Who Pays Realtor Fees?
- Published on
- 6 min read
-
Richard Haddad Executive EditorClose
Richard Haddad Executive EditorRichard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.
If you’re selling a home, you’re likely wondering: Who pays the Realtor fees? This question has taken center stage following last year’s rule changes tied to a landmark court settlement involving the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Under new rules that went into effect in August 2024, home sellers are no longer automatically expected to compensate the buyer’s agent, bending a 100-year-old commission tradition. But has the NAR settlement really changed things for sellers?
In this post, we’ll break down who pays real estate agent commissions and provide a simple commission calculator to help you estimate your agent fees — and weigh whether you’ll offer to cover the buyer’s agent costs.
The Top 5% of Agents Sell Homes for Up to 10% More
HomeLight analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs. Connect with your top agent matches today at no cost.
Who pays Realtor fees in a home sale?
The NAR settlement created a wave of predictions that the industry was shifting and that buyers would take on more responsibility for covering their own agent’s fees. But on the ground, that shift hasn’t materialized. According to a recent nationwide HomeLight survey, 92% of top agents say sellers are still covering the buyer’s agent commission.
Why? Because in a slower market marked by elevated mortgage rates and affordability concerns, offering to pay the buyer’s agent fees — and sometimes additional concessions — remains a powerful tool to attract serious offers.
In short, while home sellers are no longer obligated to offer compensation to the buyer’s agent, in practice, most sellers continue to do so, especially in markets where:
- Buyer demand has cooled due to higher mortgage rates
- Buyers are already stretched thin on closing costs and down payments
- Agents warn that skipping this step could limit buyer interest
While the NAR settlement rule changes provide more transparency and flexibility, the prevailing advice from experienced agents is simple: If you want to get your home sold in a market filled with hesitant buyers, offer to pay their agent fees.
Real estate agent commission calculator
But how much will combined Realtor fees cost you as a seller? Or what if you decide not to offer a buyer’s agent commission? We’ve built a simple calculator to help you see cost estimates and options, depending on the commission rates you negotiate. Use it to compare different arrangements based on your expected sale price.
Do sellers have to pay a buyer’s agent commission?
Short answer: no, but as our nationwide survey revealed, most still do.
Here’s why the majority of sellers still choose to offer a buyer’s agent commission:
- It broadens your buyer pool: Most buyers work with agents. If their agent won’t be compensated by you, buyers may skip your home altogether — or ask you to cover it anyway in the offer.
- It strengthens your negotiating power: Sellers who proactively offer buyer’s agent fees often attract more serious interest, which can lead to better terms or multiple offers.
- It aligns with today’s market: In our 2025 survey, agents told us that offering a buyer’s agent commission and concessions is often necessary to get a deal done in a high-rate, high-price environment.
While you now have the option to decline this cost, doing so could reduce your home’s exposure and impact how quickly — or profitably — you’re able to sell.
Can you negotiate Realtor fees?
Yes, real estate commissions are always negotiable. That was true before the NAR settlement, and it remains true today. Whether you’re talking to a listing agent or considering what to offer a buyer’s agent, here are a few ways sellers may negotiate commissions:
- Set a lower total commission rate: Some listing agents may agree to a lower rate, especially on higher-priced homes or in more active markets.
- Adjust how the commission is split: You can propose a different percentage split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, or offer to pay only your own agent and leave the buyer to cover their own representation.
- Use a tiered or performance-based model: For example, you might agree to a total 5.5% commission if the home sells for your target price, and 5% if it sells below that.
- Opt for limited or flat-fee service: In some cases, especially for experienced sellers, it may make sense to work with a flat-fee or à la carte brokerage that charges less in exchange for fewer services.
That said, commission should be weighed alongside results. An experienced agent who charges more may still help you walk away with more net proceeds by pricing the home effectively, staging it well, and attracting stronger offers.
Additional free tools to help you plan your home sale:
What other concessions can sweeten a deal?
If you’re unsure about covering the buyer’s agent commission — or you’re looking for ways to make your listing more attractive — seller concessions can be a powerful tool.
Here are common seller-paid incentives that can help close the deal:
- Closing cost credits: Sellers can offer to cover a portion of the buyer’s closing costs to reduce their upfront cash burden.
- Interest rate buydowns: You might contribute to a temporary buydown to lower the buyer’s mortgage rate for the first year or two.
- Repair credits: Rather than fixing everything post-inspection, some sellers offer a credit so the buyer can address items themselves after closing.
- Home warranty coverage: Covering the first year of a home warranty can give buyers peace of mind and set your home apart.
According to our survey, besides paying the buyer’s agent commission, here are the top three seller concessions being used in the current market:
- Paying for repairs or offering repair credits (52%)
- Offering closing cost assistance (50%)
- Offering to fund an interest rate buydown for the buyer (21%)
Only 7% of agents, mostly from the Northeast region, report that sellers in their market are not offering any concessions.
In a market where affordability is a concern, these kinds of concessions, alongside a competitive buyer’s agent commission, can help your home stand out and move faster.
Why top agents can still net you more
With more flexibility around commissions, it’s tempting to shop for the lowest rate or minimize what you offer a buyer’s agent. But real estate isn’t just about what you pay — it’s about what you walk away with.
A top-performing agent brings pricing strategy, marketing power, and negotiation skills that can ultimately boost your bottom line. In fact, HomeLight’s internal transaction data shows that the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents.
Working with a trusted agent can also help you:
- Understand your local market norms for buyer agent fees
- Decide what level of commission makes sense for your goals
- Evaluate offers and concessions in the context of current demand
- Navigate changing rules with confidence
And when you work with a top agent, you’ll likely have a clearer picture of what your home is worth and what you can expect to net, even if you’re offering to pay both sides of the commission.
Commission rules change, but strategy still matters
The rules may have changed, but the fundamentals of selling a home haven’t. Buyers still need representation. Sellers still want strong offers. In the end, smart commission strategies help bridge the gap, and that starts with hiring a proven real estate agent who earns their commission.
HomeLight can connect you with top-performing local agents in your area through our Agent Match platform. This free tool analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.
Whether you decide to pay the buyer’s agent commission or not, make sure your approach supports your bigger goal: a successful sale with the best possible outcome.
Header Image Source: (fizkes / DepositPhotos)
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.
