Who Pays Realtor Fees in New York?
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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 planning to sell a house in the Empire State, you may be wondering: Who pays Realtor fees in New York? This has been a common question since last year’s real estate agent commission changes, which were tied to a court settlement involving the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Under new rules that went into effect in mid-August 2024, home sellers nationwide are no longer expected to pay the buyer’s agent by default, breaking with a nearly 100-year-old industry custom. But has the NAR’s landmark court settlement changed the way Realtor fees work in New York?
In this guide, you’ll learn who pays Realtor fees in New York, how these fees work, and when it might make sense for you to cover the buyer’s agent commission. We’ll also share a New York agent commission calculator to help you decide what Realtor costs you’re willing to cover.
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Who pays Realtor fees in New York?
Many industry analysts across the country predicted that the NAR settlement would broadly shift responsibility, pressuring buyers to pay their own agents. However, that shift hasn’t materialized — in New York or nationwide. According to a HomeLight survey of top agents across the country, 92% say sellers are still paying the buyer’s Realtor fees.
Why? Higher mortgage rates and affordability challenges have impacted New York’s housing market. Offering to pay the buyer’s agent commission and giving up other seller concessions is still a proven strategy to attract more offers and close a sale in a hesitant market.
So, despite the NAR rule changes, in practice, most New York sellers continue to offer to pay the buyer’s agent compensation. This is especially true in situations where:
- Higher mortgage interest rates have reduced buyer demand
- Buyers are struggling to afford closing costs and down payments
- Refusing to cover this expense will limit the buyer pool in your market
Based on survey data and feedback from experienced New York agents, the bottom line is this: If you want to get your home sold in an uncertain NY market, offer to pay the buyer’s Realtor fees.
New York real estate agent commission calculator
If you want to see how much the combined Realtor fees could cost you in New York, or what the single fee might look like if you choose not to offer a buyer’s agent commission, use our New York Real Estate Commission Calculator. You can compare different scenarios based on your home’s sale price and different agent commission rates.
Are NY sellers required to pay the buyer’s agent?
New York home sellers are not required to pay the buyer’s agent. However, as our agent survey revealed, most home sellers still offer to cover this fee for their buyers. Here’s why:
- More buyers. More offers: Most buyers in New York work with real estate agents. If the seller doesn’t pay their agent, buyers may skip the listing or factor the commission costs into their offer price.
- Greater negotiating power: Covering the buyer’s Realtor fee will help your property stand out and make your listing more appealing, leading to more serious offers and possibly even multiple bids or a bidding war.
- Market trends and realities: In our 2025 market trends survey, agents reported that offering to pay the buyer’s Realtor fee and other incentives is often necessary to close a home sale in today’s high-interest-rate landscape.
While declining to pay this buyer fee may initially appear to be a money-saving decision, you’ll want to carefully weigh how it could impact your home’s visibility, days on market, and ultimately your bottom line.
Can you negotiate Realtor fees in New York?
Yes. In New York, Realtor fees are fully negotiable. That was true before the NAR settlement, and it remains true today. Whether you’re negotiating with your listing agent or deciding how much to offer a buyer’s agent, you have several options:
- Negotiate a lower commission percentage: Some New York agents may accept a reduced overall rate, especially for high-priced properties or in more competitive markets like Buffalo, Rochester, or New York City.
- Change the commission split: You can propose a different commission percentage split or only cover your listing agent’s fee.
- Tie the fee to agent performance: For example, agree to pay a higher rate if your property sells above your target offer price, and a lower fee rate if it sells below your goal.
- Consider a flat-fee service: Some New York brokerages offer à la carte services at a flat rate or per-service rates, which may be better for more experienced sellers.
While you have negotiating options, remember that the right agent can often net you higher sale proceeds at closing, even if their commission might cost more than that of a discount agent.
With expert marketing, pricing, and negotiating skills, a top-rated agent can typically more than cover their commissions, allowing you to have a better (and more profitable) selling experience.
Additional free tools to help you plan your New York home sale:
- Home Value Estimator
- Net Proceeds Calculator
- Best Time to Sell Calculator
- Recently Sold Homes (New York)
What other concessions can help a NY home sell?
If you choose not to pay the buyer’s Realtor fees — or you want to make your listing more competitive — seller concessions can be an effective way to sweeten the pot for potential homebuyers. Common incentives in New York include:
- Closing cost credits: Covering part of the buyer’s closing costs (e.g., loan or escrow fees, title fees, attorney fees) can ease their overall expenses.
- Repair credits: Instead of making all the buyer’s requested repairs, offer them a credit so they can fix up the house after closing — and on their own schedule.
- Home warranties: A seller-paid one-year home warranty can provide peace of mind, especially for older or less-maintained houses.
- Interest rate buydowns: Offer to help buyers lower their mortgage rate and monthly payment for the first year.
According to our nationwide agent survey, the three most common seller concessions in the current market are:
- Repair credits (52%)
- Closing cost help (50%)
- Interest rate buydowns (21%)
In New York’s cost-sensitive market, these incentives, combined with an offer to pay the buyer’s agent commission, can help your home sell faster.
In New York and the Northeast region, 62% of surveyed agents reported price cuts in their markets, indicating that NY sellers need to be prepared to offer incentives and negotiate to close a home sale.
What Is Your New York Home Worth?
Get a near-instant real estate house price estimate from HomeLight for free. Our tool analyzes the records of recently sold homes near you, your home’s last sale price, and other market trends to provide a preliminary range of value in under two minutes.
Why a top NY agent can net you more proceeds
With added flexibility around Realtor fees, you may be tempted to focus on lowering your agent commission costs. But when it comes to selling a home, your bottom line depends on both what you pay in expenses and how much you sell your house for.
HomeLight transaction data shows that the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents. In New York, a top-rated local agent can help you:
- Understand what’s expected for local buyer’s agent fees
- Decide what commission amounts make sense for your situation
- Evaluate offers and concessions based on local buyer demand
- Guide you through New York market trends and regulations
The right New York agent will help you better understand your home’s worth and your expected proceeds, even if you’re offering to pay both ends of the commission costs.
Commission rules change, but strategy still matters
The traditional commission rules may have changed, but New York’s real estate fundamentals remain the same: Buyers want professional representation, and sellers want strong purchase offers. Building a smart commission strategy starts with working with a top local agent who can position your property 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-rated New York agents based on your unique needs. Whether you decide to pay the buyer’s Realtor fees or explore alternatives, your goal is the same — a smooth and successful home sale.
HomeLight is here to help. See our New York Seller Resource Center for more expert tips and resources.
Header Image Source: (Lawcain/ Depositphotos)
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