How Does the Commission Split Work for Real Estate Agents? (2024)

Real estate can be a lucrative career, which is likely one of the reasons you pursued it in the first place. But how much money can you expect to make as a real estate agent? Well, that depends on several factors, including the commission split.

Here's everything you need to know about commission splits and how they affect your earnings.

How Does the Commission Split Work for Real Estate Agents? (1)How Real Estate Commission Splits Work

In most cases, commission is around 6% of the sale price and is split four ways when a house sells. The first split is between the listing and buyer's agents' brokerages. Then, those commissions are split an even 50/50 or 60/40 between the broker and real estate agent. To see this in action, let's say a house sells for an average of $298,933 with an average 6% commission rate and an even 50/50 commission split.

The total commission would be $17,936 (6%), so each brokerage would split that and get $8,968 (3%). That amount would then be split between the brokers and agents, leaving each agent with $4,484 (1.5%).

Who Pays the Commission?

It's standard practice that the seller pays for the commission — even for the buyer's agent. However, because the selling party usually factors in the commission when pricing a property, the buyer technically ends up paying for it.

Who Determines the Commission Split?

Ultimately, the brokerage determines how the commission will be split, but this can usually be negotiated. In most cases, the split is an equal 50/50, but 60/40 and 70/30 splits can also occur. It will depend on factors like the size of the brokerage firm and your real estate experience.

As a real estate agent choosing a brokerage to work under, it's important to consider the commission split offered along with other factors such as the level of mentorship, leads provided, education, and the all-around level of support you'll receive.

How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make?

The average annual salary for a U.S. real estate agent falls around $93,304, although it can vary quite a bit.

The brokerage you choose to work with, your location, the type of properties you sell, and the amount of effort you put towards your real estate career will all impact your income.

For example, a waterfront home on Lake Michigan will sell for more than a traditional home in Indiana, resulting in a larger commission. If you put in the effort and continue to learn, you can surely become one of the higher-earning real estate agents.

Start Your Career in Real Estate!

Now that you know how the commission split works for real estate agents and have an idea of how much you can make, it's time to start your new career! If you haven't completed your real estate courses yet, there's no better place to do so than online.

At Aceable Real Estate School, our 100% online courses are state-approved and completely self-paced, making them a very convenient way to learn, no matter your schedule. We offer interactive games, a comprehensive study guide, and practice tests. The best part? If you don't pass the exam in three attempts, we'll give you a complete refund.

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How Does the Commission Split Work for Real Estate Agents? (2024)

FAQs

How Does the Commission Split Work for Real Estate Agents? ›

Ultimately, the brokerage determines how the commission will be split, but this can usually be negotiated. In most cases, the split is an equal 50/50, but 60/40 and 70/30 splits can also occur. It will depend on factors like the size of the brokerage firm and your real estate experience.

How to calculate commission split in real estate? ›

Real estate commission is usually calculated as a percentage of the home's selling price, with the seller's agent and the buyer's agent each receiving half of the agreed-upon rate. The commission is then further divided between the agents and their brokers.

How does commission split work? ›

Typical commission splits include 50/50, where the broker and real estate agent receive equal sums of money from a commission split, but they can also use the 60/40 or 70/30 split options. In these situations, the real estate agents get a larger sum of the money than the brokers.

What does 80/20 split mean in real estate? ›

For example, if the commission split is 80/20 and the total commission from an agent's sale is $10,000, then $8,000 would go to the agent and $2,000 would go to the brokerage.

How do you calculate a 70 30 commission split? ›

To use the formula: Multiply the Total Commission (T) by the Rate of the Split (R): For the person receiving 70% (0.7), you would calculate their portion by multiplying T * 0.7. For the person receiving 30% (0.3), you would calculate their portion by multiplying T * 0.3.

What is the formula for commission? ›

It can be calculated with the following equation: commission = total sales revenue * commission rate. So if a salesperson sells a total of $2,000 of product and receives 5% in commission, they make $100.

How do you calculate agent commission? ›

To estimate commission, simply multiply the percentage by the purchase price of the property. Remember to convert percentage to decimal first by dividing it by 100.

What is the most common commission split in real estate? ›

In most cases, the split is an equal 50/50, but 60/40 and 70/30 splits can also occur. It will depend on factors like the size of the brokerage firm and your real estate experience.

How do you divide sales commission? ›

In most cases, the amount (credit) to split across individuals is the same. For example, you could decide to split each sales transaction's revenue between 2 reps (ex: based on their salaries). Or you could decide that each rep should be credited with each transaction's full revenue.

How is the broker's commission usually paid out? ›

As stated earlier, the seller typically pays the agents' commission. However, the seller doesn't pay this directly to the agents. The escrow or settlement company that is overseeing the closing distributes payment, including the commission checks to each broker at closing.

What is the 50% rule in real estate? ›

The 50% rule or 50 rule in real estate says that half of the gross income generated by a rental property should be allocated to operating expenses when determining profitability. The rule is designed to help investors avoid the mistake of underestimating expenses and overestimating profits.

What is Keller Williams commission split? ›

By Clever Real Estate Updated February 2, 2023. With the Keller Williams commission split, agents keep 64% of their gross commission for themselves. Of the remainder, 30% goes to the broker, and 6% goes to Keller Williams Realty as a franchise fee.

How do you split a real estate deal? ›

Real Estate Partnership Splits

If there are two partners, this would mean splitting the equity 50/50, if there are four partners, each would receive 25%.

What fee do most realtors charge? ›

What percent commission do most real estate agents charge? The typical commission under the current model has been somewhere between 5 and 6 percent of a home's purchase price, which is then split evenly between the agent representing the buyer and the agent representing the seller.

How to negotiate commission split? ›

How to Ask for a Higher Commission Split
  1. Consider the value you're getting. Sherri says that agents often focus too much on the commission split alone. ...
  2. Don't be demanding. You want to have a conversation about your commission compensation plan without being demanding, Sherri says. ...
  3. Know where you're headed.
Jun 21, 2020

What does 100% commission split mean? ›

100% commision real estate is a name for a low cost real estate brokerage model for agents. Instead of the traditional percentage fee of a real estate agent's commission paid to the broker, also known as a commission split, a nominal flat fee or annual fee is paid instead.

How does 60/40 commission work? ›

For example, a 60/40 pay mix would be a 60/40 base to commission split, which means that 60% of OTE compensation is fixed base salary, and 40% of OTE compensation is Target Incentive (TI), or variable pay.

What percentage do most brokers take from agents? ›

A common commission split gives 60% to the agent and 40% to the broker, but the split could be 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, or whatever ratio is agreed by the agent and the broker. It is common for more experienced and top-producing agents to receive a larger percentage of the commission.

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