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 agent commissions are fees paid to real estate agents for their services in helping clients buy or sell a property. – The commission paid by the seller is typically a percentage based on the final price of the property. The commission rate can be different depending on the marketplace and the agreement between an agent and a seller. – In most cases, real estate agents work on a commission-only basis,