in simple terms, a real estate assignment fee is the price paid to a wholesaler who serves as an intermediary by arranging the sale of property between the original seller and the end buyer. because this is a fee paid to the wholesaler, in most cases the sale will be structured so the end buyer, the assignee, assumes responsibility for paying the assignment fee. “there is a lot of money to be made in wholesale real estate, if you know the game well enough. as with other properties, there is not a “typical” assignment fee when negotiating on the sale of a vacant lot.