Offering Buyer-Agent Compensation
Since the 2024 industry changes, whether to offer to cover the buyer's agent is a separate decision that's now yours to make as the seller. Here's what changed, why sellers still consider it, and how it factors into your bottom line.
The short version
You are not required to offer compensation to the buyer's agent — it's your choice, and it's negotiable. Some sellers choose to offer it to attract more buyers; others wait to see what a buyer requests in their offer. There's no single right answer; it depends on your home, your market, and your goals, and we'll help you decide.
What changed in 2024
Offers of compensation to buyers' agents used to be advertised through the MLS, which made it feel automatic. After the 2024 industry rule changes, that's no longer how it works — compensation is now negotiated openly and isn't posted on the MLS. For sellers, that turned a behind-the-scenes default into a clear, upfront decision.
Why sellers still consider offering it
Even though it's optional, many sellers still offer to cover some or all of the buyer's agent, and there are practical reasons:
- It can widen your buyer pool. Some buyers — especially first-timers — have limited cash and may struggle to pay their agent on top of their down payment and closing costs. Offering compensation keeps your home within reach for more of them.
- It can keep your home competitive. If similar listings are offering it and yours isn't, that can factor into where buyers focus their attention.
- It's still negotiable either way. Offering it up front, responding to a buyer's request, or declining are all on the table.
How it works now
You have a couple of paths. You can decide up front to offer compensation and let your agent communicate it to interested buyers and their agents (just not through the MLS). Or you can wait and respond to a buyer's request to cover their agent as part of their offer, negotiating it alongside price and terms. Whichever way it goes, if you agree to it, it's typically handled as a concession in the contract — so it comes out of your proceeds and factors into your net.
See how it fits into your net proceeds →We'll help you decide
There's a real trade-off between your net proceeds and your home's reach, and it's different for every listing. We'll walk through the numbers and your options so you can make the call with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
No. Since 2024 it's your decision as the seller, and it's negotiable. You can offer it up front, respond to a buyer's request, or decline.
Mainly to widen your buyer pool and stay competitive. Some buyers have limited cash and may not be able to pay their agent on top of their other costs, so offering compensation can keep your home accessible to more of them.
Compensation is no longer advertised on the MLS. If you choose to offer it, your agent communicates it to interested buyers and their agents directly, and it's negotiated openly rather than posted.
If you agree to cover the buyer's agent, it's typically handled as a concession in the contract, so it comes out of your sale proceeds. We'll factor it into your seller net sheet so you can see the impact before you decide.
Yes — whether you offer it, how much, and how it's structured are all negotiable, both up front and in response to an offer.
Weighing the decision?
We'll show you the trade-off between your net and your home's reach, so you can decide with the numbers in front of you.
This page is general information about offering buyer-agent compensation — not legal, tax, or financial advice. How compensation is offered and negotiated varies by transaction and continues to evolve. For legal questions about a specific agreement or contract, consult a licensed real estate attorney. Rabell Realty Group are licensed real estate professionals, not attorneys.