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 Virginia is 5.22%, which is less than the national average of 5.37%.
The average total real estate agent commission rate in Virginia is 5.22% of the final sale price. Based on the latest median home sale price in Virginia ($371,545), that translates to a total cost of roughly $19,395.
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 Virginia, the average listing agent fee is 2.56%, while the average buyer’s agent fee is 2.66%.
Real estate agent commissions make up a significant portion of the closing costs for Virginia home sellers. But you don't have to pay the full 5.22% to a traditional agent. If you're selling a home in Virginia, 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 $5,796 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 Virginia
| Average listing commission | 2.56% |
| Average buyer's agent commission | 2.66% |
| Total average commission | 5.22% |
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 Virginia for listing agents is 2.56% of the final home price and 2.66% for buyer's agents, for a total of 5.22%.
» LEARN: How do real estate broker commissions work?
Real estate commission calculator for Virginia
Use this commission calculator to estimate how much you'll pay in realtor fees when you sell your home in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
When selling a home in Virginia, the sales commissions for both the seller's and buyer's agents are deducted from the final sale price. These fees do not need to be paid upfront.
The seller's agent earns their commission by providing services like market analysis and handling the closing process. The buyer's agent makes their commission by bringing a qualified buyer who meets the purchase terms and closes on time.
The seller does not pay these commissions out of pocket. Like closing costs, the agents' fees are subtracted from the sale proceeds once the sale is completed.
If you want to reduce your realtor fees, Clever can connect you with a top local listing agent charging just 1.5% commission. This will allow you to retain more of the sale proceeds 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?
Offering to cover the buyer's agent commission may attract more potential buyers to your listing.
Paying this fee makes your home more appealing to buyers, since they won't have to pay their agent's commission upfront on top of the down payment and closing costs—something many buyers can't afford.
When you make a competitive offer on the buyer's agent commission, real estate agents become more motivated to showcase your property to their clients. This can increase your odds of getting multiple offers. Experts recommend advertising a buyer's agent commission within 0.5% of the local norm, which is 2.66% in Virginia.
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 Virginia
Commission rates are not set in stone. In fact, we found that while 2.56% is the average in Virginia, rates typically fall between 4.62% and 5.83%. 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 | 2.26%– 2.87% |
| Buyer's agent commission | 2.36%– 2.96% |
| Total commission range | 4.62%– 5.83% |
Can I negotiate realtor commission in Virginia?
Real estate commission is always negotiable. In Virginia, the 38 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 with more than one property to sell | 76% |
| Homeowners who also plan to buy with you | 76% |
| Homeowners who are repeat clients | 74% |
| Seller’s situation (e.g. divorce or death in the family) | 61% |
| Higher property values | 50% |
| High competition for clients | 47% |
| Homes expected to sell quickly | 37% |
| Houses in excellent condition | 29% |
| Periods of low housing inventory | 26% |
| High buyer demand in the area | 24% |
| Highly experienced home sellers | 8% |
Negotiating realtor fees in Virginia 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 Virginia housing market |
|
While your personal circumstances may differ, the real estate climate in Virginia impacts all homeowners looking to sell in the area.
Typically in a seller's market, where sellers wield more leverage than buyers, listing agents have an easier job so they may be more open to reducing their commissions. The opposite tends to happen in a buyer's market.
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 the current state of your local real estate market, examine these three factors:
- Inventory Months
- Sales Price to List Price Ratio
- Home Value Trends
If all signs indicate Virginia is solidly a seller’s market, you may be in a good position to negotiate a lower agent commission. However, if market conditions are more balanced or favor buyers, it may prove harder to get your agent to accept a cheaper rate.
The current state of the Virginia real estate market
| Factor | Trends | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Months of inventory | There's 1.1 months of housing inventory on the market | Seller's market |
| Sale-to-list ratio | Homes are selling for 99.40% of their listing price | Seller's market |
| Home values | Home values have risen 31.18% year over year | Seller's market |
Low commission real estate companies in Virginia
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 those aiming to sell their homes in Virginia and who prioritize both cost savings and quality service, Clever is a great choice.
✅ Benefits and features: Experience significant savings with Clever, which cuts standard realtor rates by as much as half. Moreover, Clever’s complimentary, highly praised matching service comes without any strings attached.
🏠 How it works: Clever pairs you with elite realtors from well-known brokerages, including names like RE/MAX and Compass, to ensure a harmonious fit. Enjoy a low 1.5% listing fee (mirroring Redfin's terms) irrespective of your realtor selection.
Pros
- Sell with a traditional agent from a well-known brokerage (not a discount agent)
- Agents work for up to 50% off their typical rate when you go through Clever
- Choose from hundreds of top Virginia realtors
Cons
- No guarantee that you'll be able to work with a specific agent or brokerage of your choice
- Additional services like professional staging, drone photos, and 3D tours may come with an extra cost (agents will provide detailed information during their listing presentation)
Fee structure
- 1.5% listing commission ($3,000 min.) paid at closing
- 2–3% buyer’s agent commission paid 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, St. Louis, MO 63130
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: For individuals in Virginia who are poised to engage in both buying and selling property, CapCenter presents a solid, budget-friendly alternative in the real estate market.
✅ Benefits and features: CapCenter carves out an appealing niche for Virginia residents with its cost-effective services. Whether you're in the market exclusively to sell or aiming for the dual transaction of buying and selling, CapCenter's offerings are financially attractive, such as their 1.5% listing fee (subject to a $3,000 minimum), aligning with competitors like Redfin or Clever. Customer feedback points towards comprehensive satisfaction with CapCenter's high-caliber services.
🚩 Potential red flags: Functioning under the wing of eXp Realty, CapCenter delivers tailored services to those looking to capitalize on the Virginia real estate market. For sellers, the low listing fee is an enticing proposition, whereas those engaged in both purchasing and selling find added value in the streamlined, cost-effective package CapCenter provides.
Pros
- Significant savings if you both buy and sell with CapCenter
- Excellent reviews from customers
- Competitive pricing even if you're not buying
Cons
- Maximum savings only if you buy and sell with CapCenter
- Less agent selection compared to larger discount brands in Virginia
- Limited availability in some areas of Virginia
Fee structure
- 1% listing fee ($2,000 min.) if you sell and buy
- 1.5% listing fee ($3,000 min.) if you’re only selling
- 2–3% buyer’s agent commission at closing
| Weighted avg. | 4.8 | 1,529 |
| 4.5 | 209 | |
| Trustpilot | 4.8 | 817 |
| Yelp | 3.6 | 14 |
| Zillow | 5.0 | 486 |
Website: capcenter.com
Phone: (804) 968-5000
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. EST, Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m. EST
Address: 4461 Cox Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Areas served: Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, DC
Listing Fee
Customer Rating
Availability
Overview
Pricing
Reviews
Contact
Overview: Overall, Redfin provides a cost-effective service that should suit the majority of home sellers in Virginia. However, Redfin's minimum fee is notably higher within Virginia compared to other discount brokers in the region.
✅ Benefits and features: Redfin's commission structure, set at 1.5%, presents a considerable savings opportunity. Furthermore, sellers who both sell their current home and buy their next home through Redfin within a one-year timeframe stand to decrease their listing fee by an additional 0.5%.
🚩 Potential red flags: Redfin's unique model, which emphasizes technology and a team approach, with a Lead Agent and a back-office team conducting most operations from afar, may not align with every seller's preference. Sellers should also be aware that Redfin has a minimum commission fee of $5,500 state-wide in Virginia. So, if your home's value is less than $367,000, you’ll pay more than the advertised 1.5% rate.
Pros
- Significant savings on listing fees
- Solid reputation and reliable agents
- Technology-driven approach appeals to some sellers
Cons
- May not be the ideal choice for those seeking a more hands-on, personalized agent experience
- $5,500 minimum fee is higher than other companies in Virginia
- Redfin has a smaller agent pool compared to Clever
- Limited availability in some areas of Virginia
Fee structure
- 1.5% listing fee ($5,500 min. in Virginia) 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. EST, 7 days a week
Address: 3110 Fairview Park Dr, Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22042
Areas served: Alexandria, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and more
» 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 Virginia'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
