Average Realtor Fees in Montana | 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 Montana realtor fees | How Montana agents set rates | How to save on commission in Montana | FAQ | Our research

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

On the average Montana home price of $427,886, you’d pay $22,935 in realtor fees as a seller.

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

Montana 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 $427,886.

	Average rate	Cost
Listing agent commission	2.68%	$11,467
Buyer’s agent commission	2.68%	$11,467
Total realtor fees	5.36%	$22,935

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How much are realtor fees in Montana?

On average, realtor fees in Montana are 5.36% of a home’s final sale price. Typically, sellers pay all realtor fees at closing. 

Montana’s average commission is right on par with the national average (5.37%). Understanding the average can give you a good starting point for budgeting when thinking about selling your home. 

That said, realtor fees range anywhere from 4% to 7% depending on the market, the home, and even your relationship with your realtor.

Housing markets in Montana vary drastically. To put things into perspective, the average home in the northern industrial city of Great Falls sells for $320,000; the median listing price in Bozeman is a whopping $795,000. Real estate commissions may look very different in each of those areas.

Ultimately, we recommend asking three to four agents in your local area to get a more accurate understanding of what to expect. 

Montana real estate commission also changes with trends over time. In 2021, the average commission in the Big Sky state was nearly 6% — significantly higher than today’s 5.36%. 

With a rush of out-of-staters moving to Montana over the last three years, homes have been selling at a high volume. With lots of fast sales, some realtors may charge less per transaction.

How real Montana agents and brokers set commission rates

Montana real estate agents have to meet their bottom line, but beyond that, some agents are willing to negotiate fees if they expect the sale to require less effort.

For example, if a home is in great condition, priced well, and in a desirable neighborhood, the agent won’t need to spend as much time marketing it — and time is money.

When setting real estate commission rates, agents also factor in their commission split. A total commission on a home sale can be split by as many as four different agents and brokers, so your listing agent may take home as little as 1.3%.

With that little slice of commission, your real estate agent has a long list of overhead costs to cover to be able to sell your home. At a minimum, these can include:

• Taxes: Real estate agents must pay a self-employment tax of 15.3% on all commission earned
• Association dues: $150–850 annually (depending on level of participation)
• MLS fees: $150 quarterly 
• State license fees: $80 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 pay less on realtor fees in Montana?

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

Multiple agents we spoke to for this article said they’re willing to negotiate commission rates with clients in Montana. One agent in Bozeman said he’d charge as low as 5% total commission, while another said she’d charge as low as 4% in certain cases.

Both agreed that it’s mostly about whether a seller asks for a discount or not. So the best thing you can do for yourself is ask. Worst case scenario: they say no, and you’re not at a loss.

Some sellers find negotiating awkward and uncomfortable. If you’d rather avoid it, you can find an agent with a lower commission through Clever Real Estate. They’ve already pre-negotiated a 1.5% listing fee with experienced agents in Montana, so you don’t have to. Find a Montana 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 Montana 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 Montana.

Other FAQs about Montana 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 four agents across Montana. 

Author Lindsay Stefan lives in Bozeman, MT, where she recently sold her home. Before signing a listing agreement, she successfully negotiated with two different agents in the local area. Suggestions about negotiating with realtors come directly from her recent experience. 

Sources

• Zillow Home Value Data
• Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data
• Realtor.com Median Listing Price Data
• Report shows Montana has highest proportion of inbound moves in US, NBC Montana
• Self-employment tax, Internal Revenue Service
• Dues and MLS Fees, Gallatin Association of Realtors
• Montana Board of Realty Regulation, Montana Department of Labor and Industry