If you’re planning to sell your house in Atlanta, you might be surprised at how much money real estate commissions can take out of your final sale. According to Real Estate Witch, Atlanta sellers pay around 6% in commission, which is split between the agent who lists your house and the agent who brings the buyer. On a $400,000 house, that’s up to $24,000 gone just in fees.
But here’s the good news: you can negotiate real estate commissions in Atlanta. Not everyone knows this, and many sellers end up paying more than they need to. Whether you're trying to cut costs or just want to explore your options, you should understand how commissions work, as well as how you can avoid paying full price.
How real estate commissions work
When you sell a house the traditional way, your agent and the buyer’s agent both get a piece of the sale price. This usually comes from the seller’s side, which means real estate agent fees in Atlanta are something you’ll likely need to plan for.
Most Atlanta real estate agent commission rates are around 5% to 6% total. That amount is split between the two agents and their brokerages. These fees are baked into the final sale price, so while it might feel invisible at first, it hits your bottom line when the deal closes.
What affects commission rates? A few things, including:
- Local market trends
- The price of your property
- How experienced the agent is
And recently, commission rates are being affected by changes brought on by a big legal settlement involving the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which may lead to more flexibility on fees.
When can you negotiate lower commissions?
Not every deal is set in stone. You can often negotiate real estate commissions in Atlanta, especially in these situations:
- In a hot market: When houses are selling quickly, agents may be open to charging less. If they know your house will get multiple offers fast, they might be more flexible.
- On higher-priced properties: Even if an agent takes a smaller percentage, they can still earn a good payday on more expensive houses.
- If one agent handles both sides of the deal: Known as dual agency, this can sometimes lead to lower commissions, but you should be careful. One person representing both buyer and seller can lead to conflicts of interest.
- If you’re selling FSBO (for sale by owner): You can skip the listing agent and associated fees, though it usually means more work for you.
- If you use a limited-service or flat-fee listing: You only pay for certain services instead of the full package.
Tips for getting a lower commission in Atlanta
If you’re looking to lower agent fees in Atlanta, here are a few smart moves:
- Interview multiple agents: Don’t just go with the first one you meet. Ask about their services and their fees. Compare what each agent offers and let them know you’re shopping around.
- Offer more to the buyer’s agent: This might sound strange if you’re trying to save money, but offering a solid commission to the buyer’s agent can attract more offers. You can still negotiate the listing agent’s cut.
- Use a sliding scale: Propose a deal where your agent earns more if they help you get a higher price, and less if the property sells below expectations.
- Look at flat-fee or discount brokers: These services offer a lower-cost way to sell your home while still providing some level of professional support.
What if you don’t want to pay commissions at all?
If you’d rather avoid commissions entirely, there are other ways to sell your house:
- FSBO: You’ll save money by skipping the listing agent, but you’ll have to handle everything yourself—marketing, showings, paperwork, and negotiations.
- Flat-fee MLS listings: You pay a one-time fee to list your house on the multiple listing service (MLS), but you still do most of the work. This is a middle ground between FSBO and hiring a full-service agent.
- Sell to an off-market buyer: Selling to a company like HomeVestors®—one of the most well-known companies that buy houses directly from homeowners—may be a faster and easier option, depending on your situation. Just keep in mind that every company is different, and not all may be the right fit for your property or goals.
Here at HomeVestors, we are trusted home buyers who give you a simple, no-hassle way to sell your house. We’ve worked with thousands of sellers across the country who wanted a fast, reliable off-market home sale and didn’t want to pay thousands in commissions.
Sell your house and avoid commissions with HomeVestors®.
So, can you negotiate agent commissions when selling your Atlanta property? Absolutely. Many sellers don’t realize it, but the average real estate commission in Georgia isn’t set in stone. You can talk with agents, compare offers, and decide what works best for you.
And if the traditional route sounds too time-consuming or expensive, selling to an Atlanta home buyer like HomeVestors gives you a stress-free, commission-free alternative. With our 3-step home-buying process, you can go from consultation to closing quickly, sometimes in as little as 3 weeks. With us, you can sell your house “as is,” and we pay typical closing costs and don’t charge commissions or hidden fees.†
Ready to sell your house without the headache? Reach out to HomeVestors in Atlanta for a no-obligation consultation. No commissions, no fees—just a fast, simple way to sell.
