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When buying or selling a home in Georgia, it’s essential to understand real estate commissions for better budgeting and negotiation. In 2024, new rules across the U.S. have reshaped how commissions are communicated, offering buyers and sellers greater transparency. These changes are designed to help you make informed decisions when dealing with real estate fees.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned seller, this Redfin guide will walk you through Georgia’s real estate commissions and what to expect in today’s market.

Current state of the Georgia housing market

Before we jump into real estate commissions in Georgia, let’s first take a look at the state’s housing market.

Median Home Sale Price $373,300 Housing Supply 50,843 (+2.3% YoY) Homes Sold Above List Price 19.8% (-7.6 pts YoY)

Deciding between renting or buying your next home? Explore your options.

Compare the costs of renting vs buying and find a lender to secure your mortgage.

Deciding between renting or buying your next home?

Compare the costs of renting vs buying and find a lender to secure your mortgage.

Understanding real estate commissions in Georgia

What are real estate commissions?

Real estate commissions are fees paid to agents by homebuyers or sellers for helping close a real estate transaction. These fees are typically paid at the closing of the sale and are calculated as a percentage of the home’s sale price.

Who pays the commission?

sellers have covered both their agent’s commission and the buyer’s agent fees from the sale proceeds. However, as of August 17, 2024, buyers are now required to agree to their agent’s fee in writing before starting home tours. While buyers can still ask the seller to cover their agent’s commission during negotiations, this shift means the seller’s contribution to the buyer’s agent fee can vary, and is entirely negotiable.

Average real estate commission rates in Georgia

Real estate commission rates in Georgia can differ significantly depending on the transaction details and the agreements made between the involved parties. While commission rates tend to follow common expectations, they remain fully negotiable, giving buyers and sellers the flexibility to work with agents to establish a fee structure that aligns with their goals.

Factors such as the property’s location, current market conditions, and the level of service provided by the agent all impact the final commission rate. This flexibility allows both parties to negotiate and adjust the fees to suit their budget and objectives. Below is an example breakdown of commission rates based on median home prices in Georgia’s major cities.

City Median Home Sale Price 1.5% Real Estate Commission 3% Real Estate Commission 5% Real Estate Commission Atlanta $395,000 $5,925 $11,850 $19,750 Columbus $225,000 $3,375 $6,750 $11,250 Augusta $222,450 $3,337 $6,674 $11,123

At Redfin, our goal is to offer the best value to consumers. For sellers, we provide a listing fee starting as low as 1%.* For buyers, our fees vary by location but remain competitive, helping your offer stand out and increasing your chances of a successful purchase.

Can you negotiate real estate commissions in Georgia?

Absolutely! There are no federal or state laws in the U.S. that set commission rates, which means agents are often open to negotiation. The rate you agree upon will depend on the type of transaction, the services required, and your relationship with the agent.

When negotiating commissions, it’s important to consider the agent’s service level, their marketing strategies, and their local market expertise. Sellers might secure lower fees if their property is highly desirable or likely to sell quickly. Additionally, in dual agency situations—where the same agent represents both the buyer and seller—there’s often room for further reductions since only one agent is involved.

Tips for a successful negotiation

Compare multiple agents: You’ll want to compare different agents and their commission structures before making a decision.

Discuss performance-based incentives: Offering a higher commission can lead to a faster sale or better final price.

Leverage your property: If the property is in a desirable area, agents may be willing to accept lower commission.

Georgia real estate commission FAQs

What are the changes to real estate commission? Two key changes have reshaped how commissions are managed. First, buyers must now sign a written agreement on their agent’s fees before beginning home tours. Second, in many markets, buyer agent compensation is no longer displayed on MLS listings. Learn more about the real estate commission changes here.

How do the changes impact buyers in Georgia? Buyers must agree to their agent’s commission rate before touring homes. However, you can still request that the seller cover your agent’s fee when submitting an offer.

How do the changes impact sellers in Georgia? Sellers will still negotiate with their listing agent on the commission offered to the buyer’s agent, if any. They will review requests and negotiate the terms as part of the offer process.

How do you find a real estate agent in Georgia? Ready to buy or sell? Redfin can help. Connect with a Redfin agent to begin your home search or list your property today.

How can you avoid fees? Selling your home without an agent can help you avoid commission fees, but for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) transactions require extra work. You’ll need to manage everything from marketing and showings to handling paperwork.