Do real estate agents charge fees?
Most real estate agents earn money on the real estate deal instead of an hourly/salaried rate. This is usually a percentage of the sales price of the home. Although the exact percentage varies, and can be negotiable, a typical fee is 5% to 6% of the sale price of the home.
For example:
On a home that sells for $200,000, the real estate commissions of 5% would amount to $10,000. This amount would be split between both the sellers and buyers agents.
If you’re buying a home, you rarely have to pay any real estate agent commission and all you are responsible for the agent’s “administrative” fees (typically between $500 - $750). Generally, the seller pays the full commission for both the services of their listing agent and the buyer’s agent.