Is 6% Real Estate Commission is Still a Thing?

Traditionally, selling a home meant paying a 6% real estate commission — split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. On a $500,000 sale, that’s $30,000 in fees.

Many expected commissions to fall after the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement took effect in August 2024. But in reality, rates have edged up. Data from Clever Real Estate shows the average commission now sits at 5.57% nationwide, up from 5.32% just a year ago.

Actual rates vary widely depending on where you live, your home’s price, and local market conditions. In most cases, sellers still cover both their listing agent’s fee and the buyer’s agent commission — especially in today’s cooler housing market, where sellers have less leverage.

If you want to save, you can negotiate commission with your agent. But negotiating on your own can be tough. That’s why many sellers use Clever, which has already pre-negotiated lower rates with top agents from major brokerages. You’ll pay just a 1.5% listing fee — while still getting full service from a trusted local agent. Fill out this short quiz to be matched with a top-rated local agent who offers full service for just 1.5% — no negotiating required.

What is a 6% real estate commission?

Here’s how different commission rates affect a $500,000 sale.

In the traditional 6% real estate commission model, the seller pays 6% of the home sale price to cover the agents’ fees. This 6% is typically split between the agents; the actual split is determined by the brokerages and may not be exactly even.

For example, a 6% commission for a $500,000 home would be $30,000, with each agent receiving $15,000 (assuming they both earn 3%).

While many sellers assume the 6% model is outdated, the reality is that it still dominates. In fact, Clever’s latest research shows the average commission has increased to 5.57% nationwide, up from 5.32% in 2024.

It's worth trying to pay a lower rate on your home sale. Even a small reduction can lead to significant savings vs. the traditional 6% rate.

Those savings go straight back into your pocket at closing — especially important when you're also paying for moving costs, repairs, or your next home purchase.

How to pay less than 6% right now

Sellers have several options to pay less than 6% total commission.

Work with a low commission agent

Working with an experienced, low-commission realtor can be the easiest and most reliable way to save on fees while still getting high-quality service. The best low-commission realtors and discount brokerages offer discounted listing fees while still providing full services and one-on-one support from a top local agent.

You can find a quality low-commission agent through free matching services, like Clever Real Estate and Ideal Agent. These services provide multiple local agent options, so you can interview and select the agent who best suits you.

Additionally, the companies will have pre-negotiated a lower commission rate for you. For instance, Clever has pre-negotiated a low 1.5% listing fee with agents, while Ideal Agent has pre-negotiated a 2% rate.

This means that on a home sale of $400,000, you’d only pay the listing agent $6,000 with Clever’s 1.5% pre-negotiated rate versus paying $12,000 to a listing agent charging 3% (half of the 6% commission rate).

Negotiate realtor fees

You can always try to negotiate a lower realtor commission directly with agents instead of using a matching service. But this is really hard to do. Success rates are generally pretty low—according to industry statistics, only 22% of home sellers discuss commissions and successfully negotiate a lower rate with their agents.[1]

When negotiating realtor commission, you can improve your odds by emphasizing your home’s strengths. Agents may be more flexible if your property is move-in ready, located in a desirable area, or likely to sell quickly. Shopping around can also uncover agents willing to work for less.

Why it's so hard

Most sellers struggle to negotiate lower rates — not because it's impossible, but because the process is uncomfortable and often unclear.

Also, many homeowners don’t know what a fair rate looks like, and they worry that pushing for a discount could lead to reduced effort or lower-quality service. Great marketing, follow-up, and negotiation don’t come cheap.

Market conditions also matter. As Parker explains: “In a fast-moving seller’s market, I’m more open to adjusting commission, especially for repeat clients or clean, market-ready listings. But in slower markets, where listings require more time, effort, and creative marketing, we typically hold firm on our rates.”

Because of these challenges, more sellers are turning to low-commission realtors, who remove the awkward negotiations by offering pre-negotiated listing fees with top-rated local agents (without sacrificing service quality).

Sell without a realtor

Selling your home yourself or "for-sale-by-owner" (FSBO), can help avoid paying a listing agent’s commission (although you'll still likely need to pay the buyer's agent).

While saving on commission fees is one reason people sell FSBO, this approach also gives you complete control over the whole real estate transaction process. For experienced sellers, this can be a bonus.

However, less experienced sellers may find selling FSBO more time-consuming than anticipated. Additionally, many FSBO sellers underestimate how much they have to juggle and how difficult the legal paperwork and contract negotiations can be. That's likely why just 6% of all sellers go the FSBO route.
[1]

FSBO sellers also take on liability risks if contracts, disclosures, or timelines aren’t handled correctly.

Finally, industry statistics show that homes sold by owners typically fetch significantly less than those sold with an agent—$310,000 compared to $405,000 for agent-assisted sales. For many sellers, this means they miss out on higher proceeds, even after accounting for agent fees.

How 6% commission rates actually work

The total commission is set in the listing agreement before the home is marketed. For example, a seller might agree to pay 6% of the sale price in total commission. At closing, the total commission is deducted from the seller’s proceeds and distributed to the brokerages involved.

However, under the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement, which took effect on August 17, 2024, sellers are no longer required to offer compensation to the buyer’s agent in MLS listings. Instead, buyers are generally expected to negotiate and pay their own agent’s fee.

That said, commissions are still negotiable. Buyers can request that the seller cover part or all of their agent’s commission as part of the purchase agreement, much like a seller credit toward closing costs. Whether the seller agrees depends on the deal’s specifics and local market conditions.

In practice, many sellers still cover the buyer’s agent fee to stay competitive. As broker Shane Parker notes: “Homes that don’t offer buyer agent compensation may sit longer or attract lower offers, particularly in markets where compensation is still commonly seller-paid.”

Why do realtors get paid 6%?

Sellers have always been able to negotiate commission rates. But a 6% commission rate became standard to ensure both the seller’s agent and buyer’s agent were compensated, since the commission is split.

A 6% commission can benefit sellers by ensuring they get the best deal for their home. For instance, paying 6% can help sellers secure the services of an experienced local agent who:

• Understands the local market conditions
• Assists with preparing the home for sale so it can get top dollar
• Provides high-quality marketing strategies to generate interest in the property, possibly helping you sell fast and for more money
• May provide more extensive services, like home staging or 3D photography, as part of the service instead of something you have to add on

But while 6% has been the industry standard, many sellers now pay less. The average commissions have recently hovered around 5.5%. Because the NAR settlement has encouraged more competition, experts say the average commission rate may drop further.

Pros and cons of 6% realtors

Working with a traditional full-service agent offers hands-on support, strong marketing, and expert negotiation, which can lead to a smoother sale and better price. However, this comes at a higher cost and may include services that aren’t necessary for every seller.

Also consider that you may be able to get the same full-service experience for less by working with a low commission agent.

6% commission realtors: The bottom line

You don’t have to pay a 6% commission anymore. While 6% is still common, data shows average commissions are closer to 5.57% — and many sellers are finding full-service agents for just 1.5–2% through matching services like Clever Real Estate. That can mean thousands in savings, without sacrificing marketing, negotiation, or support.

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