Average Realtor Fees in Missouri | Updated for 2023

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  Written by Jon Stubbs

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  Edited by Kristy Snyder

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

The average total real estate commission in Missouri is 5.72%. This includes a 2.96% listing agent commission and a 2.76% buyer’s agent commission. In Missouri, sellers typically cover the real estate commission fees for both agents out of their sale proceeds at closing. 

Missouri sellers pay an average of $12,641 in realtor fees, based on the average Missouri home price of $220,992.

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

Missouri 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 $220,992.

	Average rate	Cost
Listing agent commission	2.96%	$6,541
Buyer’s agent commission	2.76%	$6,099
Total realtor fees	5.72%	$12,641

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How much are realtor fees in Missouri?

In Missouri, average total realtor fees are 5.72%. The sellers typically pays this commission out of the proceeds from the sale. That’s right — buyers typically pay no commission at all.

Missouri’s average commission rate is slightly higher than the U.S. national average of 5.37%. However, commission in Missouri is trending downwards, falling from 5.90% in 2021. 

Falling commission rates in Missouri are likely due to Missouri’s healthy housing market. Home values in Missouri rose 2.8% over the previous year. However, home sales across the state have fallen nearly 23%. 

Digging into local numbers is more encouraging. While big cities like Kansas City saw sale prices go up by nearly 7%, other hotspots like St. Joseph, Oakville, and Cape Girardeau saw sale price increases that topped 20%. 

Why does a healthy market drive commission rates down? Agents are more likely to agree to commission discounts if they know they can close the deal quickly and move onto their next sale. The opposite is also true; commission goes up in a slow market since agents are forced to maximize each sale.

Overall, commission varies a lot between cities and can change very quickly if the market moves. If you’re a Missouri homeowner thinking of selling in the near future, talk to a variety of local real estate agents to get a sense of your local commission rate. 

How real Missouri agents and brokers set commission rates

Agents and brokers typically set their commission rates based on a combination of local market rates and how much time and effort they think they’ll have to put into the sale.

For that reason, an agent’s commission rates are almost always flexible. 

For example, if you’re selling a desirable property that’ll probably get multiple offers after your first open house, your agent will likely be very open to negotiating a lower commission. The house basically sells itself, and the deal will wrap up quickly. 

On the other hand, if you’re selling a unique property in a slower market, it could take months and many showings before you find the right buyer. In that case, your agent will probably insist on closer to full commission.

On top of that, agents may not make quite as much as you think. Realtor commission is typically split between four parties:

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

Your listing agent is only going to pocket about a quarter of the total commission. Agents have to cover a lot of costs out of that money, including:

• Taxes: Real estate agents must pay a self-employment tax of 15.3% on all commission earned
• Association and MLS fees: ~$500 annually
• State license fees: $40 annually
• Administrative staff: Assistants can help with bookkeeping, scheduling, and other day-to-day operations
• Marketing costs: Professional photos, advertising, open houses, and staging

How can I save on realtor fees in Missouri?

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

Almost every realtor we spoke to said their commission rate was up for negotiation. But convincing an agent to do their job for less money can be a challenge. Here are some proven strategies to negotiate a lower commission.

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

Other FAQs about Missouri 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 11 agents across Missouri. 

Sources

• Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data
• Redfin – Missouri Housing Market
• Internal Revenue Service
• Southwest Missouri Board of Realtors
• Missouri Division of Professional Registration