Updated October 2026. The commission is only one line on a seller’s bill. This guide puts it next to every other cost of selling a house, on the national median price, so you can see your real bottom line. Figures from NAR, Redfin, the CFPB, the IRS and state revenue offices, read on October 27, 2026.
There’s no set commission for selling a house: as of October 2026, it’s whatever you agree to, and it’s fully negotiable. On NAR’s September 2026 median price of $417,500, a 2.5% listing-side example is $10,437.50. Add a buyer-agent offer near Redfin’s 2.42% average and you’re at about $20,541, before taxes, title and payoff.
Jump to: 💲 The full cost sheet · 🤝 The commission line · 🏠 Other costs · 🪜 Lowering the total · ❓ FAQ
Key takeaways
- Commissions are not set by law or NAR rules; the listing side and any buyer-agent offer are separate choices since August 17, 2024.
- Redfin measured the average buyer’s agent commission at 2.42% in the third quarter of 2025.
- Transfer taxes vary a lot by state: Florida charges $0.70 per $100 (about $2,923 on $417,500), while Indiana’s state-set charges are a $20 filing fee and $25 to record the deed.
- Commissions and other selling expenses reduce your taxable gain (IRS Publication 523).
If you only want the average commission rate and how it’s split, read our guide to the average commission for selling a house. Here, we add up the whole bill. For state-by-state examples, see real estate commission by state in 2026.
What does it cost to sell a house, line by line?
Here’s a sample cost sheet on the national median price. Your numbers will differ by state, price and what you agree to.
| Cost on a $417,500 sale | Example amount | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Listing-side commission, 2.5% example | $10,437.50 | You and your listing agent |
| Buyer-agent compensation, 2.42% example | About $10,104 | You, if you choose to offer it |
| Transfer tax (Florida example) | About $2,923 | State law; the contract says who pays |
| Title, settlement and recording | Varies by state and company | Local practice and the contract |
| Prorated property taxes and HOA dues | Varies | Your tax bill and closing date |
| Repairs or credits after inspection | Varies | Negotiated with the buyer |
| Mortgage payoff | Your balance | Your lender’s payoff letter |
The percentages are examples only. Commissions are not set by law or by NAR rules and are fully negotiable. Sellers choose whether to offer any buyer-agent compensation, and how much. Since August 17, 2024, such offers can’t be shown on the MLS.
The payoff isn’t a cost of selling, but it comes out of the same check. What’s left is your net. Our guide to how much closing costs are breaks down the title and settlement lines.
What is the typical commission for selling a house?
There isn’t one fixed number. Here’s what the public data says.
- The listing side is whatever you and your agent sign in the listing agreement.
- Redfin put the average buyer’s agent commission at 2.42% for homes sold in the third quarter of 2025, up from 2.36% a year earlier.
- The NAR settlement FAQs say compensation is not set by law and is fully negotiable.
What changed in 2024 is how it’s agreed. Before, the listing fee often included the buyer agent’s share. Now, sellers decide separately whether to offer anything to the buyer’s agent; here’s who pays real estate agent commission on each side of the deal. Buyers sign their own written agreement with their agent. The National Association of Realtors explains these practice changes in its consumer pages.
What the commission pays for matters too. A full-service agent prices the home, markets it, runs showings and negotiates. Ask for that list in writing before you sign. Our guides on what buyers and sellers should know about commission and how commission affects both sides go deeper.
What other costs do sellers pay?
Transfer taxes
Many states and some counties tax the deed. Florida’s Department of Revenue sets documentary stamp tax at 70 cents per $100 of price in every county except Miami-Dade. Some states have none at the state level. In Indiana, for example, the state-set charges are a $20 sales disclosure filing fee and $25 to record a deed.
Title and closing
The title company searches title, holds funds and records the deed. Who pays the owner’s title policy depends on local custom and the contract. Our guide to who pays closing costs when selling shows common splits.
Concessions and repairs
After the inspection, buyers often ask for repairs or a credit. NAR’s chief economist said in October 2026 that sellers may need “price discounts and other incentives” in some markets. Budget for it.
Taxes on the gain
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) treats sales commissions as selling expenses that lower the amount you realize (Publication 523). If you lived in the home two of the last five years, you may exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for most married couples filing jointly. See our guide on capital gains tax when selling a house.
Sell smarter
List your home on the MLS from $99
A flat fee instead of a percentage, and $0 to Beycome at closing. You stay in control of your sale.
Sell your home →Buy smarter
Get up to 2% back at closing
On homes listed by other agents, Beycome credits you up to 2% of the price at closing (1% kept, $1,499 minimum; not on FSBO homes or homes listed by Beycome sellers).
Buy a home →Check the final numbers
Buyers with a loan get a Closing Disclosure three business days before closing, as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains. Ask for your own settlement statement early and check every fee against your contract.
How can you lower the total cost of selling?
Start with the biggest lines. The commission is usually the largest you control.
| Option | Listing-side cost on $417,500 | What you handle |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service agent, 2.5% example | $10,437.50 | Decisions only |
| Beycome Concierge | $1,399, $0 at closing | Decisions; your expert negotiates |
| Beycome Enhanced | $399, $0 at closing | Showings and offers, with Artur AI |
| Beycome Basic | $99, $0 at closing | Showings and offers, with Artur AI |
| Pure FSBO, no MLS | $0 | Everything |
Each path is fair; it depends on how much you want to do. A flat-fee MLS listing puts your home where buyers’ agents search for a set price. Beycome internal data shows about 36% of Beycome sales closed in 2026 had a buyer with no agent, so you may not need to offer buyer-agent compensation at all. You can also try selling your home yourself with no MLS.
Other savings: price right the first time so you don’t sit and cut, fix small issues before the inspection, and compare title quotes. Our CMA calculator helps with the price. For more ideas, Bankrate research center publishes guides on home-selling costs.
Speed matters too, since every month adds a payment, taxes and insurance. See the average time to sell a house and how long it takes to sell a house today.
What does Beycome include for the flat fee?
With a Beycome home listing, you get the MLS, e-signature, unlimited listing updates, ShowingTime scheduling where the MLS offers it, and the Artur AI assistant, with $0 to Beycome at closing. Want a person to negotiate? Concierge gives you a dedicated expert, and you stay in control of every decision. Support runs 7 days a week, Artur AI 24/7. Over 22,000+ homeowners have used Beycome, saving over $225 million.
Frequently asked questions about the commission for selling a house
What is the typical commission for selling a house?
There’s no fixed rate; it’s negotiable and set in your listing agreement (our real estate commission percentage guide turns each rate into dollars). For the buyer side, Redfin measured an average buyer’s agent commission of 2.42% in the third quarter of 2025, which you may or may not choose to offer.
How much is commission on a $417,500 house?
A 2.5% example is $10,437.50 on the listing side. If you also offered 2.42% to a buyer’s agent, the total would be about $20,541. Both rates are examples only.
What other costs does a seller pay besides commission?
Transfer taxes where they apply, title and settlement fees, recording, prorated property taxes and HOA dues, and any repairs or credits you agree to. Your mortgage payoff also comes out of the proceeds.
Does the seller have to pay the buyer’s agent?
No. It’s your choice whether to offer buyer-agent compensation, and how much. Since August 17, 2024, those offers can’t be shown on the MLS.
Is real estate commission tax deductible?
Not as a deduction, but it’s a selling expense that lowers your gain on the sale, per IRS Publication 523.
How can I sell my house with less commission?
Negotiate the rate, choose a flat fee MLS listing, or sell by owner. Each one moves more of the work to you; pick the level of help you want.
Other resources you may be interested in
Prices as of October 2026 and subject to change. Concierge is $1,399. “$0 at closing” means no Beycome fee at closing; transfer taxes, title, recording, prorated taxes and any buyer-agent compensation you agree to still apply. Cost examples use NAR’s September 2026 national median price and example rates.
Basic and Enhanced get offer and negotiation help from the Artur AI assistant; a person negotiates on Concierge. Beycome is licensed in 18 states and DC and lists in 17 states and DC. General information, not legal or tax advice; rules vary by state and MLS.
Sources
- NAR, existing-home sales, September 2026, read October 27, 2026.
- NAR settlement FAQs.
- Redfin, average buyer’s agent commission, December 8, 2025.
- Florida Department of Revenue, documentary stamp tax.
- Indiana Code 6-1.1-5.5-4, sales disclosure filing fee.
- Indiana Code 36-2-7-10, county recorder fees.
- IRS Publication 523, Selling Your Home.
- CFPB, Closing Disclosure explainer.
- Beycome, listing package features, October 2026.
Disclosure & Disclaimer
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Articles are provided for general informational and educational purposes only, not as financial, tax, legal, or investment advice or a recommendation for your particular situation. Reading this blog does not create a brokerage, advisory, or other professional relationship.
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