What to Know About Realtor Fees in Florida

Updated 2nd October 2026

When you sell a home in Central Florida, the agents' commission is usually the largest closing cost. Realtor fees in Florida have long run between 5% and 6% of the sale price. The NAR settlement changed who pays each agent and how that pay is agreed.

Commissions were always negotiable, but the buyer's agent fee is now settled separately from the listing. Buyers and sellers now set these terms in writing, whether they are buying or selling a home in Central Florida.

What Are Realtor Fees in Florida?

A realtor fee is the commission paid to the agents who handle a home sale. It is a percentage of the final price and comes out of the proceeds at closing. For decades, the seller paid the full amount, and the listing agent and buyer's agent split it.

That fee pays for the work that takes a home from listing to closing.

• Professional marketing, including photos, virtual tours, and listings across multiple platforms

• Scheduling and hosting showings for serious buyers

• Negotiating price, repairs, and contract terms

• Managing paperwork, inspections, and closing coordination

What Is the Average Real Estate Commission?

Most agents still earn between 2% and 3% on each side of a sale. Combined, the total on a typical home sale lands between 5% and 6%, and Florida commissions fall in the same range. The buyer's side averaged 2.42% in late 2025.

No law sets a standard rate, and every figure is negotiable. At common sale prices, those percentages work out as follows.

Rates have changed little since the settlement. About two-thirds of agents reported no significant change in their commission levels in an early 2026 survey covered by Inman. Sale price also affects the rate. In late 2025, buyer's agents averaged 2.52% on homes under $500,000 and 2.22% on homes over $1 million. A starter home may carry a slightly higher rate than a luxury home. The total dollar amount still rises with the sale price.

How Much Commission Realtors Make on a Florida Sale

The commission on a sale does not all go to the agent. On a $450,000 sale at 6%, the total commission comes to $27,000. Split evenly, each side's brokerage receives $13,500. The agent then keeps the share set in their brokerage agreement, and splits of 70/30 or 80/20 are common. On a 70/30 split, the agent takes home $9,450 before paying for marketing, licensing, and travel.

The New Real Estate Commission Rules

In March 2024, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed to a $418 million settlement in Burnett v. NAR. The case claimed NAR and major brokerages kept rules in place that pushed commissions higher. The new rules took effect on August 17, 2024, and remain in effect.

• No buyer-agent pay on the MLS. Listing agents can no longer advertise buyer-agent compensation there. Stellar MLS, the main MLS for Central Florida, fines agents $500 for a first violation and up to $15,000 for repeat violations.

• Written buyer agreements come first. Buyers who tour homes with an agent must first sign a written agreement with that agent. It must state a specific fee, and the agent cannot collect more than that amount from any source.

• Buyer-agent pay is no longer built in. Sellers were never legally required to pay the buyer's agent, but it used to be the default. It is now a separate choice.

• Seller credits are still allowed. Listing brokers can still offer buyer-agent pay outside the MLS with the seller's written approval. Sellers can also offer closing credits instead.

Read: How New Real Estate Commissions Work

Who Pays Realtor Fees in Florida?

In most Florida sales, the seller still pays both agents from the proceeds at closing. The difference is that paying the buyer's agent is now something the seller chooses to offer, usually to attract more buyers. When a seller declines, the buyer pays their agent under the agreement they signed. Builders usually include buyer-agent pay in the price, so realtor commission on new construction rarely costs the buyer extra.

Do Buyers Pay Realtor Fees in Florida?

Buyers pay their own agent when the seller does not offer to cover that fee. The amount is set in the written agreement a buyer signs before touring homes, and it typically runs 2% to 3% of the price. A buyer can also ask the seller to cover that fee as part of the offer.

The new rules give buyers a few advantages.

• They know exactly what they will pay their agent before the first showing.

• They can compare agents on price and service before signing.

• Some agents offer tiered or à la carte services for buyers who need less help.

They also bring a few challenges.

• If the seller offers nothing toward the fee, the buyer may need to pay it in cash at closing, and it cannot always be rolled into the mortgage.

• Buyer-agent pay varies from one listing to the next, which makes homes harder to compare on total cost.

• Buyers who skip representation to save the fee negotiate without anyone on their side.

What Sellers Pay Under the New Rules

Sellers still pay their own listing agent. Whether to also cover the buyer's agent is now their decision, and it shapes both their proceeds and the offers they receive.

Leaving that fee to the buyer has some benefits for sellers.

• The seller keeps more of the proceeds or can price the home more competitively.

• The seller can offer a closing credit or other concession instead of a fixed commission.

It also carries some risks.

• Buyers paying their own agent have less cash for the home itself, which can mean lower offers.

• Fewer buyers may be able to afford the home, especially at entry-level prices.

• Some sellers end up covering part of the buyer's agent fee to keep a deal moving.

A net proceeds estimate shows what each option leaves the seller after closing.

How to Negotiate Realtor Fees and Protect Your Interests

Every commission is set by agreement, and the following steps help buyers and sellers secure fair terms.

1. Ask what the fee covers. Compare marketing, staging advice, and negotiation support at each price level before you sign.

2. Read the agreement's length and terms. Check how long it lasts, when you can end it, and what you owe if you buy or sell without that agent.

3. Settle buyer-agent pay in the contract. Whatever the buyer and seller agree on, from full coverage to a closing credit, belongs in the purchase contract.

4. Get a second opinion on unfamiliar terms. A real estate attorney or your broker can review anything in a listing or buyer agreement that is not clear.\

Read more: 4 Ways To Negotiate on A New Construction Home 

The Value of an Experienced Central Florida Agent

A commission pays for judgment as much as effort. Pricing a home well and reading an offer both take years of closed deals. That experience shows up in a list price that draws offers and a contract that holds together through closing. The new rules make that skill easier to judge, since every fee is written down and can be discussed before signing.

Florida Realty Marketplace works only with seasoned Central Florida real estate professionals who know the local market and its fee practices. For more than 14 years, our team has helped buyers and sellers across the Disney-area market, from Davenport, Kissimmee, Orlando to Clermont and many more. Many of our clients are selling a vacation home, buying new construction, or managing a sale from out of state or overseas. Whatever your situation, you will know every fee before you sign and have an agent looking out for you from listing to closing.

Work With Florida Realty Marketplace

You do not have to sort through commission terms on your own. Our agents will review a listing or buyer agreement with you and explain each fee in plain terms before you commit. Sellers can start with our Home Seller's Guide and request a free, no-obligation home evaluation. To talk through your sale or purchase, contact us or call (863) 877-1915 to speak with a Florida Realty Marketplace agent.

Common Questions About Realtor Fees in Florida

Do Realtors Still Charge 6%?

Some do, and a 6% total usually means 3% to each side. Most Florida commissions now land between 5% and 6%, set in each client's signed agreement.

What Other Costs Do Florida Sellers Pay?

Sellers usually pay the documentary stamp tax on the deed, which is 70 cents per $100 of the price in most counties. In many Central Florida counties, sellers also pay for the buyer's owner's title insurance policy.

Can You Sell a Home in Florida Without Paying Commission?

Yes. Florida allows owners to sell without a listing agent, which removes the listing side of the commission. Most buyers still work with an agent who expects to be paid. Owners selling alone also take on pricing, marketing, and contract work themselves.

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