Property Agent Commission Rates in Singapore
Agent fees are one of the biggest transaction costs in property \u2014 and one of the least understood. Here is who pays what, how co-broking works, and when you can negotiate.
Answer: For resale private property, the standard is 1% from the seller and 1% from the buyer to their respective agents. For HDB resale, sellers typically pay 2% and buyers pay 1%. For new launch condos, the developer pays 2\u20135% and the buyer pays nothing. All rates are negotiable \u2014 there is no regulated fee schedule. On a $1,500,000 condo, expect $15,000 seller commission and $15,000 buyer commission in a co-broke arrangement.
Commission Rates by Property Type
| Property Type | Seller Pays | Buyer Pays | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDB resale | 2% | 1% | Seller rate higher due to lower absolute amounts |
| Private resale condo | 1\u20132% | 1% | Co-broke: seller pays 2% total (split 1%+1%) |
| Resale landed | 1\u20132% | 1% | Higher-value = more room to negotiate |
| New launch condo | 0% (developer pays 2\u20135%) | 0% | Developer commission built into price |
| Rental (tenant) | \u2014 | 0.5 month rent | Landlord pays 1 month for 2yr lease |
| Rental (landlord) | 1 month rent | \u2014 | For 2-year lease. 0.5 month for 1yr lease |
Commission in Dollar Terms
What you actually pay at different price points
| Sale Price | Seller (1%) | Seller (2%) | Buyer (1%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 (HDB) | $5,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
| $700,000 (HDB) | $7,000 | $14,000 | $7,000 |
| $1,000,000 (condo) | $10,000 | $20,000 | $10,000 |
| $1,500,000 (condo) | $15,000 | $30,000 | $15,000 |
| $2,000,000 (condo) | $20,000 | $40,000 | $20,000 |
| $3,000,000 (landed) | $30,000 | $60,000 | $30,000 |
Co-Broking: How the Split Actually Works
In a co-broke transaction, the buyer has their own agent and the seller has theirs. The most common arrangement:
- Seller pays 2% total \u2014 split equally between both agents (1% each)
- Buyer pays 0% \u2014 the buyer's agent is paid by the seller's commission split
- In some cases, the buyer pays their own agent 1% separately, and the seller pays their agent 1% \u2014 totalling 1% from each party
Important: If you view a property without your own agent (going directly through the seller's agent), you pay $0 in buyer commission. The seller's agent keeps the full commission. This is why some buyers choose not to engage their own agent.
Exclusive vs Non-Exclusive Listing
| Factor | Exclusive | Non-Exclusive |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3\u20136 months (locked in) | No lock-in |
| Number of agents | 1 agent only | Multiple agents can market |
| Commission rate | Usually 1\u20132% | Usually 2% (standard) |
| Marketing effort | Higher \u2014 guaranteed payout | Lower \u2014 competing with other agents |
| If you find your own buyer | Still owe commission | No commission owed |
| Risk | Stuck if agent underperforms | Switch anytime |
My take: Non-exclusive is usually better for sellers. You retain flexibility and can fire underperforming agents. Only go exclusive if the agent offers a meaningfully lower rate (e.g., 1% instead of 2%) or has a strong track record in your specific estate.
When to Negotiate Agent Fees
You have the most leverage to negotiate in these situations:
- High-value property ($2M+): 1% of $3M is $30,000 \u2014 agents will often accept 0.5\u20130.8% because the absolute amount is still significant
- Quick-sale property: If your property is in a hot location and will sell fast, agents spend less time and effort. Ask for a lower rate
- Bundled sale + purchase: "Handle my HDB sale and condo purchase, I will give you both at 1% each" \u2014 this is a strong offer
- Repeat client: If you have used the agent before or will refer others, leverage the relationship
- Slow market: When transactions are down, agents are more willing to negotiate to win listings
What not to do: Do not squeeze commission so hard that your agent deprioritises your listing. An agent earning 0.5% on a slow-moving property will spend their time on higher-commission listings. Pay fair rates for good work.
Selling and buying? Know your total costs
Agent commission is just one cost. Factor in stamp duty, legal fees, and your full cash requirement before committing.
FAQ
Do buyers have to pay agent commission in Singapore?
For resale private property, yes — typically 1% of the purchase price to your buyer’s agent. For HDB resale, buyers also commonly pay 1% to their agent. However, if you view a property directly through the seller’s agent (and do not have your own agent), you pay $0 in buyer commission. For new launch condos from developers, the buyer never pays commission — the developer pays the agent 2–5%.
What is the standard seller commission rate?
For resale private property, sellers typically pay 1–2% of the sale price. For HDB resale, the standard is 2% of the sale price. These rates are not regulated and are negotiable. On a $600,000 HDB sale at 2%, that’s $12,000 in commission. On a $1.5M condo sale at 1%, that’s $15,000.
What is co-broking and how does the commission split work?
Co-broking is when the buyer’s agent and seller’s agent are from different agencies and agree to share the commission. In a typical co-broke deal for a $1.5M condo, the seller pays 2% ($30,000) total — 1% to the seller’s agent and 1% to the buyer’s agent. The buyer pays nothing. This is common for private resale transactions.
What is an exclusive agency agreement and should I sign one?
An exclusive agency agreement gives one agent the sole right to sell your property for a fixed period (usually 3–6 months). The upside: the agent invests more in marketing and may negotiate better. The downside: you cannot sell through any other agent during the period. If another agent brings the buyer, your exclusive agent still gets their commission. Most sellers are better off with a non-exclusive listing unless the agent offers significantly discounted commission.
Can I negotiate agent commission rates?
Yes. Commission rates are not regulated by CEA (Council for Estate Agencies) and are fully negotiable. Common situations where agents accept lower rates: high-value properties ($2M+ where 1% is already a large sum), repeat clients, quick-sale properties in hot locations, and if you are giving the agent both your sale and purchase. Some agents will agree to 0.5–0.8% for properties above $2M.
How much do new launch condo agents earn?
For new launch condos, the developer pays the agent’s commission — typically 2–5% of the purchase price. On a $1.5M new launch unit, that could be $30,000–$75,000. This is why agents often push new launches harder than resale properties. The buyer pays $0 in commission for new launches, but the higher developer commission is essentially built into the unit price.
Related
Last updated Feb 2026. Commission rates are market norms and not regulated by CEA. Actual rates are negotiable between agent and client. This is informational, not financial advice.