Who Pays Realtor Fees in North Carolina?
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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 making plans to sell your house in the Tar Heel State, you’re probably looking at the selling prices of recently sold nearby homes and calculating your potential proceeds. If this is your first time selling a house — or maybe it’s been a while — you might also be wondering, Who pays Realtor fees in North Carolina?
This is a common question among home sellers ever since a court settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) changed how real estate agent commissions are handled.
Under the new rules that took effect in August 2024, the seller is no longer automatically expected to pay the buyer’s agent’s fees, which had been the standard practice for more than a century. But has the NAR settlement changed the way Realtor fees are paid in North Carolina?
In this post, you’ll learn who pays the Realtor fees, how agent commissions work in the current market, and when it might make sense to cover your buyer’s agent fee. We’ll also provide a handy North Carolina agent commission calculator to help you decide what Realtor fees you may want to pay.
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Who pays Realtor fees in North Carolina?
Following the NAR settlement, some industry analysts predicted buyers would feel pressured to pay their own Realtor fees, rerouting commission costs away from sellers. However, this shift hasn’t happened at scale — in North Carolina or anywhere in the U.S. According to a nationwide HomeLight survey, 92% of top agents report that sellers are still paying their buyer’s agent commissions.
Why are sellers covering buyer commissions? Agents say it boils down to being practical. High mortgage rates and affordability issues have impacted North Carolina’s housing market. When buyers are hesitant, offering to pay their Realtor fees and providing other concessions is a smart strategy to attract offers and close a sale.
Despite the NAR rule changes, most North Carolina sellers continue to offer to cover the buyer’s agent commission. This is especially true in North Carolina housing markets where:
- Buyer demand has cooled due to higher interest rates
- Buyers are already stretched by down payments and closing costs
- Refusing to pay Realtor fees could shrink your buyer pool
Based on feedback from top-rated North Carolina agents, the takeaway is clear: If you want to attract more buyers and sell faster, offering to pay the buyer’s Realtor fees remains an effective strategy.
North Carolina real estate agent commission calculator
If you’re getting ready to sell your home, try our North Carolina Real Estate Commission Calculator below. It allows you to see a combined buyer and seller agent commission estimate — or what the cost might look like if you decide to only pay your listing agent.
You can compare different scenarios using the state’s average agent commission rates, which, combined, equal about 5.5% of your home’s listing price. But you can adjust these based on the rates you think you might negotiate.
Are North Carolina sellers required to pay the buyer’s agent?
There is no law or state mandate that requires a North Carolina home seller to pay the buyer’s agent compensation. However, as HomeLight’s nationwide agent survey found, most home sellers still offer to cover this cost for their buyers. Here’s a look at why you might want to pay both Realtor fees in North Carolina:
- You’ll receive more offers: Most buyers in North Carolina work with real estate agents. If you don’t offer to cover their Realtor fees, these buyers may skip over your listing or factor the commissions into a lower offer price.
- You’ll have stronger negotiating power: Covering the buyer’s agent fee can help your home stand out, especially in areas with more competition. This can lead to multiple bids and possibly a bidding war, thereby increasing your bargaining leverage.
- You’ll increase sale certainty: In a 2025 HomeLight survey, top agents agreed that offering to cover the buyer’s Realtor fees and other incentives is often necessary to close a sale in today’s housing market.
At first glance, skipping the buyer’s agent commission may seem like a money-saving move, but it can reduce your home’s visibility, limit offers, and increase days on market.
Can you negotiate Realtor fees in North Carolina?
Yes. In North Carolina, agent compensation rates are negotiable and have been since well before the NAR settlement. Here’s a quick look at the options you might consider:
- Negotiate a lower rate: Some North Carolina agents may be willing to accept a reduced commission percentage, especially for upper-end homes or in more competitive markets, such as the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) and the Charlotte suburbs.
- Change the fee split: You can propose a different percentage on the commission split, or decide to only cover your listing agent’s fee and offer an alternate concession or credit to buyers. (Learn more about concessions below.)
- Attach the rate to the agent’s performance: You can agree to pay a higher rate if your property sells above your target price, and a lower rate if it sells below your expected goal.
- Use a flat-fee service: Some North Carolina brokerages offer à la carte listing services at a flat rate rather than a percentage of the property’s sale price. However, this option can have downsides, such as lower proceeds, a bumpy selling experience, or more time and effort on your part. A flat-fee service might be a better fit for more experienced home sellers.
As you consider these commission options, keep in mind that a skilled, experienced real estate agent can often sell your home at a higher price, which results in more proceeds, even if their commission is more than that of a discount broker or flat-fee agent.
With expert pricing, smart marketing, and seasoned negotiating skills, a top North Carolina agent can usually more than cover their fees, all while giving you a smoother, faster closing.
Additional free tools to help you plan your North Carolina home sale:
- Home Value Estimator
- Net Proceeds Calculator
- Best Time to Sell Calculator
- Recently Sold Homes (North Carolina)
What other concessions can help a North Carolina home sell?
If you ultimately decide you do not want to pay the buyer’s agent — or you want a different way to help your home stand out — traditional seller concessions can still motivate on-the-fence buyers. Some examples of common incentives include:
- Closing cost credits: Partially covering the buyer’s closing costs, such as loan fees or title expenses, can reduce affordability obstacles.
- Repair credits: Instead of paying to fix everything your buyer points out, offer a repair credit. These funds at closing allow your buyer to make repairs on their schedule and in their own way.
- Home warranties: Offering a 12-month home warranty can give your buyer peace of mind, especially if you’re selling an older North Carolina house.
- Interest rate buydowns: This concession has become increasingly popular as interest rates have held back many buyers. It involves funding a temporary interest rate reduction for your buyer, which lowers their monthly mortgage payment for the first year.
HomeLight’s 2025 agent survey revealed that the top concessions being offered by sellers in the current market are:
- Repair credits (52%)
- Closing cost help (50%)
- Interest rate buydowns (21%)
These incentives, combined with an offer to pay the buyer’s Realtor fees, can help your North Carolina home sell faster.
In North Carolina and the South Atlantic region, 87% of top real estate agents reported an increase in sale price reductions in their markets over the past 12 months, indicating that North Carolina sellers need to be prepared to offer buyer incentives and negotiate to close a home sale.
What is Your North Carolina 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 North Carolina agent can net you more proceeds
While it may be tempting to focus on reducing agent fees, it’s important to remember that your actual net proceeds depend not only on selling expenses — the final offer price also plays a big role.
HomeLight data shows that the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than the average agent. On a $350,000 home, that could mean an additional $35,000. In North Carolina, a top-rated local agent can help you:
- Understand what’s customary for the buyer’s Realtor fees in your area
- Weigh what commission rate offers might work best for your home
- Vet purchase offers and concessions based on current market conditions
- Guide you through requirements, including North Carolina seller disclosure laws
Whether you decide to offer to pay the buyer’s Realtor fees, the right North Carolina listing agent can help you determine your home’s market value and what level of proceeds you can expect.
Commission rules change, but strategy always matters
The agent commission rules may have changed, but North Carolina’s housing market fundamentals remain the same: homebuyers want professional representation, and home sellers want compelling purchase offers.
Your most effective strategy starts with hiring a top agent who can position your home to sell for the highest possible price, along with the terms that fit your goals.
HomeLight’s free Agent Match tool analyzes 28 million transactions and thousands of customer reviews to connect you with top North Carolina agents based on your unique needs. Whether you decide to pay the buyer’s agent commission or offer other concessions, the objective is the same: a profitable and successful sale.
HomeLight is here to help. For more expert tips, insights, and tools, visit our Home Seller Resource Center.
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