The real estate industry is going through a major shake-up. A quiet revolution is happening in the housing market, and it's catching many by surprise. Home buyers in 2025 are stepping into a brand-new landscape, one where they’re no longer expected to blindly accept outdated commission rules or inflated costs. Instead, they’re starting to ask better questions like: How much do buyer’s agents charge? Are realtor fees negotiable in 2025? Do buyers have to use a realtor at all?
These aren’t just theoretical questions anymore. Thanks to seismic shifts in federal regulation and evolving buyer preferences, the answers are changing in real time. In fact, according to a Redfin-commissioned survey conducted by Ipsos in late 2024 and early 2025, more than half (54%) of real estate agents say their clients are actively negotiating commissions, a clear sign that the tide is turning in favor of buyer empowerment. The result? Buyers now have more control than ever before.
With the 2024 NAR-DOJ settlement disrupting decades-old commission norms, it's time to talk numbers, tech, and how you could save an average of $10,000 or more on your next home purchase simply by understanding how to navigate or even bypass traditional realtor commission rates in 2025.
The real estate industry is going through a major shake-up. A quiet revolution is happening in the housing market, and it's catching many by surprise. Home buyers in 2025 are stepping into a brand-new landscape, one where they’re no longer expected to blindly accept outdated commission rules or inflated costs. Instead, they’re starting to ask better questions like: How much do buyer’s agents charge? Are realtor fees negotiable in 2025? Do buyers have to use a realtor at all?
These aren’t just theoretical questions anymore. Thanks to seismic shifts in federal regulation and evolving buyer preferences, the answers are changing in real time. In fact, according to a Redfin-commissioned survey conducted by Ipsos in late 2024 and early 2025, more than half (54%) of real estate agents say their clients are actively negotiating commissions, a clear sign that the tide is turning in favor of buyer empowerment. The result? Buyers now have more control than ever before.
With the 2024 NAR-DOJ settlement disrupting decades-old commission norms, it's time to talk numbers, tech, and how you could save an average of $10,000 or more on your next home purchase simply by understanding how to navigate or even bypass traditional realtor commission rates in 2025.
The real estate industry is going through a major shake-up. A quiet revolution is happening in the housing market, and it's catching many by surprise. Home buyers in 2025 are stepping into a brand-new landscape, one where they’re no longer expected to blindly accept outdated commission rules or inflated costs. Instead, they’re starting to ask better questions like: How much do buyer’s agents charge? Are realtor fees negotiable in 2025? Do buyers have to use a realtor at all?
These aren’t just theoretical questions anymore. Thanks to seismic shifts in federal regulation and evolving buyer preferences, the answers are changing in real time. In fact, according to a Redfin-commissioned survey conducted by Ipsos in late 2024 and early 2025, more than half (54%) of real estate agents say their clients are actively negotiating commissions, a clear sign that the tide is turning in favor of buyer empowerment. The result? Buyers now have more control than ever before.
With the 2024 NAR-DOJ settlement disrupting decades-old commission norms, it's time to talk numbers, tech, and how you could save an average of $10,000 or more on your next home purchase simply by understanding how to navigate or even bypass traditional realtor commission rates in 2025.
The Old Way: 6% Commission Baked In
Traditionally, the real estate commission structure involved the seller paying around 5-6% of the home’s sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. On a $500,000 home, that’s $30,000 in commissions, often paid by the seller, but indirectly baked into the home price so the buyer technically pays for it.
Most buyers never questioned it. The fees felt fixed. But not anymore.
The New Era: Post-Settlement Flexibility
Thanks to a landmark 2024 settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the commission structure is undergoing a transformation. MLS platforms can no longer require sellers to offer buyer agent commission, meaning buyers are increasingly expected to pay their own agents directly.
This shift is massive, but opens the door to making things much more empowering for home buyers. Now that real estate commission negotiation is possible, buyers are free to negotiate or even buy a home agent-free.
What Realtor Fees Look Like in 2025
With the changes, here's what home buyers might expect to pay. Traditionally, buyer agent commission has hovered around 2.5% to 3% of the home purchase price, but in 2025, that number is now fully negotiable and can be any amount, depending on your arrangement. Some agents now offer flat fee buyer services, which can range from $1,000 to $5,000+ for a full suite of services. Others may offer hourly consulting, charging rates between $100 and $300 per hour, depending on their expertise and involvement.
And for those looking for a modern, leaner approach, tech-enabled tools like Homa let buyers handle the process independently or with minimal assistance - often for free - depending on the service level chosen.
Curious about how much are buyer realtor fees in 2025? The answer: it depends. Realtor commission rates in 2025 are highly variable, and many buyers are opting for low commission real estate agents or zero commission buyer agent models altogether. That's why it's important to understand your options and make sure you're ready to negotiate if you choose to hire an agent instead of buying a home without a realtor.
The Old Way: 6% Commission Baked In
Traditionally, the real estate commission structure involved the seller paying around 5-6% of the home’s sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. On a $500,000 home, that’s $30,000 in commissions, often paid by the seller, but indirectly baked into the home price so the buyer technically pays for it.
Most buyers never questioned it. The fees felt fixed. But not anymore.
The New Era: Post-Settlement Flexibility
Thanks to a landmark 2024 settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the commission structure is undergoing a transformation. MLS platforms can no longer require sellers to offer buyer agent commission, meaning buyers are increasingly expected to pay their own agents directly.
This shift is massive, but opens the door to making things much more empowering for home buyers. Now that real estate commission negotiation is possible, buyers are free to negotiate or even buy a home agent-free.
What Realtor Fees Look Like in 2025
With the changes, here's what home buyers might expect to pay. Traditionally, buyer agent commission has hovered around 2.5% to 3% of the home purchase price, but in 2025, that number is now fully negotiable and can be any amount, depending on your arrangement. Some agents now offer flat fee buyer services, which can range from $1,000 to $5,000+ for a full suite of services. Others may offer hourly consulting, charging rates between $100 and $300 per hour, depending on their expertise and involvement.
And for those looking for a modern, leaner approach, tech-enabled tools like Homa let buyers handle the process independently or with minimal assistance - often for free - depending on the service level chosen.
Curious about how much are buyer realtor fees in 2025? The answer: it depends. Realtor commission rates in 2025 are highly variable, and many buyers are opting for low commission real estate agents or zero commission buyer agent models altogether. That's why it's important to understand your options and make sure you're ready to negotiate if you choose to hire an agent instead of buying a home without a realtor.
The Old Way: 6% Commission Baked In
Traditionally, the real estate commission structure involved the seller paying around 5-6% of the home’s sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. On a $500,000 home, that’s $30,000 in commissions, often paid by the seller, but indirectly baked into the home price so the buyer technically pays for it.
Most buyers never questioned it. The fees felt fixed. But not anymore.
The New Era: Post-Settlement Flexibility
Thanks to a landmark 2024 settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the commission structure is undergoing a transformation. MLS platforms can no longer require sellers to offer buyer agent commission, meaning buyers are increasingly expected to pay their own agents directly.
This shift is massive, but opens the door to making things much more empowering for home buyers. Now that real estate commission negotiation is possible, buyers are free to negotiate or even buy a home agent-free.
What Realtor Fees Look Like in 2025
With the changes, here's what home buyers might expect to pay. Traditionally, buyer agent commission has hovered around 2.5% to 3% of the home purchase price, but in 2025, that number is now fully negotiable and can be any amount, depending on your arrangement. Some agents now offer flat fee buyer services, which can range from $1,000 to $5,000+ for a full suite of services. Others may offer hourly consulting, charging rates between $100 and $300 per hour, depending on their expertise and involvement.
And for those looking for a modern, leaner approach, tech-enabled tools like Homa let buyers handle the process independently or with minimal assistance - often for free - depending on the service level chosen.
Curious about how much are buyer realtor fees in 2025? The answer: it depends. Realtor commission rates in 2025 are highly variable, and many buyers are opting for low commission real estate agents or zero commission buyer agent models altogether. That's why it's important to understand your options and make sure you're ready to negotiate if you choose to hire an agent instead of buying a home without a realtor.
Why Buyers Are Pushing Back
More buyers are realizing that paying 3% to an agent who may not add significant value doesn't always make sense. According to a 2024 Clever survey, 34% of home buyers said they would be open to negotiating or bypassing buyer agent fees entirely.
Couple that with rising home prices and tighter budgets, and every percentage point saved becomes a bigger win.
The Tech Revolution: Homa and the Rise of Agent-Free Buying
Enter Homa, a platform designed for buying a home without an agent. Using AI-driven tools, smart listing analysis, and personalized checklists, Homa makes it possible to buy confidently without paying 3% to an agent.
With Homa, you can:
Tour homes on your own
Submit offers on agent-accepted contract
Track escrow steps in real time
Chat with a specially trained real estate AI 24/7
Understand your bargaining power when buying a home
Save money
It’s a tech-first, fee-light way to buy smarter in 2025. More importantly, it’s a strategy for real home buyer commission savings.
How to Negotiate Realtor Fees Like a Pro
If you do want an agent but don’t want to overpay, use these tips:
Ask for a sliding scale: If the home is over $500,000, ask for a lower percentage on anything above that amount.
Request flat-rate packages: Many agents now offer set-fee buyer services.
Use your leverage: Let agents know you're interviewing multiple options.
Split tasks: Offer to handle tours or paperwork if it reduces the fee.
Explore hybrid services: Platforms like Homa help you negotiate smarter even if you loop in limited agent help.
Want to know how to negotiate realtor fees confidently? Just ask your agent directly about alternatives. There’s no shame in asking how to ask your agent for a lower commission as they expect it in 2025.
The Math: What You Could Save
Let’s say you’re buying a $600,000 home. Here’s the breakdown:
Traditional agent (3%): $18,000
Negotiated flat fee: $4,000
Using Homa solo: Free
Potential savings: Up to $18,000.
This kind of commission rebate real estate model is changing the game. All that saved money could be used for your down payment, buying down your mortgage interest rate, renovations, furniture, moving expenses, starting an emergency fund, or more.
Common Questions from 2025 Buyers
Do home buyers pay realtor fees? In 2025, increasingly yes, buyer realtor fees are often paid directly.
Can you negotiate realtor commission as a buyer? Absolutely, and you should.
Do buyers have to use a realtor? No, you can legally buy a home without one.
How much do buyer’s agents charge? The range is wide, from a flat fee of a few thousand dollars to 3% of the home's price or more!
How do buyer's agents get paid? It depends on your agreement. Some still receive a portion from the seller, but others require direct buyer payment.
What to Watch Out For
Negotiating doesn’t mean going in blind. Keep these in mind:
Disclosure laws vary by state: Some require buyer-agent agreements upfront.
You may need to cover fees out of pocket: Lenders can’t always roll in agent costs.
Not all agents are flexible: But many are, especially newer agents eager to win clients.
Commission rules for home buyers vary widely: Make sure you read the fine print.
Beyond the Fees: Trends and Transparency
Real estate fee transparency is a top concern among younger buyers, especially as home buying costs in 2025 continue to rise. In this evolving environment, reducing real estate agent commission is a smart move for cost-conscious consumers. The commission changes in real estate in 2025 reflect growing pressure across the industry for more fairness and disclosure. Factors like the real estate commission lawsuit in 2024 and updated MLS commission disclosure rules are accelerating this push toward reform. Even traditional structures like FSBO and buyer agent commission models are shifting, often providing greater flexibility for buyers who want more control over how much they pay.
