How commission works | Commission calculator | Best ways to save | Methodology
📊 The data:
We surveyed local agents and found that the average real estate commission in Riverside is 5.00%, which is less than the national average of 5.37%.
The average total real estate agent commission rate in Riverside is 5.00% of the final sale price. Based on the latest median home sale price in Riverside ($557,258), that translates to a total cost of roughly $27,863.
Home sellers typically cover the total commission fee from their sale proceeds, which is split between the listing and buyer’s agents who handle the sale. In Riverside, the average listing agent fee is 2.88%, while the average buyer’s agent fee is 2.13%.
Real estate agent commissions make up a significant portion of the closing costs for Riverside home sellers. But you don't have to pay the full 5.00% to a traditional agent. If you're selling a home in Riverside, you can use a discount broker to save on realtor fees. In fact, depending on your situation and the agents you work with, you could save 38% on realtor fees, or about $10,449 on average.
⚡ Find top agents and save: Answer these five simple questions to get matched with the best local agents offering reduced commission rates. Compare agents from top brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX, and get a discounted rate through Clever’s partner network.
How real estate commission works in Riverside
| Average listing commission | 2.88% |
| Average buyer's agent commission | 2.13% |
| Total average commission | 5.00% |
There are usually two real estate agents involved in the real estate transactions of a home sale:
- The seller's agent (also called the listing agent), who represents the home seller
- The buyer's agent, who represents the person buying the home
Based on our research, the average real estate commission paid in Riverside for listing agents is 2.88% of the final home price and 2.13% for buyer's agents, for a total of 5.00%.
» LEARN: How do real estate broker commissions work?
Real estate commission calculator for Riverside
Use this commission calculator to estimate how much you'll pay in realtor fees when you sell your home in Riverside. Enter an estimate of your home's sale price, and see how much you'll pay at different commission rates.
Who pays realtor fees in Riverside?
In California, when you sell your home, the commission fees for the buyer's and seller's real estate agents come directly from the final sale price. There's no need to worry about paying these fees upfront.
The seller's agent justifies their commission through services such as conducting market analysis and managing the closing process. Meanwhile, the buyer's agent earns their keep by finding a qualified buyer who agrees to the contract terms and completes the purchase on schedule.
Rest assured, these commissions won't be an out-of-pocket expense for you. Similar to closing costs, the real estate agent commissions are simply subtracted from the proceeds of the sale once the transaction finalizes.
Looking to cut down on realtor commission fees? Clever can pair you with a leading local listing agent who offers a competitive rate of just 1.5%. By doing so, you stand to retain a greater share of your home's selling price.
» SAVE: Sell with Clever for 1.5% listing fees and save thousands in commission!
Why do sellers pay the buyer's real estate agent commission?
Paying the buyer's agent commission can significantly boost interest in your property. By handling this expense, you make your home a more attractive option for buyers, who might otherwise struggle to cover their agent's commission on top of the down payment and closing costs. For many buyers, these additional costs can be prohibitive.
Offer a competitive rate to cover the buyer's agent fee, and you'll find that real estate agents have a stronger incentive to bring clients to your doorstep. This strategy can lead to a flurry of offers. Industry insiders suggest setting the buyer's agent commission around 0.5% below the local norm, which currently stands at 2.13% in California.
Will the NAR lawsuit change how real estate commission works?
A November 2023 lawsuit found the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Homeservices of America, and Keller Williams Realty guilty of misleading sellers into paying high realtor fees.
The judge agreed with the plaintiffs that sellers should not be on the hook for the buyer's agent commission. It's too early to tell if this decision will change how buyer's agents are paid. We're monitoring the appeal in this case as well as other lawsuits and will keep you updated.
» READ MORE:
How to save on realtor fees in Riverside
Commission rates are not set in stone. In fact, we found that while 2.88% is the average in Riverside, rates typically fall between 4.00% and 6.50%. You can save money by negotiating a lower rate with your listing agent or by working with a discount real estate brokerage.
| Listing commission range | 1.95%– 4.05% |
| Buyer's agent commission | 2.00%– 2.50% |
| Total commission range | 4.00%– 6.50% |
Can I negotiate realtor commission in Riverside?
Real estate commission is always negotiable. In California, the 58 agents we surveyed said these were their most common reasons for agreeing to lower their commission.
| Would you lower your commission for…? | Agents who answered yes |
|---|---|
| Homeowners who are repeat clients | 66% |
| Homeowners who also plan to buy with you | 66% |
| Homeowners with more than one property to sell | 64% |
| Seller’s situation (e.g. divorce or death in the family) | 50% |
| Higher property values | 43% |
| High competition for clients | 41% |
| Homes expected to sell quickly | 36% |
| High buyer demand in the area | 29% |
| Periods of low housing inventory | 22% |
| Houses in excellent condition | 19% |
| Highly experienced home sellers | 15% |
Negotiating realtor fees in Riverside depends on two main factors: your situation and the housing market.
| Factor | You may have an easier time negotiating low rates if... |
|---|---|
| Your situation |
|
| The Riverside housing market |
|
Your unique situation may vary, but the real estate dynamics in Riverside affect every seller in the region.
In a seller's market, where you hold more power, listing agents often find homes sell more quickly and might be more open to cutting their commission rates. Conversely, in a buyer's market, agents are less likely to budge on their fees.
Not comfortable negotiating with a realtor? Avoid the awkward conversation and let Clever pre-negotiate a lower rate with a top agent for you.
To evaluate your local real estate market, look at these three factors:
- Inventory Months
- Sales Price to List Price Ratio
- Home Value Trends
If the signs point to Riverside being a strong seller's market, you could have the upper hand in negotiating a lower commission. On the flip side, if the market leans towards buyers, convincing an agent to go lower on their fee might be a challenge.
The current state of the Riverside real estate market
| Factor | Trends | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Months of inventory | There's 1.7 months of housing inventory on the market | Seller's market |
| Sale-to-list ratio | Homes are selling for 92.82% of their listing price | Buyer's market |
| Home values | Home values have risen 42.67% year over year | Seller's market |
Low commission real estate companies in Riverside
Negotiating a lower rate with a professional negotiator can be hard! In many cases, home sellers can save just as much (or more!) by selling with a low commission real estate company.
Discount real estate brokers typically offer full-service support for a reduced commission percentage or flat rate. How they create those discounts will depend on the company's model, with some creating more risks and trade-offs than others.
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: For Riverside, CA homeowners aiming to cut down on commission costs without sacrificing quality real estate services, Clever stands out as our top pick.
✅ Benefits and features: Benefit from a substantial discount on realtor fees—up to 50% savings compared to traditional, non-discount agents. Plus, take advantage of Clever's acclaimed, no-commitment realtor matching service, which is offered at no extra charge.
🏠 How it works: Clever links you with premier local agents from renowned brokerages like RE/MAX and Compass. You have the liberty to evaluate your choices and select an agent that meets your needs, all while enjoying a special listing fee of just 1.5%—matching Redfin's rate, irrespective of the agent you choose.
Pros
- Engage with a full-service agent from a distinguished brokerage, avoiding the constraints often associated with discount agents.
- Reap the benefits of considerable fee reductions, with agents willing to slash their usual rates by up to 50% when partnering through Clever.
- Choose from a broad array of top-tier Riverside agents, offering the most extensive selection available.
Cons
- There's no assurance that you'll be able to partner with a particular agent or brokerage you may prefer.
- Additional services such as professional staging, drone photography, and 3D tours might incur extra charges (agents will detail what's included during their listing presentation).
Fee structure
- 1.5% listing fee ($3,000 minimum) at closing
- 2–3% buyer’s agent commission at closing
| Weighted avg. | 5.0 | 2,627 |
| Trustpilot | 5.0 | 2,402 |
| 4.8 | 225 |
Website: semya-moya.ru
Phone: 1-833-225-3837
Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. EST, 7 days a week
Address: 6358 Delmar Blvd, Suite 300, Saint Louis, MO 63130
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: For property sellers in Riverside seeking a balance between cost savings and quality service within the discount brokerage market, Redfin is a compelling choice.
✅ Benefits and features: Redfin offers a competitive edge with their 1.5% listing fee, which is lower than the traditional industry rates. An appealing incentive is the chance to save an additional 0.5% on listing fees if you both buy and sell with Redfin within a 12-month period. Their established reputation ensures access to a broader network of discount realtors than many smaller, local competitors.
🚩 Potential red flags: Redfin's innovative, tech-centric approach combines remote services with a team-based strategy, which may not resonate with those who prefer a traditional, individualized realtor partnership. In Riverside, Redfin imposes a minimum fee of $8,000. This means if your home's value is under $530,000, you will end up paying more than the standard 1.5% rate.
Pros
- Notable savings on listing fees
- Reputable brand with a solid selection of agents
- Tech-oriented methods might attract certain sellers
Cons
- Minimum fee is higher compared to other Riverside options
- High-volume, team-based service may not suit all preferences
- Narrower agent selection compared to Clever
Fee structure
- 1.5% listing fee ($8,000 min. in Riverside) at closing
- 2–3% buyer’s agent commission at closing
- 0.5% listing fee refund if you also buy with Redfin within 12 months
*Not enough available data at this time
Website: redfin.com
Phone: 1-844-759-7732
Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. CT, 7 days a week
Address: 2710 Media Center Dr, #210, Los Angeles, CA 90065
Areas served: Greater Los Angeles area
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: For those in Riverside, CA, looking to maximize their savings on real estate commissions without sacrificing comprehensive service, Trelora Realty is a standout choice.
✅ Benefits and features: Trelora Realty is celebrated for slashing traditional commission fees, a move that has resonated well with budget-savvy clients. Their unique team-based model pools together the expertise of multiple real estate professionals, aiming to elevate the overall quality and breadth of services provided to each client.
🚩 Potential red flags: Trelora sets itself apart by charging a low 1% commission fee, offering a cost-effective alternative to standard rates. Clients benefit from the collective knowledge of a dedicated team, which includes various specialists, to navigate the complexities of buying or selling a home.
Pros
- Enjoy substantial commission savings with Trelora's low 1% rate
- Earns high marks from clients for cost-effectiveness
- The team approach may be preferable for those who value a broad support network
Cons
- The team model may result in a less personalized experience
- Risk of communication issues due to the involvement of multiple team members
Fee structure
- 1% listing fee at closing
- 2–3% buyer's agent commission at closing
Website: trelora.com
Phone: 866-471-3440
Address: 2110 K St, Sacramento, CA 95816
Areas served: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington
» LEARN: How do discount real estate brokers offer lower fees?
Next steps
Thinking of selling your home but don't know where to start? Here are some next steps.
Start interviewing local agents
Set up some listing appointments, where an agent visits your home to discuss its estimated value, lay out their marketing strategy, and provide a quote for their fee.
Here's why it's smart to sit down with a few agents before signing with one:
It's completely free to meet with agents: There's no obligation or risk on your end. Just keep in mind that the agent is meeting with you to win your business, and will try to sell you on their service.
You can compare pricing and features: Shopping around helps you find the best fit for your specific needs – in terms of fees, experience, and services provided.
Learn more about your market from an expert: Realtors can provide local data, like how much nearby homes are selling for, how fast they sell, and other current market trends.
Learn about the home sales process: An agent can walk you through the sales process from start to finish, and provide tailored advice for marketing your property to home buyers.
To get started, check out our guide on the best ways to find real estate agents — or you can sign up for Clever’s free agent matching service below to connect with top realtors in your area right now (and save on commission).
Clever has pre-negotiated low commission rates of only 1.5%, with Riverside's top agents. Contact Clever today to find out how much you can save on commission!
Clever can connect you with top local agents sell your house for a pre-negotiated low rate: just a 1.5% listing fee when your home sells (half the typical rate!).
You can interview your Clever agent matches, get free pricing estimates, and compare marketing plans — all with no strings attached.
Ready to learn more? Click below to take our simple quiz and see your agent matches!
Methodology
We gathered our commission rate data from a survey of 623 of our partner agents. The survey asked about standard local rates for both listing and buying agents. We also asked agents about when and why they're willing to negotiate real estate commissions.
Additionally, we utilized the following data from Zillow and Realtor.com:
- Home values, list prices, and sale prices: Based on Zillow data as of August 2023
- Sale prices and sale-to-list ratios: Based on Redfin data as of February 2023 (unless specified otherwise)
- Months of inventory: Based on Realtor.com data as of February 2023
