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Buyer鈥檚 Agent Commissions Tick Up to Pre-NAR Settlement Levels

Redfin reports the average U.S. buyer鈥檚 agent commission rose to 2.43% in the second quarter from 2.38% a year earlier

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The average U.S. buyer鈥檚 agent commission was 2.43% for homes sold in the second quarter, up from 2.38% a year earlier. That鈥檚 according to a new from , the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket.

Average commission paid to U.S. real estate agents representing buyers

It was the third consecutive quarter that commissions ticked a little higher after new National Association of AG真人官方tors (NAR) commissions rules went into effect in August 2024.

The report is based on an analysis of Redfin鈥檚 data on buyer鈥檚 agent commissions for closed home sales. The analysis reflects national commission rates, using national, aggregated sales data from Redfin agents' listings, deals referred by Redfin.com to partner agents, and deals where buyers used Bay Equity Home Loans.

Commissions return to same level as when new NAR rules were announced

Commissions are now back to the same level they were sitting at in the first quarter of 2024, when NAR first announced a settlement dictating new commission rules in response to a class action lawsuit brought by home sellers.

Immediately after the settlement was announced, commissions declined, dropping to a low of 2.36% in the third quarter of 2024. They fell at that time partly because the settlement shed light on sellers鈥� ability to negotiate commissions down.

Over the past year, buyer鈥檚 agent commissions have slowly but steadily increased back to pre-settlement levels. That鈥檚 because in much of the country, buyers have over sellers, and that includes the ability to negotiate higher paydays for their agents.

As part of the settlement announcement in early 2024, NAR agreed to create new rules about the way commissions offered to buyer鈥檚 agents are communicated. Here鈥檚 how NAR describes the new rules:

鈥淏uyers and their agents will need to reach an agreement regarding how the agent will be compensated for their services and put it in writing prior to touring a home. 鈥� Offers of compensation (when a seller or a seller鈥檚 agent shares compensation with a buyer鈥檚 agent) can no longer be shared on Multiple Listing Services (MLS). 鈥� Offers of compensation are still an option but must be communicated off-MLS if a seller chooses to make an offer available.鈥�

Agents report differences in commission negotiations, depending on the market

As noted, the housing market has shifted in of buyers. There were 500,000-plus more sellers than buyers in the U.S. housing market in , the biggest disparity since Redfin started keeping track in 2013.

With so few buyers in the market, sellers are more likely to pay a higher commission to close a deal. But the power buyers have over sellers varies from market to market.

, a Redfin Premier real estate agent in Austin, TX, said most buyer鈥檚 agents now request a commission of 3%, up from 2.5%-2.75% prior to the NAR settlement.

鈥淎ustin鈥檚 market is slow, so buyers have a lot more power,鈥� he said. 鈥淏uyers can walk away if the seller does not pay the buyer鈥檚 agent commission, and they鈥檒l likely be able to find another home they like with a seller who is willing to pay what the buyer is asking for to offload their home. Since the NAR settlement, there has been a lot more discussion about commissions with clients, and more sellers are trying to counter with a lower commission rate, but in most cases, in today鈥檚 market, the buyer can stay firm.鈥�

In Kansas City, MO, many sellers are still paying the commission rate requested by buyers, according to local Redfin Premier agent .

鈥淚've had more sellers ask about offering no commission, or a low commission, since the new rules went into effect. But very few have opted to counter below what a buyer鈥檚 agent asks for,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here may be a little more negotiation now, but the end result is still typically the same鈥攁 seller paying 3%, or close to 3%, to the buyer鈥檚 agent.鈥�

In Minneapolis, agents say some buyers are willing to be more flexible with commission requests for their agents.

鈥淢ost buyers in our market have been coming in with an expectation of a 2.7% commission to their agent,鈥� said local Redfin Premier agent . 鈥淭hat said, I鈥檝e been seeing some flexibility lately, and I've had success negotiating it down to 2.5% in a number of cases.鈥�

Commissions for homes under $500,000 rise to highest level since 2023

Commissions rose slightly across all price tiers in the second quarter.

• For homes that sold for less than $500,000, the average buyer鈥檚 agent commission was 2.52%鈥攗p from 2.50% in the prior quarter and 2.45% a year earlier. It was the highest average commission for the price tier since the third quarter of 2023.
• For homes that sold for $500,000 to $999,999, the average buyer鈥檚 agent commission was 2.34%鈥攗p from 2.31% in the prior quarter and 2.31% a year earlier.
• For homes that sold for $1 million or more in the first quarter, the average buyer鈥檚 agent commission was 2.21%鈥攗p from an all-time low of 2.19% the previous quarter, but still down three basis points from 2.24% a year earlier.

鈥淎t the entry-level price point under $500,000, buyers are struggling to just purchase the house, so it is rare that a commission is negotiated,鈥� said Andrew Vallejo, the Austin Redfin agent. 鈥淏uilders are mostly paying 3% or more, so if there are any new homes in competition with our listings, we have to cover the buyer agent commission to stay competitive.鈥�

Redfin鈥檚 study reflects national commission rates. The company鈥檚 lower fee structure has saved customers over a billion dollars, and the company remains focused on keeping costs down for consumers.

To view the full report, including additional charts and methodology, please visit: .

About Redfin

Redfin is a technology-driven real estate company with the country's most-visited real estate brokerage website. As part of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), Redfin is creating an integrated homeownership platform from search to close to make the dream of homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyone. Redfin鈥檚 clients can see homes first with on-demand tours, easily apply for a home loan with Rocket Mortgage, and save thousands in fees while working with a top local agent.

You can find more information about Redfin and get the latest housing market data and research at . For more information about Rocket Companies, visit .

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Source: Redfin