What’s a fair realtor fee in Connecticut? | How much does commission cost? | Who pays realtor fees? | Tips to save on Connecticut realtor fees | FAQs
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Realtor fees in Connecticut cost an average of 5.12%, which equates to a total commission fee of $18,465 for a typical home in the state. This includes the fees for both the seller’s agent and buyer’s agent, with each realtor earning around half the total commission amount.
Understanding the average realtor fees in Connecticut is useful if you’re thinking about selling your house. You’ll have a better idea of what to expect when looking for a realtor, and you can avoid overpaying in commission fees.
But if you’re like many Connecticut home sellers, you might think 5.12% is too much to pay a realtor. Luckily, there are lots of ways to save on realtor fees in Connecticut.
The best option for most people is to find a realtor through a free service like Clever Real Estate. Clever negotiates 1.5% listing fees with top local realtors at trusted brands like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. You’ll get guaranteed full service, but pay a fraction of what real estate agents typically charge.
💰 SAVE: Find a top local agent and get a 1.5% listing fee!
What is a fair realtor commission in Connecticut?
A fair realtor commission in Connecticut is whatever rate a typical seller with a home like yours would expect to pay in your local market. But what’s most important is that you and your agent agree on a rate you’re both comfortable with.
Most Connecticut realtors expect a total commission rate of around the statewide average of 5.12%. But you may be able to persuade your agent that a lower fee is fair if:
- Your home value is higher than the area average
- You’re in a hot market where bidding wars are common
- Your home is in great condition
- Properties like yours are selling quickly
- You’re also buying a house with the same agent
If you’re looking to save on realtor fees, it’s also possible to find Connecticut real estate agents with low commission rates. The top discount brands offer reduced listing fees (as low as 1.5% in Connecticut!), but still provide all the expertise and hands-on service you’d expect from an experienced local agent.
How much do realtor fees in Connecticut cost?
| Average realtor fee | |
|---|---|
| Listing fee | 2.66% |
| Buyer's agent fee | 2.46% |
| Total Connecticut realtor fees | 5.12% |
The average Connecticut realtor commission rate is 5.12%, with 2.66% going to the listing agent and the remaining 2.46% going to the buyer’s agent.
Connecticut realtor fees usually don’t vary too much from agent to agent — the majority of agents charge rates close to the area average. Our data found that most Connecticut sellers end up paying between 4.19%–6.05% in total real estate commission fees.
The table below shows an example of how realtor commission costs would affect a seller’s net profit on an average home in Connecticut:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $360,650 |
| Realtor fees | $18,465 |
| Seller closing costs | $9,618 |
| Mortgage payoff | $44,660 |
| Seller net | $288,546 |
Realtor fees are typically the seller’s responsibility in Connecticut. The fees come out of the sale proceeds at closing, just like some other closing costs. You won’t have to pay upfront or before your house sells. But you’ll need to account for realtor fees when setting a listing price.
What factors affect realtor fees in Connecticut?
Average realtor fees in Connecticut are affected by conditions in the local housing market. Key factors include home price trends, the number of active real estate listings, and how quickly houses are selling.
Home price trends
| Median home value | Annual increase | |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $360,650 | 10.69% |
| United States | $357,810 | 14.86% |
Source: Zillow. Last updated: August 2022.
Median home prices in your local market usually have a direct effect on commission rates. Realtors often charge higher rates for lower-priced homes and lower rates for higher-priced homes.
The current median home price in Connecticut is $360,650. If you have a high-value home compared to the average, a realtor will likely make more money from your listing than from a low-priced one. Realtors may lower their rate to try to get your high-value listing — even if you’re in a cool market.
Similarly, when home prices rise, realtor fees tend to decrease since realtors can make the same or more in commission with a lower rate. But when prices fall or are stagnant, realtor fees tend to stay the same or increase.
How many homes are for sale
| Annual trend | |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | down 22.4% |
| United States | up 26.9% |
Source: Realtor.com. Last updated: September 2022.
Housing inventory — or the number of homes for sale — indicates whether market conditions are more favorable to buyers or sellers. This can give you an idea of what commission rates to expect.
When inventory rises, demand cools and sales slow down, creating a buyer’s market. Realtors are less likely to lower their fees in a buyer’s market for a couple reasons: they don’t have to compete as aggressively with one another for listings, and they’ll likely have to work harder to sell a home.
But in a seller’s market, inventory is tight and realtors compete more with one another for fewer listings. Homes also sell faster, which means less work for realtors. They’ll often lower their rates in response to these factors.
How quickly homes are selling
| Average days on market* | |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | 42 days |
| United States | 43 days |
*12-month rolling average. Source: Realtor.com. Last updated: September 2022.
How long houses take to sell is just as important as inventory and has a similar effect on realtor fees in Connecticut. When buyer demand is high, homes generally sell faster, making each listing a quicker and easier paycheck for realtors. In these conditions, you can probably find an agent willing to work for a lower rate.
But when homes take longer to sell, your agent’s job is harder. They’re less likely to offer a lower rate knowing that a house that may have taken a week to sell in a hot market could now take more than a month.
Across Connecticut, homes sell in an average of 42 days, but selling times can vary between markets. For example, the average selling timeline in Hartford is 18 days, but homes in Torrington average 39 days on the market.
The average time to sell in your market is only an indicator — not a guarantee — of how quickly your house will sell. If your home has features that make it stand out from the rest, for better or worse, then your home could sell faster or slower than the Connecticut average. Depending on how easy realtors think they can sell your house, they’ll be either more or less likely to lower their rates.
For example, if you have a home that requires a lot of repairs, some buyers might not be interested in your house, even in a hot market. Less interest could make your house difficult to sell, which means you’ll have a harder time getting a deal on your realtor commission.
How are realtor fees split in Connecticut?
Realtor fees in Connecticut are typically split down the middle between the two real estate agents involved in the transaction — often 50/50. On average, the seller’s agent earns 2.66% of the home price and the buyer’s agent earns 2.46%, for a total commission of 5.12%.
However, there’s no rule to divide realtor commission evenly between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. It’s up to you — as the seller — to decide on the total commission rate and how to divide it.
When setting a commission rate, consider that you’ll need to find a seller’s agent willing to work with your offer. You’ll also want to incentivize buyer’s agents to show your home, so offering them a rate that’s less than standard is often not in your best interest.
Also keep in mind that the commission rate you offer is not the amount an agent will actually take home. Brokerages charge agents commission, often around 50%. So when you offer your agent 3%, for example, the brokerage might receive half, leaving your agent with a take-home pay of just 1.5%.
The table below breaks down an example of a typical Connecticut realtor commission split.
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Seller's agent take home | 1.33% |
| Seller's agent's broker split | 1.33% (~50% of the seller's agent's commission ) |
| Buyer's agent take home | 1.23% |
| Buyer's agent's broker split | 1.23% (~50% of the buyer's agent's commission ) |
| Total commission | 5.12% |
Who pays realtor commission in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, sellers typically pay the realtor commission for both the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. Commission comes out of the home’s sale proceeds, so realtor fees are essentially baked into the listing price. The seller doesn’t pay commission until the home sells.
It’s better for the seller instead of the buyer to pay the buyer’s agent commission for several reasons. For one, many buyers are unable to pay for their agents out of pocket. If buyers had to pay a buyer’s agent commission, sellers would have a smaller pool of potential buyers and the home would likely take longer to sell.
Second, because sellers control how much the buyer’s agent makes in commission, they can use this power as a marketing tool. By offering a competitive buyer’s agent commission, sellers give buyer’s agents an incentive to show the listing to their clients. This creates a larger pool of potential buyers, which can help the home sell faster and for a better price.
How to save on realtor fees in Connecticut
If you’re selling a house in Connecticut and want to save on realtor fees, you have a few different options. Most sellers get the lowest rates (and best experience) by working with a full service realtor who charges lower rates, but you could also try to negotiate a lower realtor fee on your own or sell your house by owner.
Find an agent who charges lower rates
Most Connecticut home sellers who want to save on realtor fees should work with a local real estate agent who offers full service for a lower rate.
Our top pick is Clever Real Estate, a free service that matches sellers like you with top local agents — and negotiates lower realtor fees on your behalf. (See our full low commission real estate agent rankings for more local options.)
Clever is the best choice for most people because it negotiates 1.5% listing fees with experienced agents from trusted brands like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Berkshire Hathaway. You’ll get 100% full service from your agent (guaranteed), but pay a fraction of the 2.66% listing fee that most Connecticut agents charge.
Negotiate a lower realtor fee on your own
As a Connecticut home seller, you can always try to negotiate realtor commission rates yourself — you don’t have to just accept whatever listing an agent quotes you.
For example, you can see what different agents are charging and use that knowledge as negotiating leverage. You might also consider working with an up-and-coming agent who is more open to lowering their rates to get a new client.
Set realistic expectations when negotiating. Many realtors won’t lower their rates, and when they do, it’s not by much. Often the best way to pay a lower rate is to work with a real estate agent who charges the same low rate to all clients.
Sell without a realtor
Selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Connecticut lets you avoid paying the listing agent’s fee, effectively halving the cost of commission compared to working with a traditional agent. Most FSBO sellers still end up paying a conventional buyer’s agent fee, around 2.46% on the average Connecticut home sale.
While the potential savings from avoiding listing fees look great, there are many risks you’ll encounter when you try to sell your house without a realtor.
FSBO sellers take on a lot more work than regular home sellers. You’ll have to attract buyers, negotiate offers, pay extra fees to list your home on the MLS, and navigate legal paperwork. You’ll also miss out on the local market expertise that top real estate agents provide, which is critical when trying to price your home strategically to get the highest sale price possible.
In fact, research shows that FSBO homes sell for 5.5% less on average than similar properties listed with an agent. So while you may save 3% by cutting out the listing agent’s fee, you could lose more than that if your home sells for less than its full market value.
» MORE: How to sell your house without a realtor in Connecticut
FAQs about realtor fees in Connecticut
Are realtor fees negotiable in Connecticut?
Yes, realtor fees in CT are negotiable. However, not all realtors are willing to lower their fees, and those that are willing are unlikely to lower them more than 0.25%–0.5%. To save on realtor fees, you’re usually better off working with a low commission real estate broker.
What percentage do most realtors charge in Connecticut?
The average total realtor commission in Connecticut is 5.12%, split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent. On average, the seller’s agent commission is 2.66% and the buyer’s agent commission is 2.46%. However, realtor fees are negotiable, so it’s possible to get a lower rate than the state average. If you’re looking to pay less in realtor commission, we suggest working with a brokerage that offers built-in savings.
Who pays the realtor commission in Connecticut?
The seller pays the realtor commission in CT as part of the sale proceeds. Realtor fees are paid only when the house sells. This allows both the seller and the buyer to benefit from a real estate agent’s expertise without worrying about paying realtor fees upfront. Learn more about how realtor fees are paid.
How much are realtor fees for a home buyer in Connecticut?
Home buyers don’t pay realtor fees in Connecticut. Instead, the fees are baked into the listing price and come out of the proceeds of the sale. However, in Connecticut you may be eligible for a home buyer rebate. You can receive the rebate as a check or apply it to closing costs. Learn more about home buyer rebates and how to get one.
How much do realtors make on a typical sale in Connecticut?
For seller’s agents in Connecticut, the average commission is 2.66%; for buyer’s agents, the average is 2.46%. However, agents rarely take home the full commission. They often split half of it with their brokerage, plus they deduct expenses like photography, staging, and marketing. Learn more about how real estate agents get paid.
How much do realtors earn in Connecticut per year?
On average, real estate agents in CT make $78,540 per year, although for many realtors, their actual salary is much higher or much lower than that figure. Find out more about how much realtors earn.
Methodology
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