How Much Do Real Estate Agents Charge in San Antonio? Commissions Explained (2026)
By Chris Dudley, San Antonio REALTOR® | Founder, Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC | TREC #731381
Short answer: there is no set commission in San Antonio or anywhere in Texas. Agent fees are negotiated between you and the agent's brokerage and written into your agreement. A 2026 survey by Clever Real Estate put the Texas average at about 5.61% in total, roughly 2.75% for the listing agent and 2.87% for the buyer's agent. Treat those as survey averages, not a rule.
What the numbers look like
| Item | Texas average (survey) | Example on a $300,000 home |
|---|---|---|
| Listing agent | 2.75% | $8,250 |
| Buyer's agent | 2.87% | $8,610 |
| Total, if the seller pays both | 5.61% | $16,830 |
Source: Clever Real Estate, "Average Real Estate Commission in Texas: 2026 Survey" (page updated October 1, 2026; Texas figures from 41 Texas agents). The dollar examples are simple math, not a quote. Your actual fee depends on what you agree to.
What changed in 2024 and 2026
- August 17, 2024 (NAR practice changes): offers of compensation to buyer's agents can no longer be made on the MLS, and agents working with a buyer must have a written agreement with that buyer before touring a home.
- January 1, 2026 (Texas SB 1968): Texas law now requires a written buyer representation agreement before an agent shows a buyer a home. The agreement must disclose the services, whether it is exclusive, when it ends, and the compensation and that it is negotiable.
What this means in practice: a buyer agrees in writing on what their agent will be paid before touring. The seller may still agree to pay some or all of the buyer's agent fee, or to give the buyer a concession toward it. That is negotiated in the offer, not advertised on the MLS.
Who pays what
- Sellers pay the listing agent's fee under the listing agreement, usually from sale proceeds at closing. Sellers can also agree to cover part or all of the buyer's agent fee.
- Buyers agree to their agent's fee in the buyer representation agreement. If the seller agrees to pay it, or gives a concession toward it, the buyer may owe little or nothing out of pocket. If not, the buyer pays what the agreement says.
- Nothing is owed until closing under most agreements, but read yours: the terms decide.
Questions to ask any agent about fees
- What is your fee, and is it a percentage or a flat amount?
- What exactly is included (pricing analysis, photos, marketing, negotiation, closing coordination)?
- How long does the agreement last, and how can either of us end it?
- Sellers: how will we handle a buyer who asks me to pay their agent's fee?
- Buyers: what happens if the seller won't pay any of your fee?
Before you sign, you should also get the Texas Information About Brokerage Services (IABS) notice, which explains the ways an agent can represent you.
Frequently asked questions
Is the commission in San Antonio fixed at 6%?
No. No law, MLS or association sets the rate. It is negotiated with each agent. A 2026 survey put the Texas average total near 5.61%.
Do buyers have to pay their agent now?
Buyers agree in writing on their agent's pay before touring. Whether the buyer pays it out of pocket depends on the offer: a seller may agree to cover some or all of it, but doesn't have to.
Can I negotiate the commission?
Yes. Texas law requires the buyer representation agreement to state that compensation is negotiable, and listing fees are negotiated the same way.
When is the commission paid?
Usually at closing, out of the transaction funds, as set out on the closing disclosure or settlement statement.
Talk it through with a San Antonio REALTOR®
Chris Dudley is a San Antonio REALTOR® and founder of Legacy Realty Group, brokered by Real Broker, LLC (TREC #731381), working with buyers and sellers across San Antonio, Alamo Ranch, Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, Cibolo, Schertz, Converse, Boerne, New Braunfels and Canyon Lake. He closed 76 sales in 2024 ($25.1M), 39 in 2025 ($12.2M) and 26 in 2026 through August 28 ($9.0M) (Real Broker transaction records), and RealTrends Verified ranks him #21 by sides in San Antonio, based on 2025 sales data.
Call (210) 838-6099 for a straight answer on fees before you sign anything, or visit About Chris.
Related: How to choose a listing agent | How to choose a buyer's agent | Texas buyer agent agreements | San Antonio closing costs | How to sell your house | First-time buyer guide | FAQ
Fee averages are from a third-party survey and change over time. This page is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed October 29, 2026.