Average Realtor Fees in Maine | Updated for 2023

• 

  Written by Jon Stubbs

• 

  Edited by Kristy Snyder

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

The average total real estate commission in Maine is 5.12%. This includes a 2.66% listing agent commission and a 2.46% buyer’s agent commission. In Maine, sellers typically cover the real estate commission fees for both agents out of their sale proceeds at closing. 

On the average Maine home price of $351,375, you’d pay $17,990 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 Maine. We’ll also explain why Maine commissions are what they are (and offer up some tips that could help you save). 

Maine 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 $351,375.

	Average rate	Cost
Listing agent commission	2.66%	$9,347
Buyer’s agent commission	2.46%	$8,644
Total realtor fees	5.12%	$17,990

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 28 vetted agents across Maine 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.

See agents near you!

How much are realtor fees in Maine?

The average total realtor fees in Maine are 5.12%. The seller usually pays for these.

Maine’s average realtor fees are down from 5.5% in 2021 and are also currently lower than the U.S. national average of 5.37%. This below-average trend is likely due to Maine’s hot real estate market, where home values rose 10.1% year over year, even as many other markets plateaued or declined.

Commission trends downward in a hot market since there’s more competition among agents. Agents are willing to make less on a sale if they know they can quickly move to the next deal.

Of course, averages don’t tell the whole story. Realtor fees vary widely from city to city and can change rapidly.

How real Maine agents and brokers set commission rates

Maine agents we talked to said their commission rates are almost always flexible.

Commission flexibility is mainly because different homes require different investments of time and labor. Easier, faster sales can command lower commissions, while longer, more difficult ones are going to be on the high end.

Keep in mind — your listing agent isn’t pocketing that entire 5.12%. The real estate commission is typically split between:

• The listing agent
• The listing agent’s broker
• The buyer’s agent
• The buyer’s agent’s broker

So in the average Maine home sale, the listing agent is only taking home 1.28%.

That relatively small slice of the pie has to cover a range of upfront and fixed professional costs:

• Taxes: Most real estate agents are considered self-employed by the IRS, and must pay taxes on their yearly earnings
• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fees: $45–200 per month
• State license fees: $100 every two years
• Administrative and support staff: Transaction coordinators, office managers, schedulers, social media assistants, accountants and tax professionals, etc.
• Marketing: Conducting open houses, professional pre-sale staging, digital advertising, signage fees, professional real estate photos, etc.

How can I save on realtor fees in Maine?

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

You can negotiate a discounted commission with your agent if you understand their side of things. Here are a few effective strategies:

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 Maine, so you don’t have to. Find a Maine 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 Maine 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 Maine.

Other FAQs about Maine 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 2 agents across Maine. 

Sources

• Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data
• Zillow Home Value Data
• Intuit TurboTax
• State of Maine Professional and Financial Regulation