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Finance Calc Kit
Real estate

True Cost of Real Estate Commission Calculator

Calculate the true cost of real estate commission including financed mortgage interest over time.

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How the true cost of real estate commission calculator works

The headline commission on a home sale is only part of what you pay when you finance the purchase. Because commission is built into the sale price, buyers who take a mortgage finance a portion of that fee and pay interest on it over the loan term. This calculator shows base commission, financed commission, and total cost including mortgage interest.

Model your full housing payment with the mortgage calculator or the mortgage calculator with taxes and insurance after estimating how much of the sale price reflects agent fees.

True cost of commission formulas

Base Commission=Home Price×Commission Rate100\text{Base Commission} = \text{Home Price} \times \frac{\text{Commission Rate}}{100}
Financed Commission=Base Commission×LTV\text{Financed Commission} = \text{Base Commission} \times \text{LTV}

Loan-to-value (LTV) equals one minus your down payment percentage. The financed commission is amortized like any other loan principal, and interest accrues over the full term.

Worked example: $400,000 home, 20% down, 6% commission

  1. Base commission: $400,000 x 6% = $24,000
  2. Loan-to-value: 80% with 20% down
  3. Financed commission: $24,000 x 80% = $19,200
  4. Interest: Mortgage interest on $19,200 over 30 years at 6.5% adds to the true cost above $24,000

Frequently asked questions

Why is financed commission less than base commission?
Your down payment reduces the loan amount. Only the portion of commission embedded in the financed sale price accrues mortgage interest. A larger down payment lowers financed commission and true cost.
Who pays real estate commission?
Commission is typically paid by the seller from sale proceeds, but it is reflected in the transaction price. Buyers who finance effectively pay part of that cost through their mortgage.
Does this include property taxes or insurance?
No. This calculator isolates commission and the interest cost of financing it. Use a full mortgage payment calculator for taxes, insurance, and HOA.
What commission rate should I use?
Total buyer and seller agent fees often range from 5% to 6% of sale price, but rates vary by market and listing agreement. Enter the rate that matches your scenario.
Are the results stored?
No. All math runs in your browser and inputs sync to the page URL.

Resources and references

The formulas and methods in this calculator were checked against these independent sources.