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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 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 |
List with the best local agents for just 1.5% (seriously)
Clever Real Estate matches you with vetted local agents who work for just a 1.5% listing fee when you find them through Clever’s free service.
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.
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.
Ways to negotiate lower realtor fees
- Aggressive pricing. Setting your list price at or just below market value will quickly attract a lot of interest — and agents love a quick sale.
- Leverage your local market. If you’re in a hot seller’s market, where sellers outnumber buyers, you have a lot of leverage. Agents know that if they refuse to negotiate with you, you can easily find another agent who will.
- Comparison shop. Ask many local agents about their commission rate, and let them know you’re comparison shopping for an upcoming sale. Most agents will gladly cut you a deal to avoid losing you to the competition.
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
Who pays real estate commission in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the seller usually pays the commission of both the listing agent and the buyer's agent. The agents don't get paid until the house sells—these fees are typically paid out of the home sale proceeds at closing. Learn more about how real estate commission works in Arkansas.
Can you negotiate realtor fees in Arkansas?
Yes, you can always tell your realtor you want to negotiate fees. But keep in mind your agent will spend a lot of money up front when marketing the home. If your home takes a lot of work to sell, your realtor might be hesitant to reduce their fees by too much. Learn more about how real estate commission works in Arkansas.
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
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