Short answerNo. Offering compensation to a buyer's agent is your choice, and the amount is negotiable. Buyers now sign a written agreement with their own agent that sets that agent's pay. You decide whether to offer help toward it, as part of your listing terms or later in a negotiation, and that choice changes your net and your buyer pool.
What changed?
Since August 2024, buyers working with an agent sign a written agreement before touring that states how their agent is paid. Sellers can still choose to offer compensation to the buyer's agent or a credit to the buyer, but nothing requires it.
How do I decide?
- Offering it can widen your pool, because many buyers, especially those using FHA, VA, or USDA loans, have little extra cash to pay their own agent.
- Not offering it keeps more money with you, and you can still negotiate it with a specific buyer later.
- A middle path is offering a set amount or a credit you can adjust once you see offers.
We set your choice in your listing paperwork and revisit it as offers come in. See the effect on your net: net proceeds calculator. The buyer's view of the same topic: how buyer agent compensation works for buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Is buyer agent compensation set by law?
No. It is negotiable and set by agreement.
Can I change my decision after listing?
Yes. You can adjust your listing terms or negotiate it in a specific offer.
Keep reading
Want to know what a buyer's inspector may find before they do?
Book a free pre listing condition walk. I walk the house with you, point out what inspectors and FHA, VA, and USDA appraisers tend to flag, and give you planning ranges so you can decide what to fix, credit, price in, or disclose.
Book a condition walkOr call or text (812) 525-5489, or email john@yourpropertynegotiator.com.
The condition walk is a REALTOR® and contractor evaluation, not a home inspection, and it does not replace one. If you have already signed a listing agreement with another agent, please take these questions to your agent.
Written by John Long, REALTOR®, 1 Percent Lists Indiana Real Estate. Working contractor who has priced hundreds of home inspection repair requests. Former labor relations negotiator for a major manufacturer and U.S. Coast Guard veteran.
John Long, REALTOR® · 1 Percent Lists Indiana Real Estate · (812) 525-5489 · yourpropertynegotiator.com
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional home inspection, and not legal, tax, insurance, or lending advice. Ask a real estate attorney about contracts and disclosure, a CPA about taxes, your lender about loan rules, and a licensed inspector or tradesperson about your house. Nothing here guarantees a sale price, net proceeds, repair cost, payment, timeline, appraisal, inspection result, or loan approval. Cost figures are planning estimates, not bids. I own Wardmark Property Operations LLC, a contracting company. You are always free to use any contractor you choose.