How Do Real Estate Commissions Work in North Carolina?

A Straightforward Guide from The Finigan Group

North Carolina’s closing process is already different from many other states. Add commission structure on top of that, and most sellers are quietly thinking:

“Who is paying what, and how does this actually work?”

Here’s how Josh Finigan & The Finigan Group explain it—without the legal jargon.

Who pays commission in a typical NC sale?

In most North Carolina transactions, the seller pays the total real estate commission at closing out of the sale proceeds. That total amount is then split between:

The listing brokerage (representing you, the seller)
The buyer’s brokerage (representing the buyer)

Those splits are agreed to up front in your listing agreement with your agent.

When is commission actually earned?

Commissions are typically due only when the deal closes. If your home never sells, or a buyer backs out within contingencies and you don’t close, you usually don’t pay a commission. (Always check your specific listing agreement for any exceptions.)

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Are commissions fixed?

No. In North Carolina, commissions are not set by law and are always negotiable. Different brokerages and agents package their services differently:

Full-service, high-touch representation
Limited-service or discount models
Hybrid approaches

What matters is understanding exactly what’s included in the fee and how that agent intends to improve your net, not just your top-line price.

How Josh uses commission as a tool, not a mystery fee

Josh Finigan is transparent about:

The total commission
How it’s shared with the buyer’s side
What he’s doing to justify every dollar you’re investing

Then he ties it all back to a net sheet, so you see:

“Here’s what you’ll likely walk away with after commissions and all closing costs.”

If you’re selling anywhere in North Carolina and confused about how commissions actually work, bring your questions—and any competing proposals—to The Finigan Group. Josh will walk you through the structure in plain English and help you decide what makes financial sense.