Who Pays Realtor Fees in Pennsylvania?
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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 preparing to sell a home in the Keystone State, you’re likely reviewing recent sale prices in your neighborhood and estimating potential proceeds at closing. If it’s your first home sale — or your first in a while — you may also be asking: Who pays Realtor fees in Pennsylvania?
This is a fair question, given that a landmark National Association of Realtors (NAR) court settlement changed how real estate agent compensation is handled nationwide. Beginning in August 2024, sellers are no longer automatically expected to cover the buyer’s Realtor fees, a shift from a longtime industry practice.
So what does this mean for Pennsylvania home sellers today? In this guide, we’ll explain who typically pays Realtor fees in Pennsylvania, how commissions work in the current housing market, and when covering a buyer’s agent fee may still make financial sense. You’ll also find a Pennsylvania agent commission calculator to help you estimate your potential costs.
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Who pays Realtor fees in Pennsylvania?
Following the NAR settlement, some industry analysts predicted that homebuyers would feel pressured to pay their own Realtor fees, shifting this expense away from sellers. However, this rerouting hasn’t happened at scale — in Pennsylvania or anywhere in the country. According to a nationwide HomeLight survey, 92% of top agents report that sellers are still paying their buyer’s agent commission.
Why do most Pennsylvania home sellers continue covering the buyer’s Realtor fees?
- Elevated interest rates and affordability hurdles can limit buyer budgets.
- Offering to pay the buyer’s Realtor fees can expand your buyer pool.
- Incentives can help your home sell faster or closer to your list price.
In short, the decision comes down to common-sense marketing. Offering to pay the buyer agent commission and providing other seller concessions is a smart way to attract qualified, ready buyers.
Pennsylvania real estate agent commission calculator
If you’re planning a Pennsylvania home sale, try the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission Calculator below. It allows you to quickly compare scenarios using typical statewide commission costs, which, combined, equal about 5.77% of your home’s listing price. However, you can adjust the percentages based on the rates you expect to negotiate.
With a single toggle, you can also compare the costs of paying both agents’ fees versus covering only your listing agent’s commission.
Are Pennsylvania sellers required to pay the buyer’s agent?
There is no law or state mandate in Pennsylvania that requires a home seller to pay a buyer’s agent compensation. As in the rest of the U.S., commission terms are fully negotiable between the parties.
Still, as HomeLight’s survey revealed, most sellers choose to offer this incentive because it can:
- Increase buyer interest and encourage more showings.
- Help sellers attract stronger or more competitive offers.
- Improve the chances of a smoother, more dependable closing.
While at first glance, refusing to pay your buyer’s Realtor fees may seem like a money-saving move, it could reduce your home’s visibility, limit your offer activity, and potentially increase your days on market (DOM).
Can you negotiate Realtor fees in Pennsylvania?
Real estate agent commissions in Pennsylvania have always been negotiable. Below are several strategies Pennsylvania sellers sometimes consider:
- Request a lower rate: Some Pennsylvania agents may be willing to accept a lower commission percentage, especially for higher-priced homes or in more competitive markets.
- Change the fee split: You can propose a different commission split percentage, or choose to pay your listing agent only and offer a different concession to buyers. (More about concessions below.)
- Tie the rate to performance: You can agree to pay a higher commission rate if your home sells above your target price and a lower rate if it sells below it.
- Use a flat-fee service: Some Pennsylvania brokerages offer à-la-carte listing services at a flat rate. However, this option can present pitfalls, such as lower net proceeds, added work on your part, and a more complicated selling process. A flat-fee option might be a better fit for experienced sellers.
Remember: An experienced, top-rated Pennsylvania agent with the skills to price, market, and negotiate effectively can often offset their fees by securing a higher offer and providing a smoother closing.
Additional free tools to help you plan your Pennsylvania home sale:
- Home Value Estimator
- Net Proceeds Calculator
- Best Time to Sell Calculator
- Recently Sold Homes (Pennsylvania)
What other concessions can help a Pennsylvania home sell?
If you decide not to pay the buyer’s agent commission — or you want to strengthen your listing — other incentives can still motivate homebuyers. Some examples of common seller concessions include:
- Closing cost credits to reduce the buyer’s upfront expenses
- Repair credits instead of completing all the work before closing
- Home warranties for peace of mind with older Pennsylvania homes
- Interest rate buydowns to help reduce your buyer’s mortgage payments
A recent HomeLight survey found that the most common concessions being offered by sellers today are repair credits, funds to help with closing costs, and interest rate buydowns.
These incentives are especially helpful in markets where affordability obstacles play a larger role in how buyers approach the negotiating table.
In Pennsylvania and the Northeast region, 62% of top agents reported an increase in sale price reductions in their markets over the past 12 months, indicating that Pennsylvania home sellers need to be prepared to offer buyer incentives and negotiate to close a sale.
What is Your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania agent can net you more proceeds
Reducing commission costs may initially sound appealing, but your final sale price often matters more than the percentage of Realtor fees you pay.
HomeLight data shows top agents can sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents. On a $300,000 Pennsylvania home, that difference could approach $30,000 in additional sale proceeds.
A leading Pennsylvania agent can help you:
- Understand local commission expectations
- Determine the best concession strategy based on demand
- Compare offers beyond the basic offer price
- Navigate Pennsylvania disclosure requirements and closing details
Commission rules change, but strategy always matters
No matter how agent commission practices may change, the fundamentals of selling a home in Pennsylvania remain consistent: buyers want expert, professional guidance, and sellers want the strongest possible purchase offer.
The most effective starting point is teaming up with a knowledgeable local agent who understands pricing trends across markets and who can recommend the right combination of commission structure, incentives, and negotiation strategy.
HomeLight’s free Agent Match tool analyzes over 27 million transactions and real customer reviews to connect you with top Pennsylvania agents based on your goals.
For more expert insights and seller resources, visit HomeLight’s Home Seller Resource Center.
Header Image Source: (Mick Kirchman/Unsplash)
- "2025 Top Agent Insights: AI Edition," HomeLight
- "National Association of Realtors® Provides Final Reminder of NAR Practice Change Implementation on August 17, 2024," National Association of Realtors (August 2024)
- "What the NAR Settlement Means for Home Buyers and Sellers," National Association of Realtors (May 2024)
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.