Understanding Real Estate Commissions – What You need to Know Understanding Real estate agent commissions: What you Need to Know 1. What are Real Estate Agent Commissions? Real estate commissions represent fees paid by clients to real estate agents in exchange for their services. – The commission paid by the seller is typically a percentage based on the final price of the property. The rate of commission can vary based on the market as well as the agreement between the agent/seller. In most cases, agents are paid on a commission only basis. The commissions are usually split between both the