How Buying & Selling Just Changed

**SELLING – How it used to work:** When selling a home, the seller would agree to pay their agent a commission, which would be split with the buyer’s agent.

**What’s different now:** Sellers don’t have to offer to pay the buyer’s agent upfront anymore. They can decide whether they want to do that on a case-by-case basis. However, they still have to pay their own agent the agreed fee. Some sellers might still offer to pay the buyer’s agent to make their house more appealing, and to attract a larger audience of buyers who can make stronger offers on the property because they aren’t coming out of pocket an additional 2.5%. Others might wait to see what the buyer asks for in their offer and decide then. Now, the buyer’s agent’s commission is part of the negotiation between the buyer and seller.

**What’s the same:** Sellers never had to pay the buyer’s agent, but most did because it helped attract more offers. This probably won’t change much—most sellers will still offer some payment to the buyer’s agent.

Feel free to ask any questions!