Ask the editor: How are real estate agents paid?

Most real estate agents are paid through agent fees in the home buying and selling process, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The seller is usually responsible for paying the agent fees during the closing process. The fee is subtracted from the proceeds of the home sale.

A real estate agent’s commission is a percentage of the sale price—typically 6%. For a home that sells for $300,000, the commission is $18,000. The commission is split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent.

The commission is typically wrapped into the price of the home, according to the NAR.

An agent’s commission can cover a range of services, such as pricing a home, marketing it, negotiating with the buyers and guiding sellers through the closing process.

A commission is negotiable, but most agents work only on commission, according to the NAR.