🤝 Real Estate Commission Calculator
Enter the sale price and commission rate to calculate the total commission, with an optional split between buyer's and seller's agents.
A percentage of the sale price, then a split
Commission is charged on the price the house actually sells for, not the list price, and the split box decides how much of it crosses to the buyer's side:
total = sale price × (rate % / 100)
buyer's side = total × (split % / 100)
seller's side = total - buyer's sideAt the defaults, 6% of a $350,000 sale is $21,000, and a 50% split sends $10,500 to each side. Move the split to 40% and the buyer's agent gets $8,400 while the listing side keeps $12,600.
Nobody pockets those figures
- The brokerage takes a cut first. On a 70/30 agent split the $10,500 becomes $7,350 before a franchise fee, self-employment tax, marketing and licence costs. Newer agents often sit at 50/50.
- 6% is a habit, not a rule. Discount and flat-fee brokerages list for 1-2% on the seller side, and rates soften on expensive homes.
- The two sides are negotiated separately now. Since the NAR settlement took effect in August 2024, buyer-agent pay is off the MLS and buyers sign a written fee agreement up front. A seller may still cover it, but that is a term of the deal.
Frequently asked questions
How much is 6% commission on a $350,000 house?
$21,000. Split evenly that is $10,500 to each brokerage, and an agent on a 70/30 house split takes home about $7,350 of it before tax and expenses.
Who pays the real estate agent commission?
It comes out of the seller's proceeds at closing in most deals. Since 2024 the buyer's agent fee is agreed directly with the buyer, so the seller covering it is a negotiated concession rather than an automatic arrangement.
Can I negotiate a lower commission rate?
Yes - there is no set rate and no legal minimum. Hot markets, repeat clients and higher-priced listings routinely land at 4-5%, and flat-fee services charge a few thousand dollars whatever the price.