{"id":96653,"date":"2025-12-22T10:52:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T18:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=96653"},"modified":"2025-12-23T09:42:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T17:42:21","slug":"can-a-seller-refuse-to-pay-a-buyers-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/can-a-seller-refuse-to-pay-a-buyers-agent\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a Seller Refuse to Pay a Buyer\u2019s Agent?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sellers can refuse to pay a buyer\u2019s agent, and commissions remain fully negotiable even after the 2024 NAR settlement<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MLS listings can no longer display buyer agent commission offers, which means any compensation must now be negotiated off the MLS between the parties involved<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not offering a buy-side commission may reduce a seller\u2019s costs, but it can also limit buyer interest, especially among buyers who prefer not to pay their agent out of pocket<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sellers can still attract buyers by offering concessions or leaving compensation open-ended, so buyers can propose how to structure their agent\u2019s fee within the offer<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a home is already complex, and the question \u201ccan a seller refuse to pay a buyer\u2019s agent?\u201d has become even more common as real estate commission rules continue to evolve. Since the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/real-estate-commission-changes\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2024 NAR settlement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reshaped how buyers and their agents negotiate fees, sellers in 2025 and 2026 are taking a closer look at whether offering a buy-side commission is still necessary, or even expected, in their local market.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early market data shows a clear shift. According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/press-releases\/buyers-agent-commissions-tick-up-to-pre-nar-settlement-levels\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redfin\u2019s internal analysis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the share of sellers offering a buyer agent commission has declined compared with early 2024; however, most listings still include some level of compensation to stay competitive. As the market adjusts, sellers have more flexibility, but they also face new decisions about how these changes could affect their sales.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are preparing to list your home in 2025 or 2026, here is what you need to know about your options, how the rules are changing, and how refusing to pay a buyer\u2019s agent may influence buyer interest, offer activity, and your final <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rocket.com\/homes\/property-report\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sale price<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-86511 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3523-Frostleaf-Ct_Fairfax_VA_Ext.jpg\" alt=\"Exterior of a red brick single-family home in Fairfax, VA, commonly used in articles explaining can a seller refuse to pay a buyer\u2019s agent.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3523-Frostleaf-Ct_Fairfax_VA_Ext.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3523-Frostleaf-Ct_Fairfax_VA_Ext-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3523-Frostleaf-Ct_Fairfax_VA_Ext-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3523-Frostleaf-Ct_Fairfax_VA_Ext-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3523-Frostleaf-Ct_Fairfax_VA_Ext-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3523-Frostleaf-Ct_Fairfax_VA_Ext-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3523-Frostleaf-Ct_Fairfax_VA_Ext-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who pays the real estate agent?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many sellers have historically paid both the buyer and seller\u2019s agent fees from the proceeds of the sale. But as of August 17, 2024, buyers will now agree to their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketmortgage.com\/learn\/what-are-realtor-fees\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">agent\u2019s fee<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in writing before touring. Buyers can still ask the seller to cover the buyer\u2019s agent fee when they make an offer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of this change, the amount the seller has to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/who-pays-the-real-estate-agent\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pay a buyer\u2019s agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> varies from buyer to buyer. Redfin expects that some sellers will continue to cover the buyer\u2019s agent commission fee in many transactions, but increasingly, these fees will be negotiated as part of the offer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are two options for how a seller might navigate the new commission process:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The seller can leave it open-ended and ask buyers to make their best offers, which may include buyer agent compensation, and then negotiate from there.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sellers can proactively offer a concession that the buyer could use to pay their agent as part of their home\u2019s marketing strategy. They can still communicate this to buyers and agents when a buyer\u2019s agent contacts the listing agent to schedule a showing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can a seller refuse to pay a buyer\u2019s agent?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, a seller can decide whether to offer compensation to a buyer\u2019s agent. That flexibility existed long before the 2024 changes, and what is different now is how those fees can be communicated and negotiated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of August 17, 2024, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/about-nar\/policies\/summary-of-2024-mls-changes?\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NAR settlement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> no longer allows listing agents to display or publish offers of compensation to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/press-releases\/buyers-agent-commissions-tick-up-to-pre-nar-settlement-levels\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buyer\u2019s agents<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the MLS. Any compensation a seller chooses to offer, if they choose to offer anything at all, must now be discussed outside the MLS, either between the seller and listing agent or between the buyer and their agent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because buyer agent compensation is no longer visible in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/mls-online-listings\/multiple-listing-service-mls-what-is-it\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MLS<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> search results, this change also eliminates a long-standing concern in the industry, the issue of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/steering-in-real-estate\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">steering<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In the past, some agents were accused of favoring listings with higher commissions and overlooking homes that better matched their clients\u2019 needs. Removing compensation from MLS displays is intended to reduce those conflicts and support a more transparent home search process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sellers are still fully free to decide what <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-much-is-real-estate-agent-commission-buyer-seller\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buy-side commission<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-are-buyer-concessions\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">concessions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, if any, they want to offer. Commissions are not set by law and remain entirely negotiable between all parties involved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-96296\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/shutterstock_2345695159.jpg\" alt=\"real-estate-agent-negotiation\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/shutterstock_2345695159.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/shutterstock_2345695159-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/shutterstock_2345695159-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/shutterstock_2345695159-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/shutterstock_2345695159-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/shutterstock_2345695159-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/shutterstock_2345695159-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potential pros and cons of not paying the buyer\u2019s agent commission\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your real estate agent can help you understand the options for buyer agent commissions and the pros and cons. The decision whether or not to offer a commission is one piece of your overall marketing strategy for your home and will depend on the price point, the location, and the demand for homes in your area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Pros:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Reduced selling costs:<\/strong> Not offering a buy-side commission can reduce the overall <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-sell-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">costs associated with selling a home<\/a>, potentially leading to higher net proceeds from the sale.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Greater flexibility in negotiations:<\/strong> By not paying the buyer\u2019s agent, sellers have more flexibility in negotiating other terms, such as the sale price or concessions, giving them more control over the transaction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Cons:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Decreased home attractiveness:<\/strong> Without a buy-side commission, a home may be less attractive to buyers who are working with agents because those buyers must pay their agent fee out of pocket.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Reduced competitiveness:<\/strong> Homes that do not offer a buy-side commission may be less competitive compared to similar listings, as many buyers expect the seller to cover this cost.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Perception of added costs:<\/strong> Buyers might be deterred by the additional out-of-pocket expense of covering their agent\u2019s commission, which could lead to fewer showings and potentially a longer time on the market.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will not paying the buy-side commission impact the sale of a home?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not offering a buy-side commission may reduce the number of buyer agents who are motivated to show a home to their clients and buyers that have already agreed to a fee with their agent before looking at the home. However, if the home is priced competitively and marketed effectively, it could still attract buyers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-84185 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Home-with-for-sale-sign.jpg\" alt=\"Home with a for sale sign\" width=\"1200\" height=\"703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Home-with-for-sale-sign.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Home-with-for-sale-sign-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Home-with-for-sale-sign-1024x600.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Home-with-for-sale-sign-768x450.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Home-with-for-sale-sign-256x150.jpg 256w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Home-with-for-sale-sign-1075x630.jpg 1075w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Home-with-for-sale-sign-512x300.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a seller decides to pay the buy-side commission, what factors should be considered?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When deciding on the buy-side commission, sellers should consider factors such as the competitiveness of the local market, the condition and price of the home, and the urgency of the sale. Sellers and their agents can review comparable home sales in the area, assessing how commissions impacted their time on the market and final sale prices.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequently asked questions<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. Do sellers legally have to pay a buyer\u2019s agent?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. There are no federal or state laws requiring sellers to pay a buyer\u2019s agent. Commissions have always been negotiable, and sellers can choose whether to offer compensation or structure concessions that buyers can apply toward their agent\u2019s fee.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Will refusing to pay a buyer\u2019s agent hurt my chances of selling?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can, depending on the market. Some buyers may not want to pay their agent out of pocket, which could reduce showing activity. However, competitively priced homes that are marketed well can still attract strong offers, even without a buy-side commission.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Can buyers still ask the seller to cover their agent\u2019s fee?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. Even though buyers now sign an agreement outlining their agent\u2019s fee before touring homes, they can still request that the seller cover some or all of that cost during negotiations. Whether a seller agrees depends on the strength of the offer and local market conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. How do agents get paid now that commissions aren\u2019t shown on the MLS?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buyer-agent compensation is now negotiated off-MLS. Sellers can offer a concession, leave compensation open-ended, or pay nothing at all. Buyers and their agents can also structure the fee within the purchase agreement, if both sides agree.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Should I offer a buyer-agent commission in 2025 or 2026?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depends on your market. In competitive or higher-priced markets, offering some form of compensation may help attract more buyers. In <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketmortgage.com\/learn\/buyers-market-vs-sellers-market\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">slower markets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a strategic concession or open-ended approach might work just as well. Your listing agent can help tailor a strategy based on local demand and pricing trends.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A final note<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sellers have more options than ever when it comes to handling buyer\u2019s agent commissions, and deciding not to pay a buyer\u2019s agent is entirely within a seller\u2019s rights. By weighing the pros and cons \u2014 such as potential cost savings versus reduced buyer interest \u2014 sellers can make an informed decision that aligns with their goals. As the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketmortgage.com\/learn\/housing-market-predictions-for-2026\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> continues to evolve in 2026, flexibility and strategic negotiation will be key to achieving a successful sale.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yes, a seller has the right to refuse to pay a buyer\u2019s agent. Learn more about recent changes to real estate commissions and what that means for you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":813,"featured_media":86511,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34279],"tags":[34529,34617],"coauthors":[36372],"class_list":["post-96653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-selling-a-home","tag-buying-faq","tag-home-buying-process"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Can a Seller Refuse to Pay a Buyer\u2019s Agent? | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Yes, a seller can refuse to pay a buyer\u2019s agent. 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