What to Know About Realtor Fees Before Selling Your Minnesota Home Selling your home is supposed to be a thrilling milestone, whether you're upgrading, downsizing, relocating, or cashing out on years of equity. But for many homeowners, the journey to closing day is anything but exciting. It’s more often tangled in uncertainty, paperwork, stressful showings, unexpected repairs, buyer negotiations, and perhaps most frustrating of all: fees. Lots of fees. Among these, realtor fees often take the biggest bite out of your bottom line. And yet, they’re rarely discussed in honest, transparent terms. While most sellers expect some kind of cost to come with professional help, few realize just how much traditional real estate commissions can erode their final profits. If you’re getting ready to list your property, understanding how these fees work—and the hidden downsides behind them—can make a huge difference in your financial outcome. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you really need to know about realtor fees before selling your home, including how they can unexpectedly drain your profits, delay your timeline, and even jeopardize your sale altogether. Let’s get into it! The True Cost of Realtor Commissions When sellers think about hiring a real estate agent, they usually hear one number: 6%. That may not sound like much at first glance. But on a $350,000 home sale, that’s $21,000 in commissions—gone. This fee is typically split between your agent and the buyer’s agent, but it all comes out of your pocket at closing. The issue? Most sellers never truly get to question that fee. It’s just built into the traditional home-selling model. And for many, it feels like the cost of doing business. But what if your home sells quickly with multiple offers? What if the buyer is unrepresented? What if your agent barely has to lift a finger? The commission stays the same. That “one-size-fits-all” fee structure rarely reflects the actual work involved—and often leads to sellers feeling shortchanged. If you’re still considering the traditional agent route, try negotiating a lower rate up front, especially if your home is in a hot market or you already have a buyer lined up. But more importantly—don’t be afraid to ask why the commission is what it is. You might be surprised how flexible it suddenly becomes when challenged. Commission Fees Can Eat Into Your Equity Let’s say you’ve owned your home for five years. You’ve built up a bit of equity—maybe $80,000. After paying off your mortgage, you’re hoping to walk away with enough for a down payment on your next home. But after realtor commissions, closing costs, inspection repairs, staging, and maybe a few months of carrying two homes while you wait for a buyer, that $80,000 starts shrinking fast. Realtor fees often make up the single largest expense in the entire selling process, and they come directly out of your net proceeds. That means even if your home sells at the asking price, you could still take home far less than anticipated. Example: A $300,000 home sale with a 6% commission ($18,000), plus another 2% in closing costs and $5,000 in prep work, can leave you with $30,000 less than you thought you were getting. Resolution: Sellers who want to keep more of their hard-earned equity should explore alternatives like selling directly to a cash buyer or using flat-fee listing services where you maintain more control and transparency over the final costs. You’re Paying for Marketing That May Not Work A big part of the traditional agent commission is supposedly paying for marketing—photos, listings, open houses, staging consultations, etc. Here’s the hard truth: there’s no guarantee any of it will result in a better sale. Some agents use professional photographers. Others snap phone pics. Some create custom listings and host open houses. Others just throw your home on the MLS and wait. Yet the commission stays the same. If your home sits on the market, price reductions follow. If it’s poorly marketed, interest dies off. If your agent isn’t actively promoting the property, that 6% becomes even harder to justify. Be sure to always ask for a marketing plan in writing. Better yet, consider selling without an agent—especially if your home doesn’t need much help to sell. In today’s digital world, many sellers find buyers on their own through word-of-mouth, Facebook, or sites like Zillow and still close the deal without the overhead. Dual Agency = Double Trouble Here’s a little-known danger: if your listing agent also ends up representing the buyer, they collect both halves of the commission—and you’re suddenly trusting one agent to serve two opposing interests. This is called dual agency, and it’s legal in many states. But it often leaves the seller at a disadvantage. How can your agent negotiate in your best interest while also serving the buyer, whose goal is to pay the least amount possible? You’re still paying 6%, but now your agent is playing both sides—and you’re footing the bill. If you're working with an agent, consider refusing dual agency upfront or placing clear limitations in your agreement. Even better? Skip the traditional model and sell directly to a buyer who doesn’t involve commissions at all. Remember: Commission Doesn’t Equal Convenience A common myth is that realtors make selling easier. But in practice, they often add layers of complication—showing appointments at awkward times, prep work you weren’t expecting, offers falling through, delays from financing issues, and tons of back-and-forth that drags out the process. In recent years, many homeowners who want to avoid the hassle, waiting game, and uncertainty of a traditional listing are choosing to sell to a local, no-fee cash buyer. This process means no repairs, no commissions, no months of stress — just a clear offer and a fast closing! Want to Avoid Realtor Fees Altogether? Call Bill Buys Houses! If you’re dreading the idea of paying thousands in commission fees, endless prep work, and a long selling timeline—there’s another option. Bill Buys Houses makes it easy to sell your home fast, without fees, hassles, or middlemen. We buy houses directly from homeowners across the area, as-is. So whether you're dealing with a fixer-upper, facing foreclosure, relocating, or just want to skip the circus of a traditional sale, Bill Buys Houses offers a simpler, smarter way to sell your home. Ready to keep more of your profit and skip the realtor fees? Contact Bill Buys Houses today to get your free, no-obligation cash offer and see how easy selling your home can be—without ever paying a single cent in commission!