Published
-
Written by
-
Edited by Jessica Johansen
Written by Jamie Ayers
Edited by Jessica Johansen
What’s a fair realtor fee in Maryland? | How much does commission cost? | Who pays realtor fees? | Tips to save on Maryland realtor fees | FAQs
Note: When you work with one of our partners, we may earn a small referral fee. Learn more about our editorial policy and how we make money.
Realtor fees in Maryland cost an average of 5.11%, which equates to a total commission fee of $19,820 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.
Below, we share what you need to know about the average realtor fees in Maryland. We break down who pays the realtor commission and how fees can change based on market conditions. With this knowledge, you can spot an unfair rate and avoid getting overcharged.
If you’re like many Maryland home sellers, you might think 5.11% is too much to pay a realtor. Luckily, there are lots of ways to save on realtor fees in Maryland.
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 Maryland?
A fair realtor commission in Maryland 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 Maryland realtors expect a total commission rate of around the statewide average of 5.11%. But you may be able to persuade your agent that a lower fee is fair if:
- Your home value is higher than average for the area
- You’re in a hot market where bidding wars are common
- Your home is in great condition
- Properties like yours are selling quickly in Maryland
- 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 Maryland real estate agents with low commission rates. The top discount brands offer reduced listing fees (as low as 1.5% in Maryland!), but still provide all the expertise and hands-on service you’d expect from an experienced local agent.
How much do realtor fees in Maryland cost?
| Average realtor fee | |
|---|---|
| Listing fee | 2.60% |
| Buyer's agent fee | 2.51% |
| Total Maryland realtor fees | 5.11% |
The average Maryland realtor commission rate is 5.11%, with 2.60% going to the listing agent and the remaining 2.51% going to the buyer’s agent.
Maryland 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 Maryland sellers end up paying between 4.32%–5.90% 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 Maryland:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $387,872 |
| Realtor fees | $19,820 |
| Seller closing costs | $6,342 |
| Mortgage payoff | $55,730 |
| Seller net | $323,419 |
Realtor fees in Maryland are the seller’s responsibility. But sellers don’t need to worry about paying a realtor upfront or out of pocket; instead, realtor fees come out of the proceeds of the sale. Sellers do need to make sure their homes are priced high enough to cover realtor commission.
What factors affect realtor fees in Maryland?
Average realtor fees in Maryland 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $405,957 | 8.29% |
| United States | $357,810 | 14.86% |
Source: Zillow. Last updated: March 2023.
One of the biggest factors affecting realtor fees is home price trends. When home prices fall, realtor fees tend to rise or stagnate. Conversely, when home prices rise, realtor fees are more likely to go down.
Realtors often want high-priced listings and may lower their rates to get them. Usually, charging a lower fee on an expensive home nets a realtor more money than charging a high fee on a low-priced home.
The median home price in Maryland is currently $405,957. It’s important to consider how your home compares to that figure. For example, if you have a high-value home compared to the average, you may find realtors willing to negotiate their fees to get your listing — even if home prices are falling in your market.
How many homes are for sale
| Annual trend | |
|---|---|
| Maryland | up 25.5% |
| United States | up 67.8% |
Source: Realtor.com. Last updated: February 2023.
Inventory, which refers to the number of homes for sale, is another factor affecting realtor fees. Low inventory means fewer listings for realtors. In this climate, realtors may lower their fees to compete for a listing. Also, when less homes are available, home prices tend to increase. Realtors may lower their rates knowing they can make more money overall on higher-priced listings.
When inventory is high, the opposite happens. More listings are available, so realtors don’t usually have to offer discounted rates to get a listing. Plus, with high inventory, sales are less of a guarantee, meaning realtors will likely have to work harder for each listing. Often, they don’t want to lower their fees when they know they’re in for more work.
Active listings in Maryland are up 25.5% since last year. Nationwide, inventory is up 67.8%.
How quickly homes are selling
| Average days on market* | |
|---|---|
| Maryland | 39 days |
| United States | 48 days |
*12-month rolling average. Source: Realtor.com. Last updated: February 2023.
The time homes spend on the market has a similar effect on realtor fees as inventory. Generally, when inventory is low, homes spend less time on the market, and when inventory is high, homes spend more time.
When the market is hot and homes sell quickly, realtor fees tend to go down since each sale is faster and easier for realtors. When the market cools and homes take longer to sell, realtors are more likely to keep their fees high since each commission takes longer to make.
Across Maryland, homes sell in an average of 39 days, but selling times can vary between markets. For example, the average selling timeline in Easton is 25 days, but homes in Cambridge average 58 days on the market.
But remember that the typical time to sell in your market is not a guarantee of how long your house will take to sell. Talk to a real estate agent to see whether you could sell your home quicker or slower than the market average. This information will also give you an idea of whether you can negotiate lower realtor fees.
How are realtor fees split in Maryland?
Realtor fees in Maryland 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 2.60% of the home price and the buyer’s agent earns 2.51%, for a total commission of 5.11%.
Although common, there’s no rule to split commission 50/50 between the listing fee and the buyer’s agent fee. The seller can negotiate each rate, but they have to find an agent willing to work with their proposed rate, and offering a low commission has downsides.
For example, if you offer a low buyer’s agent commission, buyer’s agents don’t have an incentive to show your house to their clients. This will make your house harder to sell and may result in low offers from buyers.
On top of that, agents give a portion of their commission — often 50% — to their brokerages. This means agents rarely take home the commission rate set by the seller; their actual pay is closer to half that rate.
The table below breaks down an example of a typical Maryland realtor commission split.
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Seller's agent take home | 1.30% |
| Seller's agent's broker split | 1.30% (~50% of the seller's agent's commission ) |
| Buyer's agent take home | 1.255% |
| Buyer's agent's broker split | 1.255% (~50% of the buyer's agent's commission ) |
| Total commission | 5.11% |
Who pays realtor commission in Maryland?
The seller typically pays realtor commission in Maryland for both the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. The commission isn’t paid upfront or out of pocket. Instead, it comes out of the sale proceeds, and the seller pays only when the house is sold.
The seller covers the buyer’s agent fee so buyers don’t have to pay that fee upfront. Most buyers can’t afford to do that without a guarantee of purchasing a house. If buyers had to pay, sellers would have a much smaller pool of potential buyers.
Offering a competitive buyer’s agent fee also acts as a marketing tool for sellers. Since the fee is how buyer’s agents get paid, a competitive offer can incentivize those agents to show a seller’s property to their clients. This increases the pool of potential buyers and may even help the seller get a better price for their home.
How to save on realtor fees in Maryland
If you’re selling a house in Maryland 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 Maryland 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 2.60% listing fee that most Maryland agents charge.
Negotiate a lower realtor fee on your own
As a Maryland 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.
You can try to negotiate the commission rate with your realtor by offering to make your house easier to sell. For example, you could ask your realtor if there are any renovations or maintenance projects that buyers are currently looking for. If you undertake such projects, your realtor may be able to sell your house faster and work for a lower fee.
But many realtors refuse to negotiate their rates. Even when a realtor is open to negotiating, they’re unlikely to knock down their rates by more than 0.25%–0.5%. Usually, you’ll get a better rate working with a realtor who charges a low commission rate to all clients.
Sell without a realtor
Selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO) in Maryland 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 2.51% on the average Maryland 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 Maryland
FAQs about realtor fees in Maryland
Are realtor fees negotiable in Maryland?
Yes, realtor fees in MD are negotiable. However, many realtors either refuse to lower their fees or won’t lower them by much. The best way to pay less in realtor commission — without sacrificing service — is to use a real estate agent who charges low rates to all clients.
What percentage do most realtors charge in Maryland?
MD realtor commission is 5.11%, split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent. On average, the buyer’s agent gets 2.51% and the seller’s agent gets 2.6%. If you want to pay less than the average, work with a low commission brokerage. Check out our rankings of the top low commission agents and brokers.
Who pays the realtor commission in Maryland?
The seller pays the realtor commission in Maryland as part of the sale proceeds. The seller doesn’t pay upfront or out of pocket, as long as the sale price is high enough to cover the realtor fees and other closing costs. Learn more about who pays realtor fees.
How much are realtor fees for a home buyer in Maryland?
Buyers don’t pay realtor fees in Maryland. Realtor fees are the responsibility of the seller and are baked into the listing price of the home. However, as a buyer, you may be eligible for a home buyer rebate. Learn more about how home buyer rebates work and if you’re eligible.
How much do realtors make on a typical sale in Maryland?
The average total commission in Maryland is 5.11%. In dollars, that’s approximately $20,700, based on the median home value in the state. However, that amount is split between both agents and also shared with each agent’s brokerage. Each agent may get around only a quarter of the total commission, or a little over $5,000 on a typical sale. Learn more about how realtor commission works.
How much do realtors earn in Maryland per year?
The average annual salary for a realtor in Maryland is $64,410, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, realtor salaries vary greatly according to location and experience. Find out more about realtor salaries.
Methodology
Related Links
Cost to Sell a House in Maryland: Selling a house can come with a lot of expenses — both expected and unexpected. To make sure you’re not caught by surprise, we break down how much it really costs to sell your home in Maryland.
How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in Maryland: Selling a house on your own will help you save on realtor fees, but it’s a lot of work. We look at what it takes to sell a house without a realtor in Maryland and how to tell if it’s right for you.
We Buy Houses in Maryland | Top Companies: Looking to sell your house fast? A We Buy Houses company can give you an all-cash offer and close in a matter of weeks. They may not be the best choice for most people, but if you’re in a pinch, they might be the solution you’re looking for.
Top 2% Real Estate Commission Companies: Most listing agents charge 2.5%–3% in commission, so a 2% commission company can net you decent savings without sacrificing service. Here are our rankings of the best 2% real estate companies.
How to Choose a Realtor: Choosing a realtor is a hard decision, especially when you don’t know what to look for. We share what makes a good realtor stand out from the rest — and what red flags to avoid.
Leave a Reply