Average Realtor Fees in Arkansas | Updated for 2023

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  Written by Jon Stubbs

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  Edited by Kristy Snyder

In this guide: How much you’ll pay | Average Arkansas realtor fees | How Arkansas agents set rates | How to save on commission in Arkansas | FAQ | Our research

The average total real estate commission in Arkansas is 5.44%. This includes a 2.72% listing agent commission and a 2.72% buyer’s agent commission. In Arkansas, sellers typically cover the real estate commission fees for both agents out of their sale proceeds at closing. 

On the average Arkansas home price of $178,744, you’d pay $9,724 in real estate commission fees as a seller.

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 Arkansas. We’ll also explain why Arkansas commissions are what they are (and offer up some tips that could help you save). 

Arkansas 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 $178,744.

	Average rate	Cost
Listing agent commission	2.72%	$4,862
Buyer’s agent commission	2.72%	$4,862
Total realtor fees	5.44%	$9,724

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Clever has 62 vetted agents across Arkansas from major brands like RE/MAX and Coldwell Banker. You compare options, choose the best fit, and get the same service and support for up to half the usual rate! 

Clever is free to use and there’s no obligation to work with any of the agents you’re matched with.

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How much are realtor fees in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, the average total realtor fees are 5.44%. This is typically paid by the seller, out of the proceeds from their home sale.

Average realtor fees in Arkansas are slightly higher than the national average of 5.37%. However, those fees vary widely from city to city. The best way to get an idea of average commissions in your local market is to talk to realtors in your area. 

Commission can change frequently in response to market conditions. Average commission in Arkansas is trending downwards — in 2021, the average statewide commission was 5.90%.

One big factor in the downward trend in statewide commissions is likely the hot Arkansas market, which saw a 6.6% increase in home values since last year. Agents are more open to giving out commission discounts in a fast market, because they know they can easily make that money back in sheer volume.

How real Arkansas agents and brokers set commission rates

Agents we talked to said their commission rates are almost always up for negotiation.

When it comes down to it, agents set their commission rate based on local averages and on how much time and effort they think it’ll take to sell your home. 

For example, if you have a highly desirable home in a hot market, agents may be more open to a lower commission, since you’ll likely receive offers immediately. If you have a more unique property that might take a while to find a buyer, they’ll have to put in more hours and will be less likely to offer a discount.

And your listing agent might make less than you think. Real estate commission in Arkansas is split between:

• The listing agent
• The listing agent’s broker
• The buyer’s agent
• The buyer’s agent’s broker

So your listing agent isn’t making the full commission — they’re likely only pocketing a quarter of it — around 1.36%.

On top of that, agents have a lot of upfront and overhead costs. They have to pay for services like marketing and home staging before a home goes up for sale, and they have business costs that are fixed, regardless of how many sales they’ve closed recently.

• Taxes: Realtors are considered self-employed by the IRS, and must pay significant taxes on their commissions.
• Association dues: $150 annually 
• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fees: $25–200 per month
• State license fees: $80-110 annually
• Administrative and support staff: Office managers, transaction coordinators, assistants, schedulers, accountants, social media and marketing specialists, etc.
• Marketing: Digital advertising, professional home staging, real estate photography, signage fees, fliers, open houses, etc.

How can I save on realtor fees in Arkansas?

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

Since most agents are open to negotiating their commission rate, how do you, the seller, negotiate a lower commission? Let’s touch on a few tried and true strategies.

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 Arkansas, so you don’t have to. Find a Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

Other FAQs about Arkansas real estate commissions

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 eight agents across Arkansas. 

Sources

• Zillow Home Value Data
• Intuit TurboTax
• Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data