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

The average total real estate commission in Nebraska is 5.66%. This includes a 2.96% listing agent commission and a 2.70% buyer’s agent commission. In Nebraska, sellers typically cover the real estate commission fees for both agents out of their sale proceeds at closing. 

Nebraska sellers pay an average of $13,405 in realtor fees, based on the average Nebraska home price of $236,836.

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

Nebraska 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 $236,836.

	Average rate	Cost
Listing agent commission	2.96%	$7,010
Buyer’s agent commission	2.70%	$6,395
Total realtor fees	5.66%	$13,405

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How much are realtor fees in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, the average total realtor fees are 5.66%. The seller pays these fees out of the proceeds of their home sale. 

Nebraska’s average commission is slightly higher than the U.S. national average of 5.37%. It’s also gone up since 2021 when it was only 5.30%.

Real estate commission in Nebraska is likely increasing because of the housing market slowdown. According to Redfin, total home sales in Nebraska have plummeted over 25% this year, and the number of new listings is down over 19%. Sales are taking a lot longer, too — the average days on market increased by 50% since last year.

Commission tends to rise in a cooling market since agents are competing for a decreasing number of listings. An agent won’t be inclined to cut you a deal if they aren’t sure when their next sale will be.

Of course, averages don’t tell the whole story. Commission varies from city to city and can change abruptly if the market shifts. If you’re a Nebraska homeowner looking to sell your home, talk to several local real estate agents to find what commission rate is typical for your local market.

How real Nebraska agents and brokers set commission rates

Agents and brokers in Nebraska typically set their commission rates based on the average local rate and the unique circumstances of each sale.

For example, if you have a unique property in a cooler market, they may have to spend many weeks or months finding a buyer. This makes them less likely to discount their fees.

On the other hand, if you’re selling a very desirable property in a booming market that’ll likely get multiple offers after the first showing, your agent will probably be open to cutting you a deal on commission.

Another complicating factor is how commissions are split. Agents make less than many people realize because commissions are typically split between:

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

So in Nebraska, your listing agent is only pocketing a fourth of the total real estate commission. Agents have to pay a lot of fixed costs out of that small amount:

• Taxes: Real estate agents must pay a self-employment tax of 15.3% on all commission earned
• Association and MLS fees: $625 annually
• State license fees: $180 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

How can I save on realtor fees in Nebraska?

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

Nearly every agent we spoke to said their commission rate was up for negotiation. However, getting your agent to give you a commission discount isn’t as easy as asking for it — you have to convince them it’s in both your best interests. Here are some proven ways to negotiate lower realtor fees.

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

Other FAQs about Nebraska 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 six agents across Nebraska.

Sources

• Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data
• Redfin – Nebraska Housing Market
• Internal Revenue Service
• Omaha Area Board of Realtors
• Nebraska Real Estate Commission