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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. We also interviewed a local Florida real estate agent. Learn how we researched.
Average Florida realtor fees | How to save on commission in Florida | Negotiating realtor fees
On average, you’ll pay a total of 5.40% in real estate commission when selling a home in Florida. This includes a 2.70% listing agent commission and a 2.70% buyer’s agent commission. In Florida, sellers typically cover the real estate commission fees for both agents out of their sale proceeds at closing.
All of this adds up to $20,396 in total commission based on the average home value of $377,706.
The specific commission you pay depends on your actual selling price, as well as the home’s condition and the brokerage you choose. Commissions also vary from one region of the state to another.
Our guide explains what you can expect to pay in commission when selling a home in Florida. Plus, you’ll learn why Florida commission rates cost what they do and how you can save on them when selling.
Florida 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 $377,706.
| Average rate | Cost | |
| Listing agent commission | 2.70% | $10,198 |
| Buyer’s agent commission | 2.70% | $10,198 |
| Total realtor fees | 5.40% | $20,396 |
If these numbers seem high, don’t worry. Realtor commissions aren’t set in stone. You can always negotiate with your realtor, or you can use a free service that negotiates a lower rate for you.
For example, Clever Real Estate negotiates a 1.5% listing fee with top agents from RE/MAX, Keller Williams, and other well-known brokerages . When you find your realtor through Clever, you’ll pay half the typical listing fee — saving you thousands on your sale.
How much is real estate commission in Florida?
On average, sellers pay 5.40% in total realtor fees in Florida, compared to the national average of 5.37%.
Ula Zucker Williams of Compass Florida Real Estate in Boca Raton says her fees are close to these average numbers.
“My listing fee begins at 6%, 3% to me, the listing agent, and 3% to the buyer’s agent,” says Williams. However, she noted that she’s gone as low as 5% before, depending on the situation.
Commission fees can also fluctuate depending on the location. For instance, a realtor might charge a different rate to sell a single-family home in Orlando than to sell a condo in Miami Beach.
Another factor affecting commission rates is market trends.
“In a seller’s market with low inventory and high demand, sellers know they will receive multiple offers, so they negotiate for lower commissions,” says Williams.
In Florida, homes are priced 5.8% higher than they were a year ago. But the number of homes sold has sunk by 37.6%. So while an agent might make a little more on each sale, they’ll have fewer listings overall. This trend might make agents more hesitant to reduce their fees.
To secure the best commission rate, research and compare agents. Even within your local area, agents may offer varying fees based on the services they provide.
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 Florida.
How real Florida agents and brokers set commission rates
Real estate agents typically have some degree of flexibility when it comes to setting their commission fees.
“There is no set rate,” says Williams. “Therefore, I can’t say 6% is the standard rate, but it is most common in the industry for residential listings.”
They usually determine the fee based on what their competitors in the region are offering, as well as the amount of time and effort they expect to invest in the sale.
For example, an agent who plans on extensive social media marketing and professional drone photography will likely charge a higher fee than another agent who implements only the basics, such as listing the property on the MLS.
Typically, the total commission is divided among four parties. The listing agent and the buyer’s agent receive their agreed-upon fees, and then each of them split the commission with their broker.
Another reason realtor fees are expensive is that agents have lots of overhead costs. In Florida, these include:
- Taxes: 15.3%
- Most real estate brokers and agents are considered self-employed and must pay taxes on their transaction earnings each year. Even though Florida has no state income tax, realtors are still responsible for paying a federal self-employment tax, which is about twice as expensive as the rate a regular employee would pay.
- Association dues: $600–800
- Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fees: $45–200 monthly
- State license fees: $53–59 biannually
- Administrative staff/transaction coordinators: $350–550 per transaction
- Realtors often have assistants who help with bookkeeping, scheduling, and other day-to-day operations. Transactions coordinators handle all the paperwork and deadlines for the sales process.
- Marketing costs: Varies
- “That includes professional photos by a real estate photographer, including video and drone photography; all open house expenses, including refreshments and brochures; signage, a single property website, and digital advertising to promote the listing,” says Williams.
How can I pay less on realtor fees in Florida?
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
“Everyone loves a deal, so 95% of sellers will negotiate commissions,” says Williams. “However, sellers need to understand the value of the real estate agent they are working with and the value the agent offers.”
If you’re considering negotiating with a real estate agent, ask yourself how difficult your home is going to be to sell. If it’s situated in a rapidly growing neighborhood with a high demand for homes, you can make the case that selling it will require minimal effort and time.
On the other hand, if your home is located in a rural area that appeals to a specific niche market, your agent will likely need to put in more work, justifying a higher commission.
Ways to negotiate lower realtor fees
- Hire your realtor as both a listing and buyer’s agent. “I can reduce commissions because we are doing more than one unit,” Williams explains. “Also, if I have a listing and know I will be working with the seller to purchase their next property after we close the listing, I honor the relationship by reducing the commission. I am flexible as long as we are fair to one another.”
- Ask to skip some services. If you think you can sell your home without a ton of advertising, ask your realtor if they’d reduce their commission by cutting marketing expenses.
- Take on some of the work yourself. If you can take pictures and stage the home yourself, you’ll cut back on your agent’s expenses, and they might be able to reduce their fee in return.
While it’s technically possible to negotiate your real estate commission, not all agents will be willing to lower their fees. They may have a set minimum imposed by their brokerage, or they may not change their rate for an individual seller.
A simpler way to pay less is by working with a real estate brokerage that already offers lower rates.
Work with a real estate brokerage that offers built-in savings
For most Florida sellers, the best way to save on real estate commissions is by working with a low-commission real estate brokerage. The best companies, like Clever Real Estate, provide the same level of service and support you’d get from a traditional realtor — but they charge less.
Clever is a free service that matches you with top-producing agents from reputable brokerages in your area. You can compare and interview agents or walk away anytime. If you find an agent through Clever, you’ll pay a low 1.5% listing fee — half the rate most realtors charge. Check out your agent matches today.
Sell without a realtor
The surest way to spend zero on listing commission is to sell the home without a realtor. However, we don’t recommend this option for most Florida sellers.
You won’t pay a listing commission, but you’ll have to do all of the work of the agent yourself, which can take up a lot of your time and energy. Also, you’ll still need to offer a competitive buyer’s agent commission to entice other agents to bring their clients to see your home.
Learn more about how to sell a house without a realtor in Florida.
Other FAQ about Florida real estate commissions
Who pays real estate commission in Florida?
In Florida, the seller usually pays the commission of both the listing agent and the buyer's agent. These fees are typically paid out of the home sale proceeds at closing. Learn more about how real estate commission works in Florida.
Can you negotiate realtor fees in Florida?
Yes, you can always negotiate realtor fees. But keep in mind your agent will incur a lot of upfront expenses 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 Florida.
Research methodology
We regularly survey our pool of 19,000 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 86 agents across Florida.
We also interviewed Ula Zucker Williams of Compass Florida Real Estate in Boca Raton.
Sources
- Redfin Florida Housing Market Data
- Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data
- Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
- Internal Revenue Service
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