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.
