Average Realtor Fees in West Virginia | 2023 Update

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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 West Virginia realtor fees | How West Virginia agents set rates | How to save on commission in West Virginia | FAQ | Our research

The average total real estate commission in West Virginia is 5.44%. This includes a 2.72% listing agent commission and a 2.72% buyer’s agent commission. In West Virginia, sellers typically cover the real estate commission fees for both agents out of their sale proceeds at closing. 

West Virginia sellers pay an average of $7,997 in realtor fees, based on the average West Virginia home price of $146,997.

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

West Virginia 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 $146,997.

	Average rate	Cost
Listing agent commission	2.72%	$3,998
Buyer’s agent commission	2.72%	$3,998
Total realtor fees	5.44%	$7,997

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How much are realtor fees in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, the average total realtor fees come to 5.44%. The seller typically pays this commission out of the home sale’s proceeds. West Virginia’s average commission is slightly higher than the U.S. national average of 5.37%.

Of course, averages don’t paint the whole picture. West Virginia commission rates vary widely from city to city and even from neighborhood to neighborhood. In the state capital of Charleston, where home values are higher than the state average, agents probably charge lower commission than in slower markets like Fairmont or Milton.

The best way to learn about the average commission in your area is to talk to a variety of local agents. 

Commission rates also frequently go up or down based on fluctuations in the market. Good news for sellers: in West Virginia, commission rates are trending downwards, as they averaged 5.50% in 2021.

This drop in commission is likely due to West Virginia’s hot statewide real estate market, where home values rose 8% year over year. Commissions tend to fall in hot markets since agents are competing with each other for sales. Often, they’re more open to reducing their commission because they know they can quickly move on to their next deal.

How real West Virginia agents and brokers set commission rates

Agents we talked to almost always signaled that their commission rates are flexible. 

Calculating real estate commission comes down to a very common-sense formula. In general, if you have a desirable home in a hot market that’ll probably sell after the first open house, an agent will probably be open to cutting you a discount on commission since they won’t spend a lot of time on your sale. 

On the other hand, if you have a unique or outdated home in a slower market, an agent knows they’ll have to put in a lot of time getting the home ready and finding the right buyer. They’ll probably ask for a higher commission.

Agents also make less money than many people realize. The typical real estate commission is split four ways between the listing agent, the listing agent broker, the buyer’s agent, and the buyer’s agent broker.

Your listing agent isn’t actually making 5.44% off your West Virginia home sale. In the end, they’re only pocketing a quarter of that. 

Agents have to cover a lot of upfront and overhead costs out of their commissions. They need to make enough to cover all of these fees:

• Taxes: Real estate agents must pay a self-employment tax of 15.3% on all commission earned
• Association and MLS fees: $767.50–1,205 annually
• State license fees: $75 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 West Virginia?

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

You won’t get a commission discount just by asking — you have to give your agent a reason to cut you a deal. Here are some tips on negotiating a commission discount like a pro.

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 West Virginia, so you don’t have to. Find a West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia.

Other FAQs about West Virginia 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 13 agents across West Virginia. 

Sources

• Zillow – West Virginia Home Prices and Home Values
• Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data
• Internal Revenue Service
• Blue Ridge Association of Realtors
• West Virginia Real Estate Commission