percent, whether a flat fee applies, and any cooperating compensation to the buyer side. Buyers can negotiate the buyer-side rate directly with their agent under a buyer broker agreement.

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