Published
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Edited by Kristy Snyder
Written by Jon Stubbs
Edited by Kristy Snyder
Why trust us: Our data is based on a survey of 650 real estate agents and brokers across the U.S. Learn how we researched.
In this guide: How much you’ll pay | Average Arizona realtor fees | How Arizona agents set rates | How to save on commission in Arizona | FAQ | Our research
The average total real estate commission in Arizona is 5.43%. This includes a 2.80% listing agent commission and a 2.63% buyer’s agent commission. In Arizona, sellers typically cover the real estate commission fees for both agents out of their sale proceeds at closing.
Arizona sellers pay an average of $22,211 in realtor fees, based on the average Arizona home price of $409,038.
Realtor commission rates vary considerably by region, city, or even neighborhood. The agent and brokerage you choose, as well as the specifics of your sale — like your home’s value, location, and condition — are also factors.
This guide breaks down how much commission sellers can expect to pay in Arizona. We’ll also explain why Arizona commissions are what they are (and offer up some tips that could help you save).
Arizona real estate commission: How much will you pay?
Here’s what you can expect to pay in realtor commission based on the average home price of $409,038.
| Average rate | Cost | |
| Listing agent commission | 2.80% | $11,453 |
| Buyer’s agent commission | 2.63% | $10,758 |
| Total realtor fees | 5.43% | $22,211 |
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How much are realtor fees in Arizona?
Sellers typically pay 5.43% in total realtor fees in Arizona, compared to the national average of 5.37%.
However, the rate Arizona sellers pay can vary from region to region. You might pay slightly more or less to sell a home in the suburbs of Phoenix than you would to sell a vacation home in the White Mountains.
The commission you’ll pay depends on the Arizona real estate agent you choose, how difficult it will be to sell your home, and how open your realtor is to negotiation. Some agents are willing to reduce their commission for fewer services, like a minimal marketing campaign.
Arizona real estate commission is also dependent on the state of the housing market. Currently, the market is cooling off in Arizona. Median home prices have dropped 3.6% over the past year, and the number of homes sold has gone down by 40%.
Compared to a year ago, realtors in Arizona are selling fewer homes for less money, all while investing twice as much time. A lean market like this could mean they’re less likely to reduce their commission.
Remember: Realtor fees aren’t the only costs of selling a home. You also need to factor in the cost of repairs, your mortgage payoff amount, and closing costs.
Learn what expenses to budget for and estimate how much it’ll cost to sell your house in Arizona.
How real Arizona agents and brokers set commission rates
Most agents are willing to negotiate their rates a little bit. Typically, realtors will set commission rates based on what competing agents in the area are charging as well as the amount of work involved in selling the home.
The average total commission usually adds up to 5–6%, but this amount is split four ways. The listing agent and the buyer’s agent take their commission, then each of them split that amount with their broker. So while 6% might seem like a lot of money, each party only takes home about 1.5%.
Agent take-home pay is reduced further by various overhead costs they need to pay out of pocket. In Arizona, these expenses include:
- Taxes: Most real estate brokers and agents are considered self-employed and must pay taxes on their transaction earnings each year
- Association dues: $150–300 annually
- Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fees: $450 annually
- State license fees: $125–245 every two years
- Administrative staff: Assistants can help with bookkeeping, scheduling, and other day-to-day operations
- Marketing costs: Professional photos, advertising, open houses, and staging
Your agent will consider all of these factors before setting their final commission rates.
How can I pay less on realtor fees in Arizona?
While it may take some outside-the-box thinking, there are a few ways you can save on realtor fees:
- Negotiate with a traditional real estate agent or broker
- Work with a discount real estate broker
- Sell without a realtor
Negotiate with a traditional realtor
Real estate agents are used to negotiating their fees. Whether yours will be willing to reduce theirs or not depends on how easy your home will be to sell.
Before negotiating, find evidence that your home will be easy to sell. For example, if your home is in a popular neighborhood where houses are selling quickly, you can argue that your home — if it’s in good condition — will also sell quickly.
One way to see how quickly homes like yours are selling is to look at a comparative market analysis (CMA), which your agent will provide. Or, you can create your own CMA using online resources.
Ways to negotiate lower realtor fees
- Offer to do some of the work yourself. If you’re willing to take on some tasks, such as taking photos of your home and staging it for showings, you’re reducing the amount of time and effort your agent will need to put in.
- Buy and sell with the same realtor. If you’re both buying and selling a property, you might be able to save some money by working with the same realtor. Since they’ll be earning two commissions, they may be willing to reduce the listing fee to secure both transactions.
- Ask about reducing commission for fewer services. For example, if you don’t need a virtual tour or social media promotion, you could ask your agent if they’d be willing to reduce their fee.
Negotiating can be awkward and uncomfortable. If you’d rather avoid it, you can find an agent through Clever Real Estate. They’ve already pre-negotiated a 1.5% listing fee with experienced agents in Arizona, so you don’t have to. Find an Arizona agent for less.
Work with a discount real estate broker
Some brokerages offer discounted realtor fees up front. These companies can help you save money, but some come with risks or worse-than-average customer service. Do your research to understand what you’ll get for the discounted fee. See how we ranked discount real estate brokers in your area based on savings, customer reviews, and our experience mystery shopping with each company.
To save an average of $7,000 on your listing fee without sacrificing service, Clever Real Estate is your best option.
Sell without a realtor
The ultimate way to save on realtor fees is to sell without a realtor — though we don’t recommend this to most Arizona sellers.
You’ll avoid paying a listing commission, but you’ll have to do all of the work of a listing agent on your own. Plus, you’ll still want to pay a full buyer’s agent commission to incentivize other agents to show your home to their buyers.
Learn more about how to sell a house without a realtor in Arizona.
Other FAQs about Arizona real estate commissions
Who pays real estate commission in Arizona?
In Arizona, the seller typically pays the commission for both the listing agent and the buyer's agent. These costs are paid out of the home sale proceeds at closing. Learn more about how real estate commission works in Arizona.
Can you negotiate realtor fees in Arizona?
Yes, you can always ask your agent to lower their fees. But remember that your agent is paying upfront expenses for marketing and promoting your home. If your property requires a lot of effort and resources to sell, your realtor may be reluctant to reduce their fees. Learn more about how to negotiate realtor fees.
Research methodology
We regularly survey our pool of 14,000 partner agents nationwide on the commission rates they use for buying and selling. These data points are averages based on responses we’ve received from 26 agents across Arizona.
Sources
- Redfin – Arizona Housing Market
- Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data
- State of Arizona Department of Real Estate
- Internal Revenue Service
- ARMLS
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