Real estate commissions cost American home sellers $100 billion per year. On a single $750,000 home sale, traditional commissions total $37,500 to $45,000 — split between the listing agent and buyer's agent.
But in 2026, you have more options than ever to keep that money. Here's every way to save.
Option 1: Use a Flat-Fee Brokerage (Biggest Savings)
Instead of paying a percentage, pay a flat fee regardless of your home's price. The savings scale dramatically on higher-priced homes.
| Home Price | Traditional 3% Listing | ShopProp Flat Fee | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $4,995 | $10,005 |
| $1,000,000 | $30,000 | $4,995 | $25,005 |
| $2,000,000 | $60,000 | $6,995 | $53,005 |
| $5,000,000 | $150,000 | $7,995 | $142,005 |
ShopProp's Full Service listing starts at $4,995 — which includes MLS listing, photography referrals, open houses, offer negotiation, inspection coordination, and closing support. All led by a managing broker.
Option 2: Get a Buyer Rebate
If you're buying, a flat-fee buyer's agent charges a low flat fee and returns the rest of the buyer agent commission to you at closing.
ShopProp's buyer fee starts at $1,995. On a $1 million home with 2.5% buyer commission ($25,000), you'd get $23,005 back at closing.
Recent ShopProp buyer rebates:
- $247,000 — Atherton, CA (NPR)
- $170,255 — Tiburon, CA
- $120,000 — Palo Alto, CA (Mercury News)
Option 3: Negotiate the Commission
Since the NAR settlement in August 2024, commissions are officially negotiable. But here's the reality: most agents still won't budge. The Consumer Federation of America found that the settlement hasn't actually lowered costs for most consumers.
Negotiating from 3% to 2.5% on a $750,000 home saves $3,750. Switching to ShopProp's $4,995 flat fee saves $17,505. The flat-fee model isn't a negotiation — it's a fundamentally different structure.
Option 4: Seller-Managed Listing (Formerly FSBO)
Manage your own listing with professional tools. ShopProp's Show & Disclose platform gives you brokerage-grade showing management, disclosure packages, and buyer interest tracking — free.
When you want more support, upgrade to ShopProp's full-service managing broker representation at any time.
What NOT to Do
Don't go completely unrepresented on a major transaction. The commission savings aren't worth the risk of a contract mistake, missed inspection issue, or failed negotiation. The smart move is a flat-fee managing broker who gives you full expertise at a fraction of the cost — not no expertise at all.
The Bottom Line
The average American home seller pays $22,500 in commissions on a $750,000 sale. With ShopProp:
- Listing fee: $4,995 (vs $22,500 traditional)
- Savings: $17,505
- Service level: Full service with managing broker
- Contracts: Cancellable anytime
That's the smartest way to save on real estate commission in 2026.