Published
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Edited by Kristy Snyder
Written by Jon Stubbs
Edited by Kristy Snyder
Why trust us: Our data is based on a survey of 650 real estate agents and brokers across the U.S. Learn how we researched.
In this guide: Realtor fees in WI | How WI agents set rates | How to save on commission in WI | FAQ | Research methodology
The average total real estate commission in Wisconsin is 5.67%, which includes a 3.12% listing commission and a 2.55% buyer’s agent commission. In Wisconsin, sellers usually pay for both agents’ commissions at closing with the proceeds of the sale.
That means you’d pay $14,892 in total commission when selling a home with the average Wisconsin list price of $262,652.
What you’ll actually pay in commission will vary considerably based on your region or neighborhood. Your final commission is also affected by your home’s condition and the agent or brokerage you use.
This guide breaks down what you can expect to pay in commission when selling a home in Wisconsin. We’ll also explain why Wisconsin commission rates are what they are (and give you some tips on how to save).
Wisconsin real estate commission: How much will you pay?
Here’s what you can expect to pay in commission based on the average Wisconsin home price of $262,652.
| Average rate | Cost | |
| Listing agent commission | 3.12% | $8,195 |
| Buyer’s agent commission | 2.55% | $6,698 |
| Total realtor fees | 5.67% | $14,892 |
Is that more commission than you were expecting?
Fortunately, there are ways to save thousands on real estate commissions in Wisconsin. Clever Real Estate’s free service matches you with top-producing local agents — from trusted brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX — who have agreed to cut their typical rates by 50%.
How much is real estate commission in Wisconsin?
On average, sellers will pay 5.67% in total realtor fees in Wisconsin, compared to the national average of 5.37%.
Agent commission can vary from one region in Wisconsin to another. For example, the average commission in Milwaukee and its suburbs may be higher or lower than what an agent charges in rural northern Wisconsin.
To find the best commission rate for your home sale, do a bit of comparison shopping among local realtors. Even within your local area, realtors may charge different rates for different levels of service.
For example, an agent who plans to implement an intensive marketing campaign might have a higher rate than another agent who uses minimal marketing aside from the MLS listing.
Commissions change along with trends in the local real estate market. In Wisconsin, home prices have continued to climb, ending up 7.9% higher in late 2022 compared to a year before. The number of homes sold, however, has dropped by 33.7% over the same period.
Even though realtors are earning more through higher home prices, they may be hesitant to significantly lower their commissions because they expect to sell fewer homes in 2023 than they have in previous years.
Remember: Realtor fees aren’t the only costs of selling a home. You also need to factor in the cost of repairs, your mortgage payoff amount, and closing costs.
Learn what expenses to budget for and estimate how much it’ll cost to sell your house in Wisconsin.
How real Wisconsin agents and brokers set commission rates
Agents typically have a little wiggle room built into their commission rates. They’ll set commission based on what competing agents in the area are charging and how much work they estimate will be involved in the sale.
The total commission is typically split four ways. The listing agent and the buyer’s agent take their agreed upon fees, then each of them split that commission with their broker. So while the total agent commission may seem like a lot of money, each party takes only a small share.
Another reason realtor fees are expensive is because agents have lots of overhead costs. In Wisconsin, these 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: $45–200 monthly
- State license fees: $60 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
Finally, selling a house takes expertise and a lot of work. If it was easy, everyone would do it on their own.
How can I save on realtor fees in Wisconsin?
There are ways to pay less in commission when selling your home. But you’ll have to take a non-traditional approach:
- 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
Before negotiating with a real estate agent, consider how difficult your home is going to be to sell. If it’s in an up-and-coming neighborhood where homes are selling quickly, you can argue that it’ll take minimal time and effort to sell your home.
On the other hand, if you’re selling a home in a rural area that appeals to only a select group of people, your agent is going to have to work harder and will expect appropriate compensation.
Ways to negotiate lower realtor fees
- Offer to do some of the work yourself. If you’d rather take your own photos and stage the home yourself, your realtor might agree to lower their commission.
- Buy and sell with the same realtor.If your agent is earning both listing and buyer’s agent commission, they may be more likely to reduce the listing fee.
- Ask about reducing commission for fewer services. If you don’t think you need a robust marketing plan, ask about skipping advertising in exchange for a lower fee.
Negotiating can be awkward and uncomfortable for some people. If you’d rather have help finding a lower commission, you can find an agent through Clever Real Estate. They’ve already pre-negotiated a 1.5% listing fee with experienced agents in Wisconsin, so you don’t have to. Find a Wisconsin agent for less.
Work with a discount real estate broker
Some brokerages advertise discounted commission rates, but not all of them provide the same level of service. Before signing a contract with a discount brokerage, make sure you understand exactly 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 $9,000 on your listing fee without sacrificing service, Clever Real Estate is your best option.
Sell without a realtor
The surest way to spend zero on listing commission is to sell the home without a realtor. However, we don’t recommend this option for most Wisconsin sellers.
You won’t pay a listing commission, but you’ll have to do all of the work yourself, which can take up a lot of your time and energy. Also, you’ll still need to offer a competitive buyer’s agent commission to entice other agents to bring their clients to see your home.
Learn more about how to sell a house without a realtor in Wisconsin.
Other FAQs about Wisconsin real estate commissions
Who pays real estate commission in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, the seller usually pays the commission of both the listing agent and the buyer's agent. These fees are typically paid out of the home sale proceeds at closing. Learn more about how real estate commission works in Wisconsin.
How much commission does a realtor make in Wisconsin?
On average, a Wisconsin listing agent makes 3.12% in commission, while a buyer's agent receives a commission of 2.55%. These fees are then split with the agents' brokers. Learn more about how real estate commission works in Wisconsin.
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 Wisconsin.
Sources
- Redfin Wisconsin Housing Market Data
- Clever Real Estate Commission Survey Data
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
- Internal Revenue Service
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