Average Realtor Fees in Idaho | Updated for 2023

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  Written by Lindsay Stefan

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  Edited by Kristy Snyder

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

The average total real estate commission in Idaho is 5.36%. This includes a 2.68% listing agent commission and a 2.68% buyer’s agent commission. In Idaho, sellers typically cover the real estate commission fees for both agents out of their sale proceeds at closing. 

Idaho sellers pay an average of $23,075 in realtor fees, based on the average Idaho home price of $430,508.

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

Idaho 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 $430,508.

	Average rate	Cost
Listing agent commission	2.68%	$11,538
Buyer’s agent commission	2.68%	$11,538
Total realtor fees	5.36%	$23,075

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How much are realtor fees in Idaho?

The average real estate commission percentage in Idaho is 5.36%, which is right on par with the national average of 5.37%.

Rates can vary depending on a number of factors, including who your agent is, what kinds of listing packages they offer, and what rates are competitive in your area. These can also fluctuate over time. In fact, the current average commission rate is down from 5.60% in 2021.

The state of the market may also influence rates. If the market is hot, agents close more sales and may be able to work with you on the pricing. On the other hand, a slow market means they need every transaction to count, so discounted rates may be harder to come by.

Home sales in Idaho were down by 30.9% year-over-year in September 2022. However, home prices in that same timeframe were up 2.5%. The slowing sales and the overpriced market could very well mean lower commission checks for Idaho realtors for the foreseeable future.

That means it’ll probably be difficult to negotiate lower commissions for a while.

Ultimately, your best bet is to talk to multiple agents in your area to see what they offer and at what rate. This will help you determine a fair rate for your listing and if there’s any wiggle room on cost.

How real Idaho agents and brokers set commission rates

When it comes to Idaho real estate commission, some agents we’ve spoken to say their rates are flexible, but others insist that their rates are firm, as they only offer premium service.

Ultimately, a realtor is always trying to balance the work involved in selling a home with the amount they make from that sale. A high-priced home listed in a hot market will probably be easy to sell and result in a large commission check. A lower-priced home in a bad neighborhood, by contrast, could involve a lot more work to market and sell and result in a lower commission.

Besides the substantial effort it takes to list, market, and sell a home, there are also quite a few expenses involved with being a listing agent. Here are just a few of the expenses agents must pay:

• Taxes: Real estate agents must pay a self-employment tax of 15.3% on all commission earned
• Association dues: $150–200 annually
• MLS and related fees: $360–957 annually
• State license fees: $160 every two years
• Administrative staff: Assistants can help with bookkeeping, scheduling, and other day-to-day operations
• Marketing costs: Professional photos, advertising, open houses, and staging

And don’t forget that commission fees are usually split four ways, between the listing agent, buying agent, and both of their brokerages. When it’s all said and done, your agent probably isn’t walking away with nearly as much as you originally thought. 

Agents take all of these things into consideration when negotiating a rate with you.

How can I save on realtor fees in Idaho?

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

There’s no way to know if your agent is willing to lower their commission fee unless you ask. That said, there are some things you might do to encourage your agent to accept a lower fee to help you sell your home.

According to founder of Build Idaho and licensed agent, Trey Langford, the most common circumstance where he would consider lowering his rate is when the customer “is an investor and they intend to have several transactions annually.” It’s also possible “if the client is going to buy and sell with him.” 

Ultimately, it boils down to basic math. More volume of sales means more commission checks, and the faster the sales close, the easier it is to close more often. Knowing this is the key to making it possible for your realtor to work with you on lowering their fee.

Below are some additional strategies to consider when trying to negotiate a lower realtor fee.

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 Idaho, so you don’t have to. Find an Idaho 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.

“As competition increases and technology improves, it is inevitable that buyers and sellers will have more options,” said Langford. “It will be up to the consumer to understand if the best decision is a low cost leader, a boutique real estate company, or something in between.”

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 Idaho 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 Idaho.

Other FAQs about Idaho 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 10 agents across Idaho.

We also interviewed Trey Langford, founder of Build Idaho and licensed agent.

Sources

• Norada Real Estate Investments
• Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data
• Internal Revenue Service
• Boise Regional Realtors
• Real Estate Academy of Idaho
• Idaho Real Estate Commission