Understanding Real Estate Agent Commissions: What You Need to Know Understanding Real Estate Broker Commissions: All You Need to Know 1. What are Real Estate Agent Commissions? Real estate agent fees are paid to real estate brokers for their help in helping customers buy or sale a property. – The commission is usually a percentage of final sale price and is paid by seller. The commission can vary depending upon the market and on the agreement reached between the agent, the seller and the buyer. Real estate agents usually work on a commission basis, which means they are only paid