Buyer’s agent commissions after the NAR settlement, explained

The 2024 settlement changed how buyer’s agents are paid, but commissions didn’t go away. Here’s what it means for buyers.

The 2024 National Association of Realtors settlement removed the requirement that sellers offer compensation to buyer’s agents through the MLS. In practice, that means buyers can now be on the hook for paying their own agent, often 2 to 3 percent of the home price.

For most buyers, that’s a new line item in an already-stretched budget. On a $400,000 home, a 2.5% buyer’s-agent fee is $10,000 due at closing.

Buying directly through SellBuyMe removes that fee entirely. You connect with the seller, negotiate on your terms, and bring in a real estate attorney to handle the paperwork at a fraction of the cost.