Quick answer: beyond the ordinary 5-6% realtor commission, selling folds the house's value into Ohio's tiered executor commission (4%/3%/2%) instead of the flat 1% that applies when real estate isn't sold. See how this plays out for your own numbers in the Ohio probate real estate sale calculator.
A worked comparison
| Scenario | Executor commission on a $300,000 house |
|---|---|
| Sold (folded into tiered schedule) | $10,000 (4% of $100k + 3% of $200k) |
| Not sold, distributed in kind | $3,000 (flat 1%) |
| Plus realtor commission if sold (6%, illustrative) | +$18,000 |
Why a sale moves the house into a different fee tier
The realtor commission needs court sign-off in a formal sale
Beyond the executor's own fee, the ordinary real estate commission — typically 5% to 6% — comes out of the proceeds the same as any sale. But in a Chapter 2127 court-ordered sale specifically, O.R.C. 2127.28 requires the probate court to allow that commission before the sale even closes, not simply approve it afterward on the final account.
Extraordinary compensation, on top of the schedule
The statutory tiers are meant to cover ordinary administration in full. A sale that turns genuinely difficult — contested by an heir, tangled in title problems, or requiring unusual litigation — can support a request for extraordinary compensation on top of the standard fee, subject to the probate court's approval.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.
Realtor rates run similarly whether the house is in Franklin, Cuyahoga, or Hamilton County — the statutory executor fee itself never varies by county.