CBS News
How much do real estate agents cost?
Getty Images
Interest rate cuts could be coming later this year, which could mean a further drop in mortgage rates. Currently, 30-year fixed mortgage rates are below 7% and could continue to drop even further, with many expecting dips to 6%.
Lower mortgage rates mean many people could be looking for a new home, especially those who might have put those plans on hold with higher mortgage rates. If you’re thinking about house hunting, you might want to enlist the help of a real estate agent.
You don’t necessarily need a real estate agent to purchase or sell a home, but they are some of the most helpful people in executing the process. Most agents handle home sales affiliated with the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) — the largest trade association in the country.
How much agents get paid depends on a few factors, including location, the home sale price, and what both buyers and sellers negotiate with each of their agents. Below, we’ll detail how much real estate agents cost and how that impacts what you pay for your home.
Ready to buy a home now that mortgage rates have dropped? See what rate you could secure here today.
How much do real estate agents cost?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all cost for real estate agents. All of the experts we spoke to note that real estate commissions have always been negotiable.
“Most real estate commissions in the U.S. range between 4.8% and 6.6%,” says Tiffany Banks, the CEO of Nevada REALTORS. “Numerous data sets show the national average for a real estate transaction commission is around 5.5%.”
While buyers and sellers may cover agents’ costs, the amount agents earn can vary depending on each agreement.
“Compensation has been and will continue to be negotiable between agents and their clients,” says Jennifer Stevenson, 2024 NAR Regional Vice President, Region 2. “Those fees can take many forms, such as fixed commissions paid directly by clients, fee for service, concessions from a seller or a portion of a listing broker’s fee.”
But that amount might not last for long. The NAR settled a lawsuit earlier this year and agreed to cut commission fees. In some cases, commission costs could go down as much as 30%.
While the NAR settlement is still going through how much agents will get paid going forward, you can see how much agents get based on what they previously earned. For a $400,000 home at 5% commission, the agents would earn $20,000. Keep in mind that amount is split not only between the buyer and seller, but also between the team of people who helped both parties, including listing agents and brokers.
Learn more about your potential homebuying costs here.
Who pays real estate agents?
For many home sales, the sellers pay for the real estate agents of both the buyers and the sellers of the home. But that’s not always the case.
“While buyer agent compensation was typically offered by listing brokers as a condition of listing property in the MLS prior to August 13, now buyers and sellers will be financially responsible for their agent’s compensation,” says Emily Chenevert, CEO of the Austin Board of Realtors. “But [buyers] may still seek seller contributions to offset the buyer’s expenses in the transaction.”
Remember that commissions are negotiable, so who pays what and how much are always up for discussion and debate. Going forward after the NAR settlement, sellers could pay much less to agents if commissions are cut.
Why you should use reliable real estate agents
Using a real estate can make the homebuying process much easier for both parties involved. Homebuying and selling can be very long and challenging undertakings.
“Realtors understand the legal requirements and ethical standards of the real estate industry,” Banks says.
Use your agent’s expertise, including their existing connections to brokers, neighborhoods, properties, communities and more. You should find an agent that knows the ins and outs of where you want to live and how your budget and lifestyle fits into that. An agent should lead with your needs first.
“Agents understand what is in the best interest of the buyer and know how to manage what are often complicated processes,” Banks says. “There are many difficulties that can come up during a transaction that most buyers would not be aware of or understand how to navigate without the help and representation of an agent.”
Ask friends and family who they recommend for real estate agents or if they know anyone who would be a good fit. You don’t have to take the first one you find, but word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to find a reputable and trustworthy agent.
The bottom line
The real estate industry can be challenging for many people, especially those who are buying homes for the first time or have never taken on this large of a purchase before.
Real estate agents come with a cost, but they also come with a wealth of knowledge and access that you may not otherwise have if you went down the homebuying or selling road alone. The cost of real estate agents might go down in the future, so if you’re hoping to buy a home in the coming months, you may want to use a real estate agent to help.
Have more questions about the homebuying process? Learn more here today.
CBS News
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
Getty Images
The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
CBS News
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
Nic Antaya/Getty Images
The Detroit Lions will face off against the Indianapolis Colts today. The Lions enter this game as top contenders with a near-perfect record of 9-1 so far this season. The Colts, who are 5-6 this season, could have a tough game on their hands against the Lions but will be looking to rack up another win after prevailing over the New York Jets in a tight game last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Colts vs. Lions game today, whether or not you have cable.
Here’s how and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions vs. Colts game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Experience NFL action like never before with Fubo’s comprehensive sports streaming platform. From Sunday showdowns to primetime matchups, catch every NFL game across major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Choose the Pro package to unlock 200+ channels and limitless DVR storage, or elevate your game-day experience with the Elite with Sports Plus package, featuring NFL RedZone’s commercial-free scoring highlights and stunning 4K quality.
Test drive the service with a no-commitment seven-day free trial, and share the excitement with family and friends — Fubo supports simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices, so everyone can watch their favorite teams.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
CBS News
How to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game today: Livestream options, more
Getty Images
The New England Patriots will face off against the Miami Dolphins in a game today at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Patriots have had an uneven season so far, coming into the game with a record of 3-8, including a 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on November 17. The Dolphins, however, haven’t fared much better this season as they enter the game with a record of 4-6, although they are coming off two wins in a row, the latest against the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game today, even without cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game today
The New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The football game will be shown on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ and the platforms noted below.
How and when to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you’ll have other viewing options, too for the Patriots-Dolphins game. Just understand that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Patriots-Dolphins game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Patriots-Dolphins game for free
Looking for an inexpensive way to watch football? Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more