When homebuyers or agents look up “realtor commission on a $500k house” or “how much do realtors make on a $500k home,” they’re simply trying to understand how the numbers add up in reality when closing a deal.
The $500,000 price point is a realistic figure for several homes in Denver, Houston, Fresno, Kansas City, and other similar markets. But agents don’t get to keep all of what they earn at the sale price. Every year, they lose a substantial chunk of their earnings to their brokerage. At NB Elite Realty, we change those dynamics with our flat-fee system. Here are more details on both structures:
Realtor Commission on a $500k House
The standard nationwide realtor commission on a $500k house is generally 5%-6% (for both side agents).
Here’s what it looks like in real numbers:
- 5% commission on a $500k home = $25k
- 6% commission on a $500k home = $30k
This commission is then split evenly (50/50) between the buyer’s agent and the listing agent. Here’s the calculation:
- 5% commission on a $500k home for each agent = $12,500
- 3% commission on a $500k home for each agent = $15,000
Easy, right? There’s more to it than what meets the eye. If the brokerage is offering leads and backend support, the agent is supposed to split their commissions with the broker as well.
Agent Split in a Traditional Brokerage
Here’s a closer look at what agents exactly take home under a traditional commission split structure:
Most traditional brokerages in the country split agent commissions at a 70/30, 80/20, or 90/10 ratio. This means agents keep 70%-90% of their income while the brokerage keeps the rest. Most new agents start at a 70/30 split, and commercial transactions can go as high as 50/50.
Example 1 –
Sale Price: $500,000
Rate of Commission: 2.5%
Agent’s Portion: $12,500
80/20 Broker Split: Agent keeps $10,000 and broker keeps $2,500
Example 2 –
Sale Price: $500,000
Rate of Commission: 3%
Agent’s Portion: $15,000
80/20 Broker Split: Agent keeps $12,000 and broker keeps $3,000
While making a $10,000-$12,000 figure doesn’t seem unreasonable, here’s the catch. Many traditional brokerages can add additional charges, further shrinking earnings to around $7,000–$9,000 on a $500,000 sale.
In short, you’ll be doing a lot of investigation, negotiation, and coordination for an amount that’s far less than what you deserve.
Explore the NB Elite Realty Model
Traditional brokerages have been around since the beginning. That’s how the industry works. But many agents now find it disappointing to pay a large share of their earnings to their brokerage. NB Elite Realty is designed to solve this problem.
Our flat-fee commission structure lets agents keep nearly 100% of their earnings in their pockets. They simply need to pay a small, fixed fee per sale, with no other unreasonable or surprise charges.
Here’s what it looks like for residential sales:
Our transaction fees are straightforward – for a home valued up to $200k, we charge a flat fee of $249. Plus, for every $50k above that, we add $50.
So, how much do realtors make on a $500k home?
At a 3% commission rate, the agent earns $15,000 in commissions and pays a $549 fixed fee to us, keeping $14,451 with themselves.
This is about $2,000-$3,000 in savings per transaction, which stays where it belongs: with the agent. And since there aren’t any unreasonable splits or caps, the take-home income increases as you scale.
NB Elite Realty offers excellent ongoing support, comprehensive training, investor-focused mentorship, access to a CRM platform, quality leads, great company culture, and much more. These help you grow your earning potential and build long-term wealth for achieving financial freedom. It all comes at a nominal membership fee: $295 yearly or $29 monthly.
Traditional vs. NB Elite Realty: A Quick Comparison
At NB Elite Realty, we operate with transparency. Every dollar you make under our brand name is yours to keep. Besides, every fee you pay is fixed. Here’s a quick look at how we differentiate from traditional brokerages:
| Features | Traditional Brokerage | NB Elite Realty |
| Commissions | Based on a 70/30, 80/20, or 90/10 split structure | You only pay a flat fee per transaction and retain the remaining earnings |
| Earnings (on a $500k sale) | Around $7,000 to $10,000 after necessary splits | Approx. $14,451 after paying a flat fee |
| Capping | Caps are common and reset every year | One fee fits all |
| Hidden Charges | Desk, tech, marketing, and franchise fee | Per transaction and membership fee |
| Flexibility | Limited freedom | Full autonomy with personalized broker support |
| Support | Standard training and resources | Wealth-building, investor-focused mentorship |
Join NB Elite Realty to Maximize Your Income
If you’re tired of giving a big chunk of your earnings to your brokerage or you’re a seller wanting to know about realtor commission on a $500k house, NB Elite Realty offers an innovative pathway.
With our flat-fee, 100% commission model, agents can keep more commission on every sale, work with flexibility, and access elite mentorship opportunities and nationwide support. Call (844) 444-6237 for details on how to take control of your career and maximize your earnings. NB Elite Realty is where you earn more, grow without limits, and build lasting wealth.