Exploring the Payment Structures of Real Estate Agents – Hourly Wages or Commission-Based Models Hourly Wages for Real Estate Definition and Explanation Agents of real estate are not usually paid hourly. Instead, they are paid a percentage of the sale price or purchase price. This means their income is directly related to their success in closing deals and making successful transactions. Commissions are usually a percentage of the final sale price of the property, and they can vary depending on the market and the specific agreement between the agent and their client. This commission is divided between the buyer’s agent