Consumers Can Save Thousands of Dollars in Commissions

Consumers who live in states permitting them the option to choose innovative brokerage options, such as rebates or fee-for-service MLS-only packages, can potentially save thousands of dollars on commission payments.

This table shows that consumers can save as much as $7,500 in commissions on the sale of a median-priced home.

Table: Brokerage Options and Potential Savings on Home Sold for $222,273

For more information

• For details on brokerage options available in your state, see Real Estate Laws in Your State.
• To learn more about rebates, see Rebates Make Buying a Home Less Expensive.
• To learn more about brokerage services and fee-for-service options, see Discount Brokers Can Make Selling a Home Less Costly.

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• All sales models assume a 50/50 commission split between seller's and buyer's broker.
• Full-service commission rate of 5.2% is based on REAL Trends 500©.
• For examples of 1% buyer’s broker rebate offers, see “A Fresh Attack on the 6% Commission,” Money, 04/11/2006.
• For examples of $500 MLS only fee-for-service offers, see “Discount Real-Estate Brokers Spark a War Over Commissions,” Wall Street Journal Online, 10/13/2005.
• Savings are relative to the total commission paid for the full-service option.
• Consumers who choose options other than full-service may not receive as many services as consumers who choose the full-service option.