Who Pays Realtor Fees in Arizona?
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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 in Arizona, you may be asking: Who pays Realtor fees in Arizona? This has been a common question since last year’s agent commission rule changes, which were tied to a major 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 pay the buyer’s agent fees, breaking with a nearly 100-year-old practice. But has the NAR settlement really changed the way things work in the Grand Canyon State?
In this guide, we’ll explain who typically pays Realtor fees in Arizona, how commissions work under the new rules, and when it might make sense to cover the buyer’s agent costs. We’ll also share an Arizona-specific commission calculator so you can estimate your costs and decide what Realtor fees you’re willing to pay.
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Who pays Realtor fees in Arizona?
While the NAR court settlement opened the door for buyers to pay their own agents, that shift hasn’t fully happened — in Arizona or nationwide. According to a recent HomeLight survey of top agents, 92% say sellers are still covering the buyer’s agent commission.
Why? Arizona’s housing market has pockets of active competition, but it’s also been affected by higher mortgage interest rates and affordability obstacles. Offering to pay the buyer’s agent commission — and sometimes other concessions — is still a proven strategy to attract more offers in a slow-moving market.
In practice, most Arizona sellers continue to offer buyer’s agent compensation, especially in situations where:
- Higher mortgage interest rates have dampened buyer demand
- Buyers are stretching to cover their closing costs and down payments
- Agents caution that declining this cost could reduce buyer interest
The bottom line: While the NAR settlement rule changes increased transparency and flexibility, the prevailing advice from experienced Arizona agents is simple: If you want to sell your home in a market filled with cautious buyers, offer to pay their agent fees.
Arizona real estate agent commission calculator
Wondering how much combined Realtor fees will cost you in Arizona? Or what your costs might look like if you decide not to offer a buyer’s agent commission? Use our Arizona Real Estate Commission Calculator to compare different scenarios based on your home’s sale price and negotiated rates.
Do sellers have to pay a buyer’s agent fees in Arizona?
The short answer is no. However, as our nationwide top agent survey revealed, most still do. Here’s why the majority of Arizona home sellers continue to cover this expense:
- More homebuyer interest: Most buyers in Arizona work with real estate agents. If their agent isn’t being paid by the seller, buyers may skip over the listing or factor the Realtor fees into their offer price.
- More powerful negotiating position: Covering the buyer’s agent commission can make your home far more appealing, leading to more serious offers or even multiple bids or a bidding war.
- The realities of the market: In our 2025 survey, agents reported that offering a buyer’s agent commission and other incentives is often necessary to close deals in today’s high-rate, high-priced environment.
While you have the option to decline, it’s important to weigh how it could impact your home’s visibility and days on market.
Can you negotiate Realtor fees in Arizona?
Yes. In Arizona, real estate commissions are fully negotiable. That was true before the NAR court settlement, and it remains true today. Whether you’re discussing fees with an Arizona listing agent or deciding what to offer a buyer’s agent, you have options:
- Negotiate a lower total fee rate: Some agents may accept a reduced commission rate, especially for high-priced properties or in more competitive markets like Glendale, Queen Creek, or West Deer Valley.
- Adjust the fee split: You can propose a different commission percentage split or only cover your listing agent’s side.
- Attach commission to performance: For example, agree to pay a higher fee rate if your house sells above your target price and a lower fee rate if it sells below.
- Use a flat-fee or limited-service option: Some Arizona brokerages offer à la carte services at lower rates, which may be an acceptable option, especially for more experienced sellers.
While negotiating a lower rate is possible, remember that the right Arizona agent can often net you more proceeds, even if their commission is higher. Through expert marketing, pricing skills, and polished negotiating, a top agent can typically more than cover their fees — all while giving you a better, more profitable selling experience.
Additional free tools to help you plan your Arizona home sale:
- Home Value Estimator
- Net Proceeds Calculator
- Best Time to Sell Calculator
- Recently sold Arizona homes
What other concessions help sell a home in Arizona?
If you decide not to pay the buyer’s Realtor fees — or you want to make your listing more competitive — seller concessions can be another way to sweeten the deal for potential homebuyers. Common incentives in Arizona include:
- Closing cost credits: Offering to cover part of the buyer’s closing costs can ease their upfront expenses.
- Interest rate buydowns: In a high-rate situation, helping to lower the buyer’s mortgage rate for the first year or two can be a potent incentive.
- Repair credits: Instead of making all repairs, offer a financial credit so the buyer can handle them after closing.
- Home warranties: A home warranty covering the first year can provide hesitant buyers with peace of mind, especially if your home is older.
According to our agent survey, the top concessions sellers are offering include repair credits (52%), closing cost help (50%), and mortgage interest rate buydowns (21%). In Arizona’s competitive but cost-sensitive market, these incentives — combined with a reasonable buyer’s agent commission — can help your home sell faster.
In Arizona and the Mountain region, 95% of surveyed top agents reported price cuts in their markets, indicating that Arizona sellers need to be prepared to offer incentives and negotiate to close a deal.
Why top Arizona agents can still net you more
With more flexibility around who pays Realtor fees in Arizona, it’s tempting to focus on lowering agent commission. But in real estate, your financial bottom line depends on both what you pay and how much you sell for.
HomeLight data shows that the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents. In Arizona, a top-performing local agent can help you:
- Understand local market norms for buyer agent commissions
- Decide what level of Realtor fees makes sense for your situation
- Evaluate offers and concessions in the context of local demand
- Guide you through Arizona-specific market trends and regulations
The right Arizona agent will help you gain a clearer picture of your home’s worth and your net proceeds potential, even if you’re offering to pay both sides of the commission.
Commission rules change, but strategy still matters
The agent commission rules may have changed, but Arizona’s real estate fundamentals remain the same: Buyers want representation, and sellers want strong offers. Building an effective commission strategy starts with working with a top local agent who can position your home to sell for the best possible price.
HomeLight’s free Agent Match tool analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to connect you with top-performing Arizona agents based on your needs. Whether you choose to pay the buyer’s agent commission or explore alternatives, your ultimate goal is the same — a smooth, successful home sale.
HomeLight is here to help. See our Arizona Seller Resource Center for more expert tips and resources.
Header Image Source: (Roger Starnes Sr/ Unsplash)
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.
