How much does a realtor actually cost in 2026?

Agent commissions usually cost sellers 5–6% of the sale price. On a $500,000 home that’s $25,000–$30,000, money that could stay in your pocket.

The standard real estate agent commission in the United States runs between 5% and 6% of the final sale price, split between the listing and buyer’s agents. On a $500,000 home that’s $25,000 to $30,000, typically paid by the seller, but priced into every deal.

The 2024 NAR settlement changed who can pay what, but it didn’t make commissions disappear. Most transactions still involve at least one agent on each side, and the same dollars still leave the table.

Direct marketplaces like SellBuyMe remove those commissions entirely. Buyers and sellers connect with each other, manage the deal in-app, and bring in vetted attorneys, lenders, and inspectors only when they need them.

If you’re planning to buy or sell in 2026, the math is worth running. The savings are real, and they belong to you.