Since the 2024 industry changes, commissions are openly negotiable and structured in writing on both sides: buyers sign an agreement with their agent that states the fee before touring, and sellers decide separately what, if anything, to offer toward the buyer's side. In practice, compensation remains a negotiated part of most deals — it's just transparent now, which is good for everyone.
Buyers: expect to sign a written buyer-broker agreement before we tour homes — it states exactly what my representation costs and how it can be paid, which can include the seller contributing as part of the negotiated deal, you covering it directly, or a combination. Nothing about that conversation should be vague, and with me it isn't: we discuss it in the first meeting, in plain language.
Sellers: you now make two separate decisions — what you pay your listing agent, and whether offering buyer-side compensation makes your listing more competitive. My advice is market-driven, not ideological: in some price points and seasons, supporting the buyer's side widens your buyer pool meaningfully; in others it's worth testing without.
What the changes really did was force what I already believed: an agent should be able to articulate, specifically, what their fee buys. In my case that's construction-informed diligence, luxury-grade marketing, bilingual reach, and negotiation backed by real volume in these two counties. Ask any agent you interview the same question — you'll learn everything from the answer.
More in my buyer's guide and seller's guide.
