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Real Estate Math

Commission Splits

Commission splits refer to the division of the total real estate commission among the listing and selling brokerages, and then between each broker and their respective agents. Commission rates and splits are always negotiable.

Understanding Commission Splits

The calculation involves multiple steps: determine the total commission from the sale price, divide between brokerages, then divide between broker and agent. Commission rates are always negotiable—any suggestion that rates are fixed violates antitrust law.

Real-World Example

A home sells for $400,000 with a 6% total commission = $24,000. Split equally between brokerages = $12,000 each. If the listing agent has a 70/30 split with their broker, the agent receives $12,000 x 0.70 = $8,400.

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Exam Tips

Commission split problems require step-by-step calculations. Always start with total commission (Sale Price x Rate), then split between brokerages, then between broker and agent. Some questions work backward—giving agent earnings and asking for sale price. Remember that commissions are always negotiable.

Related Terms

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Related Concepts

The capitalization rate (Cap Rate) is the rate of return on a real estate investment based on its expected income.

In real estate, property value can be estimated by dividing the Net Operating Income (NOI) by the Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate).

Converting a percentage to a decimal involves dividing the percentage value by 100.

Monthly interest is the portion of the total annual interest that is paid or accrued each month.

Annual interest is the total amount of interest charged on a loan or investment over a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

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