The Truth About Commissions for Real Estate Agents The Truth About Commissions for Real Estate Agents What are commissions for real estate agents? Real estate agent commission fees are the payment that a seller makes to their real estate agent for facilitating the sale of their property. These fees are usually calculated as a percentage from the final selling value of the home and are usually agreed upon between the seller, the agent and the buyer before the house is listed. Real estate agent commissions can vary based on a variety of factors. These include the location of a property,