{"id":130000,"date":"2026-04-06T03:43:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T07:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/?p=130000"},"modified":"2026-04-06T03:43:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T07:43:26","slug":"real-estate-commissions-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/real-estate-commissions-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Real Estate Commissions in California: Who Really Pays? \ud83e\udd14"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p id=\"typical-realtor-commission\">Imagine you sell your California home for <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/housing-market\/california\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$819,200<\/a> and save $40,771 in commissions. Sounds too good to be true? Well, it&#8217;s not! Thanks to the NAR Settlement, you can now choose to pay only half the agent commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"standard-realtor-fee\">This also means you have to pay real estate commissions whether you are a seller or a buyer. However, you can opt for the best <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/flat-fee-mls\/california\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flat Fee MLS California<\/a> company and avoid burdensome Realtor fees!<\/p>\n\n\n\t<div style=\"display: block ;\" class=\"home-page-quick-listing-wrapper  content-ql-new-ui \" main-title=\"List now and save more\ud83d\udcb0\" list-title=\"List on Your Local MLS\" list-item-1=\"Save thousands in commissions\" list-item-2=\"100% online platform\" list-item-3=\"5-star customer service\" ql-button=\"\" minimize=\"true\" sidebar=\"\" contact-title=\"\" contact-content=\"\" siteurl_qlb=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\" cash-ql=\"false\"><\/div>\n\t<script>\t\t\n\n\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function () {\n\t\t\tconst isMobile = window.screen.width <= 768;\n\n\t\t\t\/\/ Global flags to prevent multiple loads\n\t\t\twindow.quickListingCssLoaded = window.quickListingCssLoaded || false;\n\t\t\twindow.quickListingJsLoaded = window.quickListingJsLoaded || false;\n\n\t\t\tconst cssURL = 'https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/css\/quick-listing-block-v3.css?v=9.8';\n\t\t\tconst jsURL  = 'https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/js\/quick-listing-block-v3.js?v=9.8';\n\n\t\t\t\/\/ \u2705 Load CSS immediately on mobile only\n\t\t\tif (isMobile && !window.quickListingCssLoaded) {\n\t\t\t\twindow.quickListingCssLoaded = true;\n\t\t\t\tloadCSS(cssURL);\n\t\t\t}\n\n\t\t\t\/\/ \u2705 Define JS loader (and CSS for desktop)\n\t\t\twindow.quickListingJsLoadfn = function () {\n\t\t\t\tif (!window.quickListingJsLoaded) {\n\t\t\t\t\twindow.quickListingJsLoaded = true;\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ On desktop: load CSS here (lazy), since it wasn't loaded initially\n\t\t\t\t\tif (!isMobile && !window.quickListingCssLoaded) {\n\t\t\t\t\t\twindow.quickListingCssLoaded = true;\n\t\t\t\t\t\tloadCSS(cssURL);\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\n\t\t\t\t\tloadScript(jsURL);\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Remove listener after load\n\t\t\t\t\tdocument.removeEventListener(isMobile ? 'touchstart' : 'mousemove', window.quickListingJsLoadfn);\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t};\n\n\t\t\t\/\/ \u2705 Add the correct event listener\n\t\t\tconst quickListingEvents = isMobile ? ['touchstart'] : ['mousemove', 'scroll'];\n\n\t\t\tquickListingEvents.forEach((eventName) => {\n\t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(eventName, window.quickListingJsLoadfn, {\n\t\t\t\t\tpassive: true,\n\t\t\t\t\tonce: true,\n\t\t\t\t});\n\t\t\t});\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\/\/ \u2705 Helpers\n\t\t\tfunction loadCSS(href) {\n\t\t\t\tconst link = document.createElement('link');\n\t\t\t\tlink.rel = 'stylesheet';\n\t\t\t\tlink.href = href;\n\t\t\t\tdocument.head.appendChild(link);\n\t\t\t}\n\n\t\t\tfunction loadScript(src) {\n\t\t\t\tconst script = document.createElement('script');\n\t\t\t\tscript.src = src;\n\t\t\t\tscript.async = true;\n\t\t\t\tdocument.head.appendChild(script);\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t});\n\t<\/script>\n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-houzeo-takeaways-list takeawaysSec\"><p class=\"headKeySec\"><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS: <\/strong><\/p><ol class=\"listing\"><li><strong>Post-NAR Power Shift:<\/strong> The buyer&#8217;s agent commission is now in the hands of the seller. You can pay $0, negotiate, or offer it as a concession &#8211; the choice is yours.\ud83d\udcaa<\/li><li><strong>Negotiate Each Dollar:<\/strong> Never assume that the real estate commission in California is fixed! Your negotiating power impacts your profit.\ud83d\udcb2 <\/li><li><strong>Master Your Sale:<\/strong> Research the market, find local median home prices, and set the perfect asking price for a quick home sale.\ud83d\udca1<\/li><li><strong>Save With a California Flat Fee MLS Service:<\/strong> Your home gets listed on the MLS for a flat fee &#8211; that&#8217;s a fraction of the cost you&#8217;d pay to the Realtor.\u2696\ufe0f<\/li><\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"what-is-realtor-commission\"><strong>What Is Real Estate Commission?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"real-estate-commisions\">It is a percentage of your home&#8217;s sale price that you pay as Realtor fees. The <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/average-real-estate-agent-commission\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">average real estate commission<\/a> rates can reach 6%, but they&#8217;re open to negotiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"real-estate-agent-fees\">The listing agent and the buyer&#8217;s agent equally split the real estate agent&#8217;s fee in California. That is, you pay a 3% commission to each of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"average-real-estate-commission-california\"><strong>What&#8217;s the Average Real Estate Commission in California?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The average real estate commission in California typically ranges from 5% to 6%. So, for a house priced at $819,200, you would have to shell out around $49,152.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A real estate agent&#8217;s fee in the Golden State varies based on several factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul id=\"what-percentage-do-realtors-get\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Property type<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Market conditions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/what-is-fair-market-value-and-how-to-find-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fair Market Value<\/a> (FMV) of the home<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Agreement signed with the listing\/buyer agent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"real-estate-agent-fees-around-me\"><strong>Regional Real Estate Commissions in California<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" id=\"real-estate-commission-in-california\">Agent fees in California can vary depending on your location. <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/real-estate-commissions-in-fresno-ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Real estate commissions in Fresno<\/a>, Clovis, or Bakersfield might be low due to less competition among agents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\" id=\"real-estate-fees-california\">On the other hand, <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/real-estate-commissions-in-sacramento-ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">real estate agent fees in Sacramento<\/a>, Beverly Hills, or other affluent cities are higher because properties here require high-end staging and marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"who-pays-the-realtor-fees\"><strong>Who Pays the Realtor Fees in California?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"who-pays-realtor-fees-in-california\">As per the new real estate commission laws, it depends on how you negotiate. Here&#8217;s how Realtors in California are compensated now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"who-pays-the-realtor-fees-in-ca\"><strong>1. Listing Agent Fees: Who Pays?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"who-pays-agent-commission\">If you&#8217;re a home seller, you pay the listing agent commission. It&#8217;s generally 3% of your home&#8217;s selling price and is included in the <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/closing-costs-for-sellers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">closing costs for sellers<\/a>. Your listing agent and broker further divide this commission between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-houzeo-grey-text blue-box-content-list\">\ud83d\udca1 <strong>A Smart Move:<\/strong> You can negotiate the percentage you offer as commission. Check the reviews of your CA real estate agent and the services they offer before you finalize the commission rate.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"who-pays-buyer-agent-commission\"><strong>2. Buyer Agent Commission: Who Covers the Cost?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"who-pays-realtor-fees-buyer-or-seller\">Here are 3 ways the broker fee can be paid when buying a house:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol id=\"who-pays-the-broker-fee-when-buying-a-house\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sellers Cover the Buyer\u2019s Agent Commission:<\/strong> You can choose to pay the 6% real estate commission\u20143% to your listing agent and 3% to the buyer&#8217;s agent. However, you or your agent will have to personally contact the buyer&#8217;s agent to make this offer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Buyers Pay Their Own Agents:<\/strong> The buyer can choose to (or you can ask them to) compensate their agent. Buyers&#8217; agents typically require their clients to sign an agreement. It clearly states the commission amount that the buyer has to pay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sellers and Buyers Negotiate a Deal:<\/strong> In a buyer\u2019s market, buyers can bid higher and request you to offer a concession. The amount above the concessional rate goes to the buyer&#8217;s agent.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-houzeo-grey-text blue-box-content-list\">\ud83e\udd51 <strong>Quick Comparison:<\/strong> Imagine a brunch in LA\u2014you pay for the avocado toasts and the buyer pays for the bottomless mimosas. You both share what you order. That&#8217;s exactly how real estate commissions are split post the NAR Settlement.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"typical-realtor-percentage-new-rules-2024\"><strong>Do the New Rules Benefit Home Sellers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"new-realtor-commission-rules\">Yes! Post the <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/nar-settlement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NAR Settlement<\/a>, the new real estate commission rules favor home sellers in 3 interesting ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"buyer-commission-real-estate\"><strong>1. Negotiable Buyer&#8217;s Agent Commission<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"real-estate-buyers-commission\">You can now choose to offer the buyer&#8217;s agent commission. Moreover, you can negotiate the amount you&#8217;d like to offer. That&#8217;s like shopping and bargaining at a local market in Santa Monica! But, simply note that you can no longer advertise or offer it on the <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/what-is-mls-in-real-estate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MLS<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"how-do-you-pay-real-estate-agent\"><strong>2. Paperwork for More Transparency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"how-much-do-you-pay-real-estate-agent-when-selling-a-house\">Firstly, the commission is negotiated. Then, the amount is put on paper, and the parties sign it. Buyers and sellers both sign agreements with their respective agents. Remember, if it&#8217;s not on paper, it&#8217;s not happening\u2014just like Hollywood contracts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"who-pays-real-estate-agent\"><strong>3. Equal Responsibility of Sellers and Buyers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"are-buyers-paying-realtor-fees\">Buyers will have to directly compensate their agents or request you to do so. Either way, there will be more scope for you to cut your costs. It&#8217;s like having a date at In-N-Out\u2014you either pay for it all or you go Dutch!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"alternatives-to-real-estate-agent-fees\"><strong>How to Save on California Real Estate Commissions?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"realtor-fees-2025\">There are different ways to help you reduce the traditional commission for Realtors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"list-on-mls-without-realtor\"><strong>1. List for a Flat Rate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p> During your research on <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/how-to-list-on-mls-in-california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to list on the CA MLS without a Realtor<\/a>, you&#8217;ll come across Flat Fee MLS companies. They can get your home on the MLS within 48 hours without the 3% agent fee. That&#8217;s like having a Disneyland FastPass\u2014you get a smooth selling experience with VIP treatment! Simply remember to find the <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/best-flat-fee-mls-companies-in-california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">best Flat Fee MLS listing service in California<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udcb5<strong> Savings with Flat Fee:<\/strong> Calculate your <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/flat-fee-mls\/california\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">home savings in California<\/a> now. Don&#8217;t let hefty Realtor fees spoil your home-selling experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"fsbo\"><strong>2. Sell &#8216;FSBO<\/strong>&#8216;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can go for the <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/for-sale-by-owner-websites-california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">best FSBO websites in California<\/a> and sell your home without a Realtor. While you save on the agent commission, you will have to stage and market your home yourself. It is like a DIY project!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But here&#8217;s the easiest way to <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/sell-your-home-fsbo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sell FSBO<\/a>, you get licensed broker assistance to help you sell like a pro while saving thousands!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"discount-real-estate-brokers\"><strong>3. Choose a Discount Real Estate Broker<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can get all traditional Realtor services at discounted rates (1% to 1.5%) with <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/discount-real-estate-brokers-in-california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California&#8217;s discount real estate brokers<\/a>. Most of them offer full-service Realtor benefits, too. This is like finding a designer outfit at a fraction of the original price at a mall in Palm Springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"quick-link-text quick-link-text-style\">\ud83d\udc49 List Your Home Now and Save Thousands on Commissions <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-15\" id=\"cash-buyers\"><strong>4. Sell to an iBuyer or Cash Buyer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can get <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/get-a-cash-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cash offers for homes<\/a>, which are generally as high as 80% of your home&#8217;s FMV. That&#8217;s more like customers buying overripe avocados at half price. With cash home buyers, you can sell your home fast for cash in California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"how-do-real-estate-commissions-work\"><strong>What Should You Know Before Paying a Realtor&#8217;s Commission?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"new-real-estate-commission-laws\">From commission negotiation to knowledge of the services provided, you need to be an aware home seller. Here are some key tips to help you avoid common commission-related mistakes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol id=\"how-do-i-pay-my-real-estate-agent\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Negotiate the Commission:<\/strong> Don&#8217;t assume the 5% to 6% commission is final. You can ask for lower fees or explore discount brokers as well.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Higher Commission Doesn&#8217;t Mean a Faster Sale:<\/strong> An agent may not be able to find you the best deal simply because you&#8217;re giving them a hefty fee. You&#8217;ll also need to share your listing on social media platforms to get your home to stand out in the current <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/housing-market\/california\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California housing market<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Understand the Services Included:<\/strong> Some agents might offer fewer services for the same standard commission. Finalize your rate of commission after you clarify what their package includes (e.g., <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/what-is-home-staging-and-is-it-worth-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">home staging<\/a>, photography, marketing).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check Client Reviews:<\/strong> Don&#8217;t go for the agent charging the lowest commission, as it might lead to a cheaper or slower sale. Always check for their experience and client reviews.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider Offering the Buyer\u2019s Agent Commission:<\/strong> If you don\u2019t offer a buyer&#8217;s agent commission, it can limit your exposure to potential buyers. Some agents may be reluctant to show <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/homes-for-sale\/california\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California property listings<\/a> without compensation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Understand the Commission Split:<\/strong> If you offer a 6% commission, it is for the listing agent as well as the buyer\u2019s agent. It rarely happens that one agent gets the whole 6%.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"how-to-avoid-real-estate-commissions\"><strong>How to Avoid High Realtor Fees With Houzeo?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"avoid-standard-realtor-fees\">Houzeo helps you avoid paying high real estate commissions with its <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/flat-fee-mls\/california\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">flat fee listing plans<\/a>. Here&#8217;s how you can get started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" id=\"how-to-list-on-mls-for-flat-fee\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"840px\" height=\"450px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/steps-to-list-on-mls-with-houzeo-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Avoid heavy real estate commissions with Houzeo's flat fee listing service.\" class=\"wp-image-702249\" title=\"realtor low commission\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/steps-to-list-on-mls-with-houzeo-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/steps-to-list-on-mls-with-houzeo-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/steps-to-list-on-mls-with-houzeo-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/steps-to-list-on-mls-with-houzeo-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/steps-to-list-on-mls-with-houzeo.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">5 Easy Steps to List on MLS with Houzeo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"how-much-do-i-have-to-pay-real-estate-agent-with-Houzeo\"><strong>How Much Do You Pay With Houzeo?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine you sell your California home for $819,200. Here&#8217;s how much you can save with a For Sale By Owner listing service like <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Houzeo<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure id=\"commission-calculator-real-estate\" class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Service Provider<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Fee<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Commission Due<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Savings<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Listing + Buyer&#8217;s Agent Commission<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">6%<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$49,152<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Listing Agent Commission<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3%<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$24,576<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$24,576<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Houzeo&#8217;s Flat Fee<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$249<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">$8,441*<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>$40,711<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><sub>*Houzeo&#8217;s Gold Plan costs $249 + 1% at closing. Check <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/flat-fee-mls\/california\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Houzeo&#8217;s Flat Fee MLS listing plans<\/a> for details.<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-389f8795-367b-4c44-acf0-6c99e6d1115e\">\u27a1\ufe0f <a   href=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/housing-market\/california#buy-or-sell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Is It a Buyer\u2019s or Seller\u2019s Market in California<\/strong><\/a>? Check the latest housing market shifts in California and negotiate accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading margin-top-28\" id=\"save-on-realtor-fees-for-seller\"><strong>Why Pay More When You Don\u2019t Have To?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"buyer-broker-compensation\">You can navigate real estate commissions in California like you choose wine in Napa\u2014you can pay for the premium vineyard tours and expensive wine. But you can also visit the local markets to find a great bottle without a hefty price tag!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"typical-commercial-real-estate-commission\">With the new Realtor commission rules in place, it&#8217;s important to know how to negotiate real estate commissions. 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['touchstart'] : ['mousemove', 'scroll'];\n\n\t\t\tquickListingEvents.forEach((eventName) => {\n\t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(eventName, window.quickListingJsLoadfn, {\n\t\t\t\t\tpassive: true,\n\t\t\t\t\tonce: true,\n\t\t\t\t});\n\t\t\t});\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\/\/ \u2705 Helpers\n\t\t\tfunction loadCSS(href) {\n\t\t\t\tconst link = document.createElement('link');\n\t\t\t\tlink.rel = 'stylesheet';\n\t\t\t\tlink.href = href;\n\t\t\t\tdocument.head.appendChild(link);\n\t\t\t}\n\n\t\t\tfunction loadScript(src) {\n\t\t\t\tconst script = document.createElement('script');\n\t\t\t\tscript.src = src;\n\t\t\t\tscript.async = true;\n\t\t\t\tdocument.head.appendChild(script);\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t});\n\t<\/script>\n\t\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u00bb&nbsp;<a   href=\"https:\/\/www.realestatequeen.com\/houzeo-reviews\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Houzeo Reviews<\/a>:<\/strong> Find out what customers are saying about Houzeo &#8211; California&#8217;s best home selling website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"new-excerpt\"><p class=\"small-desc\">The average real estate commission in California varies between 3% and 6%. The new real estate commission rules now let buyers and sellers negotiate the buyers agent...<\/p><\/div><div class=\"reading_date\"><span class=\"readtime\">9 mins read<\/span><span class=\"date\">Apr 06, 2026<\/span><\/div>","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":707933,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46282,46226],"tags":[34977,27454,45842,45840,46446,45841,45843],"class_list":["post-130000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate-commissions","category-seller","tag-real-estate-agent-commission","tag-real-estate-commission","tag-real-estate-commission-california","tag-realestate-commission","tag-realtor-commission","tag-realtor-low-commission","tag-what-percentage-do-realtors-get"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Real Estate Commission in California: Who Really Pays? \ud83e\udd14<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The average real estate commission in California now vary between 3% and 6%. 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The new rules lets buyers and sellers split the Realtor fees.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/real-estate-commissions-in-california\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Houzeo Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-06T07:43:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-06T07:43:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Real-Estate-Commissions-in-California.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1620\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"870\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Bhagyesh Behere\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Bhagyesh Behere\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Real Estate Commission in California: Who Really Pays? \ud83e\udd14","description":"The average real estate commission in California now vary between 3% and 6%. 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