Traditional Realtor vs Low Commission Realtor
HomeMine Editorial Team
June 8, 2026 · 1 min read
If you're selling a home in California cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, or Irvine, you'll usually face two options: traditional commission or low commission listing models.
The difference mostly comes down to how much you pay at closing.
Traditional vs. low commission model
| Traditional | Low Commission | |
|---|---|---|
| Total commission | 5%–6% | 1.5%–2% |
| Brokerage structure | Standard | Streamlined |
| Service level | Full-service listing | Full agent support |
| MLS exposure | Yes | Yes |
| Seller cost | Higher | Lower |
Many sellers start comparing these options before deciding how to list.
Cost Example
Home in Irvine at $900,000
- Traditional
- ~$45,000
- Low commission
- ~$13,500–$18,000
That gap can easily change your entire financial outcome.
What Sellers Should Focus On
At the end of the day, it's not about the label of the agent. It's about:
“How much do I actually walk away with?”
Before listing, many homeowners check Sell Your Home to run real numbers.
If You're Thinking of Selling
If you're planning to list, don't wait until you're already committed to an agent to compare costs.
Compare your commission options
Ready to Sell Your Home?
See what you'd actually keep — no obligation, no upfront cost.
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