The Truth About Commission Fees for Real Estate Agents The Truth About Real Estate Agent Commission Fees What Are Real Estate Agent Commissions? Real estate agent commissions are the fees that a seller pays to their agent in order to facilitate the sale of the property. These fees are usually a percentage of final selling price and are usually negotiated by the seller and agent before the property goes on the market. Real estate agent commissions can vary based on a variety of factors. These include the location of a property, the experience of the agent and current market conditions.