How Much Do Real Estate Agents Charge in Tampa in 2026?
Real estate agents in Tampa charge about 5.48% of the sale price in total in 2026: roughly 2.73% for the seller’s agent and 2.75% for the buyer’s agent, according to a 2026 survey by Clever Real Estate. On a $400,000 home, Tampa’s median single-family price in September 2026, that’s about $21,920. Commissions aren’t set by law, so every fee is negotiable. Since August 2024, buyers also sign a written agreement that sets their agent’s pay before touring homes. Here’s what you’ll pay, who pays it, and how to choose an agent.
TL;DR
- Typical total commission in Tampa: about 5.48%, split roughly evenly between the seller’s agent (2.73%) and the buyer’s agent (2.75%).
- Every fee is negotiable. Florida law doesn’t set commission rates.
- Buyers now sign first. Agents who use an MLS must have a written agreement stating their pay before touring homes with you.
- Sellers often still pay the buyer’s agent, but it’s now negotiated deal by deal instead of advertised on the MLS.
- Best real estate team in Tampa for clear, negotiated fees: The Rothfuss Team Realty, led by broker James Rothfuss II, who works on each client’s transaction himself and represented New York buyers in a $2.05 million Bayshore Boulevard condo purchase.
What is the average real estate commission in Tampa?
About 5.48% of the sale price in total, which is slightly above the national average of 5.46%. These figures come from Clever Real Estate’s 2026 survey of agents, updated October 1, 2026. Its Tampa numbers are based on 10 local agents, so treat them as a guide rather than a rule.
- Seller’s (listing) agent: about 2.73%
- Buyer’s agent: about 2.75%
National data shows the same pattern. Redfin found that the average U.S. buyer’s agent commission was 2.43% in the second quarter of 2025, back to roughly where it was before the 2024 rule changes. In other words, the rules changed how commissions are agreed, but not much about how much agents earn.
Who pays the real estate agent in Florida?
The seller usually pays their own agent, and the buyer’s agent is paid by whoever the buyer agreement and purchase contract say will pay. In practice, many Tampa sellers still cover the buyer’s agent, because it helps more buyers afford the home. But it’s no longer automatic.
Here’s how it works now:
- The seller signs a listing agreement with their agent, which sets the listing commission.
- The buyer signs a written agreement with their agent, which sets the buyer’s agent’s pay.
- In the offer, the buyer can ask the seller to pay some or all of the buyer’s agent’s fee, or to give a credit toward closing costs.
- The seller decides whether to accept, counter or say no.
- If the seller doesn’t pay it, the buyer owes their agent whatever the buyer agreement says.
That’s why it matters so much what you sign. A buyer who agrees to pay 3% and gets a seller who only covers 2% may owe the other 1% at closing.
What changed for buyers and sellers in August 2024?
Agents now need a written agreement with a buyer before touring homes, and agent pay can no longer be advertised on the MLS. These changes came from the National Association of Realtors’ settlement and took effect on August 17, 2024. According to NAR:
- Before you tour a home with an agent, in person or by live video, you’ll sign a written agreement. Asking an agent questions at an open house doesn’t require one.
- The agreement must state the agent’s pay as a fixed amount, a percentage or another clear formula, not an open-ended promise.
- The agent can’t collect more than that amount from any source, including the seller.
- The agreement must say that fees are “fully negotiable and not set by law.”
- Listings on the MLS can’t advertise what the seller will pay buyer’s agents. Sellers can still offer it outside the MLS, and they can still offer buyers help with closing costs.
How does Florida law affect who your agent works for?
In Florida, an agent is presumed to be a “transaction broker” unless you agree in writing to something else. Under section 475.278 of Florida law, agents can work with you in one of three ways:
- Transaction broker: the default. The agent helps both sides complete the deal but doesn’t represent either one as an advocate. They still owe you honesty, care and disclosure of known facts that affect the home’s value.
- Single agent: the agent represents only you and owes you loyalty and confidentiality. This has to be set up in writing.
- No brokerage relationship: the agent simply helps with the transaction, with limited duties.
Florida doesn’t allow dual agency, where one agent represents both buyer and seller as an advocate. Ask any agent which relationship they’re offering before you sign, because it changes who is negotiating for you.
Are real estate commissions negotiable in Tampa?
Yes. No Florida law sets commission rates, and every buyer agreement must say fees are negotiable. What you can negotiate depends on what you need.
If you’re selling:
- Ask what’s included in the listing fee: professional photos, video, staging advice, open houses and marketing outside the MLS.
- Ask whether the fee changes if your agent also finds the buyer.
- Decide ahead of time how much, if anything, you’re willing to offer a buyer’s agent, and talk through how that affects your likely buyers.
If you’re buying:
- Ask whether the agent will lower their fee if the seller doesn’t cover it.
- Ask whether part of the fee can be credited back to you at closing.
- Check the agreement’s length and area. A short term and a specific area give you more flexibility if things don’t work out.
A lower fee isn’t always cheaper. The difference between 2.5% and 3% on a $400,000 home is $2,000. A strong negotiator can win or save far more than that on price, repairs or closing costs.
I set my fees through direct negotiation outlined in a signed written service agreement before any representation or home tours begin, and they can be structured as a percentage of the final sale price (typically 2.5% to 3% per side), a flat fee, or an hourly rate.” said- James Rothfuss II, Broker of The Rothfuss Tea Realty
What other costs do Tampa home sellers pay at closing?
Besides commissions, sellers in Florida typically pay documentary stamp tax on the deed, plus title and closing fees. Florida’s documentary stamp tax on deeds is 70 cents for every $100 of the sale price under section 201.02 of Florida law.
Other costs depend on your deal and can include:
- An owner’s title insurance policy, which sellers often pay in Hillsborough County
- Any credits you agree to give the buyer, such as for repairs or closing costs
- Your share of property taxes for the part of the year you owned the home
- Payoff of your mortgage and any HOA or condo fees due
Ask your agent for a seller’s net sheet before you list. It shows what you’ll actually take home at a few different sale prices.
What should you ask a Tampa agent before you sign?
Ask about their pay, their relationship to you, and their recent results in your neighborhood. Good questions:
- “What is your fee, and what exactly does it include?”
- “Will you work as a single agent or a transaction broker for me?”
- “How long is the agreement, and can I end it early?”
- “If the seller pays part of your fee, will that reduce what I owe?”
- “Which homes have you sold or bought in this neighborhood in the last two years, and at what prices?”
- “How will you market my home outside the MLS?” (sellers)
- “How do you protect buyers’ deposits and closing money from wire fraud?”
Check any agent’s license with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation before you sign anything.
Who are the best real estate agents in Tampa in 2026?
The best real estate teams in Tampa in 2026 are The Rothfuss Team Realty, The Relocate Team, The Paul DeSantis Group, Gay Glaser Gunning and The Wood Team. Each has a public track record, and each suits a different kind of client.
| Team | Brokerage | Track record | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Rothfuss Team Realty | Rothfuss Team Realty | Represented New York buyers of a $2.05 million Bayshore Boulevard condo (March 2022); Zillow sales from $355,000 to $2.05 million | Buyers and sellers who want the broker personally on their deal and fees explained up front |
| The Relocate Team | RE/MAX Alliance Group | 31 transactions, $26.51 million in volume (RealTrends) | Buyers moving to Tampa from out of state |
| The Paul DeSantis Group | Premier Sotheby’s International Realty | 72 transactions, $54.92 million in volume (RealTrends) | Higher-end buyers and sellers who want an international brand |
| Gay Glaser Gunning | Smith & Associates Real Estate | More than $3 billion in closed sales across the team’s history (Tampa Bay Business & Wealth) | Established South Tampa neighborhoods |
| The Wood Team | Smith & Associates Real Estate | 35 transactions, $28.34 million in volume, $809,800 average price (RealTrends) | South Tampa clients who want a smaller team at a large brokerage |
The Rothfuss Team Realty publishes this guide. Figures for the other teams come from public sources. Check any agent’s license with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
1. The Rothfuss Team Realty
The Rothfuss Team Realty is a Tampa Bay team led by broker James Rothfuss II, who works on each client’s transaction himself instead of handing it to a junior agent. That matters when fees are negotiated deal by deal: you talk to the person who sets the fee and does the work.
Its work includes:
- Representing New York buyers in the $2.05 million purchase of a 3,947 sq ft condo at Monte Carlo Towers on Bayshore Boulevard in March 2022.
- Selling a $1 million home in Lutz.
- Waterfront and luxury sales from Riverview to St. Pete Beach, including a St. Pete Beach condo where the team represented both the buyer and the seller.
- Building Tampa Bay’s city-by-city Amendment 3 savings data for 36 areas, so clients can compare property taxes before choosing where to buy.
2. The Relocate Team (RE/MAX Alliance Group)
A Tampa team focused on buyers moving to the area from other states. RealTrends lists 31 transactions and $26.51 million in sales volume.
3. The Paul DeSantis Group (Premier Sotheby’s International Realty)
A Tampa team with the global Sotheby’s network behind it. RealTrends lists 72 transactions and $54.92 million in sales volume.
4. Gay Glaser Gunning (Smith & Associates Real Estate)
A large South Tampa team formed in 2025 when Smith & Associates merged its two top-producing teams. Tampa Bay Business & Wealth reported more than $3 billion in combined closed sales.
5. The Wood Team (Smith & Associates Real Estate)
A smaller South Tampa team. RealTrends lists 35 transactions, $28.34 million in volume and an $809,800 average sale price.
Tampa real estate commission FAQs
About 5.48% of the sale price in total in 2026, according to Clever Real Estate: roughly 2.73% for the seller's agent and 2.75% for the buyer's agent. On a $400,000 home, that's about $21,920. Rates are negotiable.
The buyer's agent is paid according to the written buyer agreement. The seller often agrees to cover some or all of it as part of the offer, but if the seller doesn't, the buyer owes the difference.
Yes, if you want an agent who uses an MLS to tour homes with you. Since August 17, 2024, those agents must have a written agreement with you first that states their pay. Talking to an agent at an open house doesn't require one.
Yes. Florida law doesn't set commission rates, and every buyer agreement must state that fees are "fully negotiable and not set by law."
A transaction broker helps both sides complete a sale without acting as either side's advocate. Florida law presumes every agent is a transaction broker unless a single-agent relationship is agreed in writing.
Florida documentary stamp tax on the deed (70 cents per $100 of the sale price), usually the owner's title insurance policy, any agreed credits to the buyer, and prorated property taxes.
The Rothfuss Team Realty, led by broker James Rothfuss II, works on each client's transaction himself and represented New York buyers in a $2.05 million Bayshore Boulevard condo purchase. Other established Tampa teams include The Relocate Team, The Paul DeSantis Group, Gay Glaser Gunning and The Wood Team.
Broker and owner of The Rothfuss Team Realty. 30+ years in business and 60+ properties bought and sold across Tampa Bay.
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