A broker commission is an agreed compensation paid to the broker, mortgage broker or sales associate for successfully concluding a real estate transaction or mortgage loan.

If the applicant, buyer or seller refuses to pay a broker the due commission after it has been earned, the broker is required to take legal action to collect the money due by filing suit against the party(s) for the total amount due. If it is authorized in the contractual agreement the broker may also place a lien on the property for nonpayment of commission.