Real estate commissions have always been negotiable. With that said, how can you command more money as a real estate agent? Here are some strategies for increasing real estate commissions.
Key Takeaways
Understand Your Market: A deep knowledge of your local market and audience builds credibility, helps you price homes accurately, and positions you to earn higher commissions.
- Build A Strong Personal Brand: Standing out in a crowded real estate market through a unique brand can attract more clients and justify higher commission rates.
- Enhance Your Skills: Continuing education, mentorship, and specialized training—such as negotiation or luxury market expertise—can increase your value and earning potential.
- Optimize Your Marketing Strategy: Targeted, effective marketing ensures you reach the right audience, convert leads into clients, and maximize your return on investment.
- Provide Exceptional Customer Service: Personalized attention, clear communication, expert guidance, and professional integrity help retain clients and generate referrals, boosting commissions.
- Network and Build Relationships: Engaging in community and professional events, both in-person and online, increases visibility and positions you as a go-to expert.
- Negotiate Effectively: Clear communication of your value and expertise allows you to justify higher rates and earn more per transaction.
How to Increase Your Real Estate Commissions
Real estate agents can increase their earnings by getting more clients and (or) increasing the amount they earn per transaction. Here are some ways to achieve either (or both!) of these goals.
On a side note, another way to increase your income is to keep more of the commissions you earn. Learn about tax strategies for real estate agents by listening to our webinar replay — How to Save Thousands in Taxes — Legally.
1. Understand your market
A solid understanding of your targeted market and audience is crucial to increase your earnings as a real estate agent. Agents with a thorough knowledge of local market conditions and trends can price homes more accurately. In addition, agents who are knowledgeable about their markets are more credible. This credibility can lead to more listings and higher commissions. Finally, agents who understand the dynamics of their local real estate market can adapt their strategies to reflect current conditions to stay competitive – even in a down market.
2. Build a strong personal brand
The real estate marketplace can be crowded. A unique brand will help you stand apart from your competition and may allow you to command higher commissions.
Strong branding improves marketing effectiveness. Additionally, a strong brand results in word-of-mouth referrals, which reduces the cost of acquiring new clients.
Related: Real Estate Branding Guide: Personal Branding for Real Estate Agents
3. Enhance your skills
Are you struggling to compete in your local real estate market? Maybe it’s time to take additional courses or training to enhance your skills. For example, learn how to become an expert negotiator or how to enter the luxury market. Become more knowledgeable about green building practices or how to use CRM tools to manage your sales funnel.
Enhance your skills by attending industry events, working with mentors, or taking courses with a top-tier real estate school.
4. Optimize your marketing strategy
If you need help landing clients, it might be time to analyze your marketing strategy. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Who is my target audience?
- What are my unique selling points?
- Am I using the right channels to reach my audience?
- Is my content engaging and effective?
- How do I know my marketing campaigns are effective?
- Am I using my marketing budget effectively?
After answering these questions, you may realize you need more training or additional resources to market your business effectively. View your marketing budget as an investment in your business – that will pay off in folds.
Related: 15 Real Estate Marketing Strategies to Expand Your Business
5. Provide exceptional customer service
Do you want to be a high-earner? Then, provide concierge-level services to your clients by doing the following:
- Personalized attention: Actively listen during client discussions to understand each client’s unique needs, preferences, and concerns. Then, tailor your services to meet their specific requirements. This will help clients feel valued and understood.
- Communication: Maintain clear, consistent, and transparent communication. Respond promptly to messages.
- Expert advice: Provide expert advice based on a deep understanding of the local real estate market, trends, and legal requirements. Help clients navigate complex processes with confidence.
- Professional integrity: Finally, uphold high ethical standards and be transparent in all dealings. Build your reputation as an honest real estate agent.
6. Network and build relationships
Regular participation in community and professional events can increase your visibility and reputation within and outside the industry. Being recognized as an active and engaged community member can attract more clients and position yourself as a go-to expert in the field.
Utilizing online platforms can also expand your network. Participate in local online real estate forums and offer quality, helpful content on your social media accounts.
Related: Real Estate Networking: How to Build a Strong Network and Why It Matters
7. Negotiate effectively
Finally, another way to increase your earnings is to make more money per transaction. Since all real estate commissions are negotiable, improve your negotiation skills. Clearly communicate the value you bring to the table and justify your rates by highlighting your expertise and track record.
Mastering these strategies is easier when you have the right guidance. The Survive & Thrive Real Estate Course equips new agents with actionable tools, scripts, and systems to understand your market, build your brand, enhance your skills, and confidently negotiate higher commissions. Start turning knowledge into results and set yourself up for long-term success.
