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Edited by Jessica Johansen
Written by Jamie Ayers
Edited by Jessica Johansen
What’s a fair realtor fee in Georgia? | How much does commission cost? | Who pays realtor fees? | Tips to save on Georgia realtor fees | FAQs
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Realtor fees in Georgia cost an average of 5.76%, which equates to a total commission fee of $17,273 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.
You can benefit from knowing the average realtor fees in Georgia in several ways. For example, you can make a better budget for your next home sale, and you can avoid getting overcharged on realtor commission.
But if you’re like many Georgia home sellers, you might think 5.76% is too much to pay a realtor. Luckily, there are lots of ways to save on realtor fees in Georgia.
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 Georgia?
A fair realtor commission in Georgia 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 Georgia realtors expect a total commission rate of around the statewide average of 5.76%. 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 live in a hot market where bidding wars are common
- Your home is in great condition
- Properties similar to 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 Georgia real estate agents with low commission rates. The top discount brands offer reduced listing fees (as low as 1.5% in Georgia!), but still provide all the expertise and hands-on service you’d expect from an experienced local agent.
How much do realtor fees in Georgia cost?
| Average realtor fee | |
|---|---|
| Listing fee | 2.87% |
| Buyer's agent fee | 2.89% |
| Total Georgia realtor fees | 5.76% |
The average Georgia realtor commission rate is 5.76%, with 2.87% going to the listing agent and the remaining 2.89% going to the buyer’s agent.
Georgia 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 Georgia sellers end up paying between 5.06%–6.48% 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 Georgia:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $299,886 |
| Realtor fees | $17,273 |
| Seller closing costs | $2,499 |
| Mortgage payoff | $34,200 |
| Seller net | $266,061 |
In Georgia, sellers typically pay the realtor fees. These fees come out of the sale proceeds, so as the seller, you don’t have to pay upfront or before your house sells. Just remember to set your listing price high enough to cover the realtor fees.
What factors affect realtor fees in Georgia?
Average realtor fees in Georgia 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $323,991 | 21.59% |
| United States | $357,810 | 14.86% |
Source: Zillow. Last updated: February 2023.
Changing home prices impact realtor fees. When home prices increase, realtors tend to offer better rates, but when prices decrease, realtors tend to raise their rates or keep them the same.
The reason? Realtor commission is based on a percentage of the final purchase price. So when homes sell for more, realtors can make more money even if they charge a lower rate. But if home prices are lower, realtors need to charge a higher rate to make the same amount as they make when prices are high.
Currently the median home value in Georgia is $323,991. If your home is above that rate, you may find a realtor willing to negotiate their fees. If your home is worth less, getting a deal on realtor fees will be more challenging.
How many homes are for sale
| Annual trend | |
|---|---|
| Georgia | up 73.6% |
| United States | up 67.8% |
Source: Realtor.com. Last updated: February 2023.
Housing inventory can also give you an idea of where realtor fees are headed. When more active listings are on the market, realtor fees are usually higher. But when fewer homes are listed, realtor fees are typically lower.
Fewer homes on the market is usually an indicator of high buyer demand. In this situation, realtors are incentivized to lower their fees for two reasons: first, homes don’t require as much effort to sell, and second, agents are competing with each other for a smaller pool of listings.
The opposite occurs when many homes are listed. Homes become harder to sell and agents aren’t competing as aggressively for listings. So realtor fees tend to stay the same or increase.
Active listings in Georgia are up 73.6% since last year. Nationwide, inventory is up 67.8%.
How quickly homes are selling
| Average days on market* | |
|---|---|
| Georgia | 41 days |
| United States | 48 days |
*12-month rolling average. Source: Realtor.com. Last updated: February 2023.
Whether homes are selling quickly or slowly also impacts whether realtor fees go up or down. When homes are selling quickly, each listing is easier to sell, which means a faster paycheck for realtors. Realtor fees are more likely to go down in this scenario.
But when homes are taking longer to sell, realtors may have to work harder and wait longer to get paid. They need to keep their fees high to protect their bottom lines.
Across Georgia, homes sell in an average of 41 days, but selling times can vary between markets. For example, the average selling timeline in Hinesville is 16 days, but homes in Americus average 70 days on the market.
You can find out how quickly homes are selling in your local market by talking to a realtor in your area. They’ll have the most current information from on-the-ground experience, and they can tell you how your house stacks up against the current market.
Remember that just because the market is behaving in a certain way doesn’t mean that your house will follow that pattern. For example, if your home includes in-demand features, it’s more likely to sell faster than the market average. In that case, a realtor may be open to accepting a lower rate.
How are realtor fees split in Georgia?
Realtor fees in Georgia 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 2.87% of the home price and the buyer’s agent earns 2.89%, for a total commission of 5.76%.
Just because realtor commission is usually split 50/50 between the two agents doesn’t mean it has to be. If you’re the seller, you decide how much commission to offer each agent.
So what’s preventing you from offering less than the market average? For one, listing agents can simply refuse to work with you if they feel your rate is too low.
And if you don’t offer buyer’s agents a competitive rate, you disincentivize them from showing your house to their clients. In the long run, you’d only be hurting yourself because you’d be making it harder to find a buyer.
When making an offer, keep in mind that realtors share their commission with their brokerages, often 50%. So even if you offer an agent 3% commission, they may take home only 1.5%.
The table below breaks down an example of a typical Georgia realtor commission split.
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Seller's agent take home | 1.435% |
| Seller's agent's broker split | 1.435% (~50% of the seller's agent's commission ) |
| Buyer's agent take home | 1.445% |
| Buyer's agent's broker split | 1.445% (~50% of the buyer's agent's commission ) |
| Total commission | 5.76% |
Who pays realtor commission in Georgia?
The seller is typically responsible for paying realtor commission in Georgia, both for the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. The commission is paid only when the house sells as part of the sale proceeds.
While it may sound counterintuitive for the seller to pay the buyer’s agent fee, this arrangement actually benefits the seller. As the seller, you can offer a competitive buyer’s agent commission, incentivizing agents to show your property to their clients and increasing the amount of buyer interest in your house.
Also, if the seller didn’t pay the buyer’s agent commission, buyers would have to pay their agents out of pocket. Many buyers can’t afford to do this, which would mean fewer buyers in the market and a smaller pool of potential buyers for your home.
How to save on realtor fees in Georgia
If you’re selling a house in Georgia 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 Georgia 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 2.87% listing fee that most Georgia agents charge.
Negotiate a lower realtor fee on your own
As a Georgia 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.
Some tactics you can use to potentially land lower realtor fees include:
- Comparing offers from multiple realtors
- Investing in renovations that make your house easier to sell
- Working with a novice realtor
- Offering a competitive buyer’s agent fee
When trying to negotiate lower realtor fees, remember that your chances of success are limited. Many realtors refuse to lower their fees, and those that are open to negotiating are unlikely to discount their rates by more than 0.25–0.5%.
If lower realtor fees are a priority, consider working with a realtor or broker that charges the same low rate to every client. Some low commission real estate agents even offer the same service as traditional agents, but for a lot less.
Sell without a realtor
Selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Georgia 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 2.89% on the average Georgia 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 Georgia
FAQs about realtor fees in Georgia
Are realtor fees negotiable in Georgia?
Yes, realtor fees are negotiable in Georgia. As the seller, it’s your decision how much you offer in commission to both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. However, not all agents will accept a listing with a low realtor fee. Your best bet for paying lower rates while still getting good service is to work with a low commission brokerage.
What percentage do most realtors charge in Georgia?
The average realtor commission in Georgia is 5.76%, split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. The average listing agent fee is 2.87%, and the average buyer’s agent commission is 2.89%. It’s possible to pay less than the state average, however. If you want to save money on your home sale, check out the best discount real estate brokerages.
Who pays the realtor commission in Georgia?
The seller typically pays the realtor commission in Georgia. Real estate commission is paid as a percentage of the sale proceeds, so sellers usually don’t have to pay realtors upfront or before the house sells. Read more about how realtor fees work and who pays them.
How much are realtor fees for a home buyer in Georgia?
Home buyers typically don’t pay any realtor fees in Georgia. Sellers cover the buyer’s agent commission as a percentage of the sale proceeds. But if you’re buying a house, you may be eligible for a buyer rebate to get money back after closing. Check out how buyer rebates work and how to qualify.
How much do realtors make on a typical sale in Georgia?
The average total realtor commission in Georgia is 5.76%, which is equivalent to roughly $18,400, based on the average sale price in the state. That amount is split about 50/50 between the two agents, who then share a portion (usually another 50%) with their brokerages. So realtors often take home just a quarter of the overall commission, or around $4,600. Read more about how realtors get paid.
How much does a realtor in GA make?
The average annual income for realtors in Georgia is $55,190, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But salaries vary. The bottom 10% earn less than $22,680, while the top 10% earn more than $85,330. Learn more about how much realtors earn across the United States.
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