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 Washington, D.C. is 4.96%, which is less than the national average of 5.37%.
The average total real estate agent commission rate in Washington, D.C. is 4.96% of the final sale price. Based on the latest median home sale price in Washington, D.C. ($541,225), that translates to a total cost of roughly $26,845.
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 Washington, D.C., the average listing agent fee is 2.47%, while the average buyer’s agent fee is 2.49%.
Real estate agent commissions make up a significant portion of the closing costs for Washington, D.C. home sellers. But you don't have to pay the full 4.96% to a traditional agent. If you're selling a home in Washington, D.C., 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 30% on realtor fees, or about $7,956 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 Washington, D.C.
| Average listing commission | 2.47% |
| Average buyer's agent commission | 2.49% |
| Total average commission | 4.96% |
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 Washington, D.C. for listing agents is 2.47% of the final home price and 2.49% for buyer's agents, for a total of 4.96%.
» LEARN: How do real estate broker commissions work?
Real estate commission calculator for Washington, D.C.
Use this commission calculator to estimate how much you'll pay in realtor fees when you sell your home in Washington, D.C.. 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 Washington, D.C.?
In Washington, D.C., 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. On the other side, the buyer's agent earns their commission by finding a qualified buyer who agrees to the contract terms and successfully closes the deal on time.
Rest assured, these commissions won't be an out-of-pocket expense for you. Similar to closing costs, the real estate agent commissions come out of the sale proceeds once the transaction is complete.
Looking to cut down on realtor commission fees? Clever can link you up with a leading listing agent in your area who offers a competitive rate of just 1.5%. By choosing this route, you'll retain more of your home's sale price for yourself.
» 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?
By offering to cover the buyer's agent commission, you can significantly boost the appeal of your home to prospective buyers. Absorbing this cost removes a financial hurdle for buyers, who would otherwise need to pay their agent's commission on top of the down payment and closing costs—a stretch for many budgets.
A competitive offer to pay the buyer's agent commission also incentivizes real estate agents to bring clients to your doorstep. This strategy can lead to a flurry of interest and potentially multiple offers on your property. For best results, real estate professionals suggest setting the buyer's agent commission around 0.5% below the local average, which stands at 2.49% in Washington, D.C..
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 Washington, D.C.
Commission rates are not set in stone. In fact, we found that while 2.47% is the average in Washington, D.C., rates typically fall between 4.34% and 5.57%. 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 | 2.16%– 2.77% |
| Buyer's agent commission | 2.18%– 2.80% |
| Total commission range | 4.34%– 5.57% |
Can I negotiate realtor commission in Washington, D.C.?
Real estate commission is always negotiable. Nationwide, the 627 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 also plan to buy with you | 72% |
| Homeowners who are repeat clients | 70% |
| Homeowners with more than one property to sell | 67% |
| Seller’s situation (e.g. divorce or death in the family) | 48% |
| Higher property values | 47% |
| High competition for clients | 37% |
| Homes expected to sell quickly | 37% |
| Periods of low housing inventory | 23% |
| High buyer demand in the area | 22% |
| Houses in excellent condition | 19% |
| Highly experienced home sellers | 13% |
Negotiating realtor fees in Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. housing market |
|
Every seller in Washington, D.C. will experience unique challenges, but the real estate climate in your area impacts all local transactions.
In a seller's market, where you have the upper hand over buyers, agents often find it easier to move properties quickly and may be more willing to discuss reduced commission rates. On the flip side, in a buyer's market, agents typically stick to their standard charges.
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 understand the vitality of your housing market, pay attention to these essential metrics:
- Months of inventory
- Sale to list price ratio
- Home value trends
Should these elements suggest that Washington, D.C. is leaning towards a seller's market, you've got better leverage to work out a lower commission with your agent. However, if the market is sending mixed signals or leaning in favor of buyers, convincing your realtor to take a cut on their fee might be more challenging.
The current state of the Washington, D.C. real estate market
| Factor | Trends | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Months of inventory | There's 1.8 months of housing inventory on the market | Seller's market |
| Sale-to-list ratio | Homes are selling for 90.06% of their listing price | Buyer's market |
| Home values | Home values have risen 22.60% year over year | Seller's market |
Low commission real estate companies in Washington, D.C.
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 Washington, D.C. residents looking to economize on realtor commissions without sacrificing expert guidance, Clever emerges as a top contender.
✅ Benefits and features: Experience significant savings with Clever, slashing rates by as much as 50% compared to standard realtor fees. Their esteemed matching service comes at no cost, is free from any obligations, and holds a strong reputation in the marketplace.
🏠 How it works: Clever links you with premier local real estate agents from renowned brokerages like RE/MAX and Compass. This gives you the liberty to choose an agent that aligns with your specific needs while taking advantage of a competitive 1.5% listing fee—matching Redfin's rate, irrespective of your agent selection.
Pros
- Engage with a traditional agent from a distinguished brokerage, bypassing lesser-known discount agents
- Agents reduce their standard rates by up to 50% when you connect through Clever
- Unmatched variety of agents—access an extensive array of esteemed Washington, D.C. real estate experts
Cons
- No assurance of securing your preferred agent or brokerage
- Extra offerings such as professional staging, drone photography, and immersive 3D tours may come with additional costs (agents will clarify what's included in their listing pitch)
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: 6 a.m.–6 p.m. MST, 7 days a week
Address: 6358 Delmar Blvd, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63130
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: Redfin presents a fairly attractive option for Washington, D.C. home sellers looking to economize on real estate services without sacrificing quality.
✅ Benefits and features: With a listing fee of just 1.5%, Redfin stands out for its potential cost savings. Plus, there's an opportunity to save an additional 0.5% on the listing fee if you both sell your current home and purchase your next one through Redfin within a year. As a well-known entity in the discount real estate market, Redfin offers a broader selection of agents compared to other local services.
🚩 Potential red flags: Redfin's model, which leans heavily on technology and involves a team-based service structure, may not align with every seller's preferences. The process is largely conducted online, and while you'll have a primary agent, much of the work is handled by a support team. Redfin also has a minimum $6,500 commission fee in Washington, D.C. So if your home sells for below $430,000, you’ll pay slightly more than the advertised 1.5% rate.
Pros
- Notable savings on listing fees
- Reputable brand with a wider choice of agents
- A tech-centric service that could be attractive to certain sellers
Cons
- Minimum commission fee is higher than other local alternatives
- The high-volume, team-based service model might not suit all sellers
- Fewer agent options compared to Clever's offerings
Fee structure
- 1.5% listing fee ($6,500 min. in Washington, D.C.) 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. MST, 7 days a week
Address: 2001 S St NW, Ste 250, Washington, DC 20009
Areas served: District of Columbia
» 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 Washington, D.C.'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
