What is the real estate agency’s commission on a property sale?
Short answer: The commission is paid by the seller and ranges from 5% to 6% of the sale price, depending on the type of property. For pre-owned properties, the CRECI-SC (Santa Catarina’s real estate brokers’ council) reference rate is 6%. For new properties, it’s 5%. The fee is only charged once the sale closes — there’s no upfront cost to the owner.
Who pays, and when
The brokerage commission is the seller’s (owner’s) responsibility, not the buyer’s. It’s only owed once the sale closes — if the property doesn’t sell, there’s no charge. Regente does not charge any upfront listing fees.
Reference rates (CRECI-SC)
- Pre-owned property (residential or commercial): 6% of the total sale price
- New property / new development: 5% of the total sale price
These rates follow the fee schedule set by CRECI-SC (Santa Catarina’s Regional Council of Real Estate Brokers). The exact amount can vary based on the terms negotiated in the listing agreement.
What the commission covers
When you hire Regente to sell your property, the commission covers:
- Technical appraisal of the property using the Direct Market Comparison Method
- Professional photos, a yard sign, and registration in the CRM (customer relationship management system)
- Marketing on real estate portals and Regente’s own channels
- Handling leads and conducting showings
- Negotiating offers with the buyer
- Following the financing process (when the buyer is financing)
- Support through to the deed and registration at the notary office
Practical example
A pre-owned property sold for R$ 500,000: a 6% commission = R$ 30,000, paid by the seller once the sale closes. The buyer separately pays ITBI (2% of the sale price = R$ 10,000 in Florianópolis) and notary costs.
What about ITBI — is that a cost for the seller?
No. ITBI (Brazil’s real estate transfer tax) is the buyer’s obligation, not the seller’s. In Florianópolis, the standard rate is 2% of the transaction value.
Does the seller pay income tax?
It depends. If you sell the property for more than you paid for it (a capital gain), income tax may apply. But there are important exemptions — see the FAQ Do I have to pay income tax when I sell my property? to find out if you qualify for an exemption.
Related questions
- Is it worth giving a real estate agency exclusivity?
- Do I have to pay income tax when I sell my property?
- How does the property sale process work at Regente?
Want to know what your property is worth and what’s included in a sale? Talk to Regente.