Real Estate Commissions in Pittsburgh

As per the National Association of REALTORS, 87% of buyers and 90% of sellers use a real estate agent/broker in Pittsburgh. In 2020, the average real estate commissions in Pittsburgh averaged 5.66%, and Pittsburgh real estate agents received 2.83% each.

Most of the time, the commission charged by the Listing Agent in Pittsburgh is from 2.5% to 3%. On the other hand, the Buyer Agent Commission can be anywhere between 2.32 and 2.5% of the home’s value.

Average Commission for REALTORS in Pittsburgh

Real estate agents’ commissions in Pittsburgh are around 5%-6%. The Realtor commissions are split between the buyer agent and the seller agent. In Pittsburgh, real estate commission percentages vary depending on the location.

Tips to Sell for Less Than 3% Commission

If you want to sell your home with a reduced listing agent commission, then you can consider the following alternatives:

Sell with Discount Real Estate Brokers

Discount Brokers are licensed real estate brokers who sell homes for a low commission or flat fee. Most discount realtors charge one fee for the sale. Despite their low prices, they offer social media exposure, a personalized website, and more.

 Home sellers can list and sell their houses from the comfort of their homes with a click of a button. Some of the best discount brokers, like Houzeo provide advanced seller dashboards, showings management, and much more.

» Discount Real Estate Brokers in Pittsburgh: Read to know to best low commission agents in America

Sell with Flat Fee MLS Companies

Listing your home with a Flat Fee MLS service saves you thousands of dollars in average real estate commission. Because you are not listing with a traditional listing agent, you won’t have to pay their 3% commission.

You can list on your local MLS with Flat Fee MLS listing services. This way, you will also be in control of your sale.

» Flat Fee MLS Companies in Pittsburgh: Check out our rankings for the best Flat Fee MLS Listing Services in PY

Who Pays the Real Estate Agent?

The real estate agent commissions are paid by the home seller. Sellers account for this commission in the selling price.

If a seller wants to sell their home for $400,000 and must pay a 6% real estate commission in Pittsburgh they’ll list it for $424,000 as 6% of $24,000 is a real estate agent commission in Pittsburgh.

Price Comparison	With Realtor	Without Realtor
Actual Selling Price	$400,000	$400,000
Listing Agent Commission	2.5-3% (~$12,000)	0
Recommended Buyer Agent Commission	2.5-3% (~$12,000)	0
Total Real Estate Agent’s Commission	$24,000	0
Final Selling Price*	$424,000	$400,000

In this case, buyers indirectly pay the agent’s commission. This reduces the buyer’s traffic that the seller could otherwise have attracted.

 

*You have to offer a competitive buyer agent commission

How Does Average Commission for REALTORS Work?

Pittsburgh realtor commissions work on the commission split mode. The agent’s commission is first split between the buyer agent and the listing agent. Real estate agents are typically associated with brokerages, and thus 50% of their earnings are shared with the broker as a real estate brokerage fee.

For example, if a house is sold for $400,000 at a 6% real estate commission rate in Pittsburgh, both agents will receive $12,000 each. Then they’ll have to give their brokers 50%, or $6,000 in total.

As a result, even if you pay a 6% real estate commission, it does not go into the agent’s pocket. It is also shared with other real estate professionals.

How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make in Pittsburgh?

The amount earned by a real estate agent in any year depends on a lot of factors. This includes the number of sales carried out, average real estate commissions in Pittsburgh, real estate agent’s specializations, location, etc.

As per the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage of real estate agents is $61,480 (as of May 2021). This varies greatly depending on the location.

The Top Paying States for Real Estate Agents

The wages earned by real estate professionals also depend on the state in which they are based. Below is a table ranking the top-paying states for real estate agents:

State	Annual Mean Wage of Real Estate Agents
Massachusetts	$90,390
New York	$81,020
Wyoming	$80,580
District of Columbia	$77,710
California	$76,440

💡 FACT: Real estate brokers earn more than real estate agents. The annual mean wage for brokers is roughly around $ 86,500.

How Much Is the Buyer Agent Commission in Pittsburgh?

Buyer agent commission is a fee that a buyer’s agent gets at the end of the transaction. It is usually around 2.5%-3% of the sale price.

Does a Buyer’s Agent Get a Commission in Pittsburgh

Yes, buyer agents in Pittsburgh are compensated when they help their clients purchase a home. The buyer’s agent typically receives 50% of the total real estate agent commission in Pittsburgh. This sum is usually paid by the seller.

Although it is optional to offer a buyer agent’s commission, we recommend that you offer a competitive share. This aids in attracting more buyers when you are selling your home.

Average Buyer Agent Commission by State

Below is the table showing the average buyer agent commission offered by sellers in the top 5 real estate markets:

State	Average Buyer Agent Commission
Florida	2.46%
North Carolina	2.48%
Texas	2.65%
California	2.32%
New Jersey	2.18%

Listing Agent Commission in Pittsburgh

The listing agent commission is mentioned in the listing contract itself. It is a document signed by the seller and their agent. Traditionally, listing agents charge 2.5-3% real estate agent commission in Pittsburgh.

The 21st century has brought new ways to list your property. As a seller, you need to know how much you can save by opting for alternative ways of listing your property. Some of them allow sellers to avail of the listing agent’s services for a very low fee.

» Real Estate Commissions Have Fallen Sharply: Will they Continue to Fall?

One of the best ways of bypassing the listing agent commission is to opt for a tech company like Houzeo. With Houzeo, you can list your company for as less as $349!

With Houzeo, you’ll only pay a flat fee rather than the average listing rate of about 3%, which will save you thousands of dollars and give you a great buying-selling experience. For a property being sold at $500,000 your savings with Houzeo would be as follows:

Price Comparison	Houzeo	Traditional Listing Agent
Listing Agent Commission / Fee	$349	$15,000 (3%)
Recommended Buyer Agent Commission	$15,000 (3%)	$15,000 (3%)
Amount spent on Commissions	$15,349	$30,000
Total Savings	$14,651	None

 

Commission Charged by Flat Rate Realtors

Flat rate brokers/agents charge a flat rate instead of a percentage of the sale price and offer full services. They handle everything from listing to closing. These fees are fixed and do not change as per your home’s services or the selling price.

The flat rate charged by them varies depending on the flat-rate service you choose. For instance, Homie charges a $3,500 flat rate.

» Homie Reviews: Everything You NEED to Know!

Commission Charged by Low Commission Real Estate Brokers

As the name suggests, low-commission real estate brokers work on commissions lower than the traditional 5.5%-6% commission. Their fee varies as per the service. For example, a low-commission real estate company like Redfin charges 1-1.5% commission.

» Redfin Reviews: The Reality of 1% Fees, Pros & Alternatives

Commission Charged by Traditional In-person Full-Service Agent

A traditional full-service agent would charge you a 2.5%-3% listing fee and offer all the services you will need from listing to closing.

» Real Estate Agents in America: You NEED To Know the Top Agents

Average Pittsburgh Real Estate Commission Split

Pittsburgh real estate commission split looks something like this:

Real Estate Agent Commission Breakdown between Buyer Agent and Listing Agent

The real estate commissions in Pittsburgh are split 50-50 between the buyer’s agency and the seller’s agency. This is what this split would look like for the above example where the house is sold for $400,000 at a 6% commission:

Total Commission	$24,000 (6% paid by the seller)
Listing Agent Commission	$12,000 (3%)
Buyer Agent Commission	$12,000 (3%)

Average Buyer Broker-Buyer Agent Commission Split

Real estate agents are often associated with brokerages that are run by licensed real estate brokers. Thus, a part of the commission earned by the buyer’s agent is shared with the real estate broker. This breakdown is as follows:

Buyer Agent Commission	$12,000 (50% of the total commission)
Buyer’s Agent Commission	$6,000 (50% of the buyer agent commission )
Buyer’s Broker Commission	$6,000 (50% of the buyer agent commission)

Average Listing Broker-Listing Agent Commission Split

Similar to buyer’s agents, seller’s agents are also associated with brokerages. Thus the commission received by them is split with the brokers.

Listing Agent Commission	$12,000 (50% of the total commission)
Seller’s Agent Commission	$6,000 (50% of the seller agent commission)
Seller’s Broker Commission	$6,000 (50% of the seller agent commission )

Commission Split as per Companies in Pittsburgh

Commission split in most cases between the agent and the brokerage is 50-50. But it can vary as per the company brokerage policy as well. It also depends on your industry, your market, the broker’s support and resources, and more.

Some brokerages now offer real estate agents a salary and benefits package, thereby affecting the commission split percentage.

Here is an example of a commission split for the 5 companies:

1. Keller Williams	70 / 30
2. RE/MAX	95/5, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40 (capping system)
3. Century 21	50/50, 70/30, 8% franchise fee (capping system)
4. Coldwell Banker Real Estate	50/50, 60/40, 70/30 (capping system)
5. Compass	50/50

Are Real Estate Commissions in Pittsburgh Negotiable?

Yes! You can negotiate real estate commissions in Pittsburgh with your real estate agents. But it may not be very easy. As per a new report from the Consumer Federation of America, nearly 73% of real estate agents refuse to lower their fees.

This aside, real estate agent commissions in Pittsburgh is very much negotiable. In fact, Article 16 of the NAR Code Of Ethics facilitates REALTORS to negotiate commissions with their clients.

» How To Negotiate Real Estate Commissions: Read more to find out

Here are a few circumstances under which negotiating real estate agent commission in Pittsburgh can be easier:

What is Included in Real Estate Agent Commission in Pittsburgh?

Real estate agents offer the following services by charging a 6% real estate commission:

MLS Listing	Your real estate agent creates listing documents and lists your property on the MLS. They also help in creating property descriptions, highlighting features that can be leveraged upon, ordering pictures, etc. ✍️ Pro Tip: Use a for sale by owner website or Flat Fee MLS Companies like Houzeo to list your home. Houzeo will help you save the hefty realtor commission and get your property maximum exposure. All of this, just for a small flat fee! » How To List on MLS: Read more to Know More
Marketing your House	To enhance the exposure your property gets and to attract more buyers, your house has to be marketed properly. Your real estate agent can guide you in hiring a professional photographer, get you acquainted with newer marketing tactics in the market, promote your house on social media platforms, and a lot more. » Creative Ways to Market a House For Sale: Houzeo’s step-by-step guide
Negotiating Offers	Owing to their years of negotiating experience, agents can help you get the best deal when selling/buying your house. » How to Request Highest & Best Offers: Watch to know more!
Assistance in Pricing	One of the most important factors to ensure a quick sale is pricing your house accurately. A real estate professional’s years of experience can come in handy when pricing your house. » How To Price Your House For Sale: Find Out More
Guide in the Closing Process	During closing real estate agents ensure that all the stakeholders are present on the day of closing. They also set up appointments with title companies and lenders. They also take care that all stakeholders are present on time.

Is REALTOR Fee included in the Closing Cost?

Yes, the REALTOR fee in Pittsburgh is generally included in the seller’s closing costs, unless the buyer offers to pay some part of it. Apart from this, the closing cost also includes various other costs like an escrow fee, inspection fee, survey fee, home appraisal fee, etc. Most of these are paid by the buyer or can be negotiated, unlike REALTOR commission.

» Seller Closing Costs Pennsylvania: Check out the closing costs in Pennsylvania

Alternatives to Paying REALTOR Commission

For sellers, it is important to know that they have other alternatives to 5%-6% real estate commission. This includes the following:

Sell as FSBO

One way to bypass the hefty Realtor commissions is to sell your house For Sale By Owner (FSBO). It is a DIY approach with no listing agent involved. Sellers have maximum control over the entire process but have to handle all the paperwork with no oversight.

The idea of selling your home FSBO has its drawbacks. Though you save up on the commission money, you will have to handle everything – listing, marketing, negotiations, closings, etc. – on your own.

🚩 Key Downsides of Selling Your Home For Sale By Owner:

• No MLS Exposure: MLS is the most important tool an agent has. Selling FSBO means limited exposure, so there will be less competition for your property. That will likely reduce the selling price. One study found that homes on the MLS sold for 17% more than homes, not on the MLS.
• No Help If You Need It: If you need help with paperwork, inspections, negotiations, or closing, you’re on your own as a For Sale By Owner.

Sell With Flat Fee MLS Listing Company like Houzeo

The average realtor commission in Pittsburgh is around 5%-6%. Listing with a high-tech website like Houzeo.com saves you the listing agent commission. In addition, it gets you maximum exposure to the MLS and helps whenever you need it.

✅ A Flat Fee MLS Listing Service Combines the Best of Both Worlds:

• Save Thousands in Commission: Instead of paying a 5% to 6% listing agent commission, you just pay a $349 listing fee.
• Maximum Exposure: You get full exposure to the MLS, Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and hundreds of other websites.
• Help When You Need It: Services like Houzeo.com offer the “Contract to Close Coaching Package”. So if you need help during the transaction at any time, a licensed broker is there to help you sell!
• Full Control Over Your Sale: You retain full control over when to sell and who to sell. Houzeo captures all leads and displays them on your dashboard. All offers and showings are summarized online, along with the buyer’s or their agent’s contact info. It doesn’t get easier.
• Fast Listing & Changes: Houzeo is 100% online, and allows you to request changes instantly. Contracts are auto-generated, and turn-around times are fast!
• A-la-carte Options: Need a yard sign, ShowingTime, lockbox? You can purchase them easily from your Houzeo dashboard!

What are the Steps to List on MLS via Houzeo.com?

Steps	Description
1.	On your browser, go to Houzeo’s website.
2.	Click “Start Free Listing” located in the upper right corner of the home page.
3.	On the login page, click “Register Here” located right underneath the login button and it will ask you to create an account.
4.	Fill in all the required fields; complete name, email address, phone number, and password, then select “register” to finish creating your account.
5.	You will receive an email to verify your account. Open your registered email to complete the account verification. Once your account is verified, you are all set to list your home.
6.	Login to your account to access your Houzeo dashboard.
7.	On your dashboard, select “Sell A Property”.
8.	There are 7 tabs to fill to complete your Houzeo listing. First is Property Address. Enter your property’s complete address, select the correct property type then click continue.
9.	The second tab is the Basic Information. Enter your property’s basic information, title, and description, select the buyer’s agent commission then click continue.
10.	In the third tab, you need to provide the Property Price. Enter the amount you have set for your home then click continue.
11.	Property Photos is the fourth tab. Upload the photos of your property and click continue.
12.	The fifth tab is MLS Package. Select the package you like for listing your home and process the payment using a debit or credit card.
13.	Next is the Property Agent. Select any available broker. They will be assigned as your listing agent then click continue.
14.	MLS Documents is the last tab. Here, you need to complete the tasks assigned to your account to complete your listing order.

» Houzeo Reviews: Home Selling made easier with Houzeo.com!

Sell Your House To An iBuyer in Pittsburgh

iBuyers are companies that will buy your home for cash outright. The price is decided with the help of their proprietary algorithm, recent real estate data, and their in-house experts. An iBuyer can offer and close the deal within 24 hours, however, there are certain pitfalls when dealing with an iBuyer.

• Their offer price is many a times way lower than the actual market price
• Their offer price is often non-negotiable
• They charge steep service fees – generally 5%-14% of the purchase price

Hence, iBuyers are only recommended if you want a quick sale rather than saving your money.

» Offerpad Reviews: 1% Cancellation & Lowball Offers in 2022

Sell To a Cash Company

Some property owners may find that companies buying houses for cash are a good alternative. They are a good option as they come with a slew of advantages like an easy closing process, no requirement to pass inspections, no need for open houses and you won’t even have to take the effort to clean and repair your house.

Whether you’re a real estate investor or just a regular home seller, selling a home that requires a lot of work can be a hassle. Most retail buyers will be unable to acquire your home if it is unsightly or requires extensive modifications. Here’s when cash companies can help you.

However, the primary drawback of selling to a cash home buyer is that you might miss out on the open market competition, which you will only see if you list through a Flat Fee Realtor. There are also chances that you might end up selling your house at a lower price than expected.

» We Buy Houses for Cash Companies in Pittsburgh: Cash Companies Reviewed

Final Word

Though the average REALTOR commission in Pittsburgh has been observed recently. This is due to the evolution of newer models of selling houses. This includes the flat-rate model, the low-commission model, and the Flat Fee MLS listing model.

Flat Fee MLS listing providers like Houzeo allow you to list your property on the MLS for a very small fixed fee. This lets you control the process and avoid high real estate agent fees.

Thus, with technology and new real estate transaction models, sellers no longer need real estate agents. FSBO websites or Flat Fee MLS Listing services like Houzeo can help them sell their homes quickly for the best price.

Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?

Check out the following video for all the details you need:

Also Read

• How to Sell My House Fast in Pittsburgh: Selling a house in Pittsburgh takes approximately 90 days from list to close. And that’s only if you get offers fast and there are no hiccups in home inspection, appraisal, and closing. Here’s how you can sell your house fast and for more cash.
• Selling a House in Pennsylvania: Selling a house in Pennsylvania is complex and requires a good understanding of the real estate market.
• Closing Costs: What are the closing costs as a seller? See what’s the real cost and how you can negotiate in your closing costs as a seller.
  • Closing Costs for Sellers: What are the closing costs as a seller? See what’s the real cost and how you can negotiate in your closing costs as a seller.
  • Closing Costs for Buyers: Check out real costs related to buying a house and see if you can negotiate your closing costs as a buyer.
• Best Real Estate Websites: The majority of homebuyers and home sellers go through a real estate website before reaching out to a realtor. Read our list of the top 12 real state websites in America.
• Realtors in America: Here is a list of the top REALTORS in America to help you choose one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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