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

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

Vermont sellers pay an average of $16,371 in realtor fees, based on the average Vermont home price of $319,746.

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

Vermont 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 $319,746.

	Average rate	Cost
Listing agent commission	2.66%	$8,505
Buyer’s agent commission	2.46%	$7,866
Total realtor fees	5.12%	$16,371

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’s partnered with 10 top-producing agents across Vermont 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!

If you’re selling a home in Vermont, you’ll spend an average of 5.12% in total realtor fees, compared to the national average of 5.37%.

How much are realtor fees in Vermont?

Not all realtors in Vermont charge the exact same commission. To get the best listing commission for your home sale, shop around among local agents. Even within your town, agents may charge different rates for different neighborhoods, depending on the effort needed to sell a home there. 

For example, selling a pristine home in Burlington might be easier and require a smaller marketing budget than selling a rural fixer-upper ski lodge near Killington.

The state of the local real estate market also heavily influences what agents charge for commission. In Vermont, housing prices are down 1.2% from a year ago, and the number of homes sold is down 28.5%. Properties are also taking three days longer to sell than in 2022.

With listing agents selling fewer homes than they were a year ago, they might be less likely to reduce their commissions. They’ll need every bit of the remaining commissions they have to turn a profit.

How real Vermont agents and brokers set commission rates

Agents usually charge a similar rate as other realtors in the area. However, agents usually have some degree of flexibility based on the specifics of the listing, especially how much time, energy, and upfront expenses they’ll need to invest to sell the home. 

But agents don’t want to reduce their commission too much, because they split it with their broker. Of the average 2.66% listing commission in Vermont, half would go to the listing agent and half would go to their broker. The buyer’s agent commission is split the same way. 

Realtors also need to pay for a number of overhead expenses with their commission. In Vermont, realtor expenses include: 

• Taxes: Most real estate brokers and agents are considered self-employed and must pay taxes on their transaction earnings each year
• Association dues: $150–300
• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fees: $252 every year
• State license fees: $100 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

Selling a home takes a lot of time, work, and money, and commission compensates Vermont realtors for this.

How can I save on realtor fees in Vermont?

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

When preparing to negotiate with a real estate agent, take into account how much work you think will be involved in selling your home. In a hot neighborhood where home listings are moving quickly, you can make the case that your home will require minimal time and effort to sell. 

But if you’re selling a property in a remote area with less interest, your agent will need to put in more effort and will expect a higher fee.

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

Other FAQs about Vermont 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 one agent across Vermont. 

Sources

• Redfin – Vermont Housing Market
• Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data
• Vermont Secretary of State
• Internal Revenue Service
• Council of Multiple Listing Services