The Truth About Commissions Paid to Real Estate Agents The Truth About Commissions Paid to Real Estate Agents What are commissions for real estate agents? Real estate commission fees are payments made by a seller to their real estate agent to facilitate the sale. These fees are typically a percentage of the final selling price of the home, and are usually negotiated between the seller and the agent before the property is listed on the market. The commissions charged by real estate agents can vary depending on several factors, such as the location of the property and the agent’s level