Now that the dust has settled and the media frenzy has moved on, let’s have a real conversation about what’s going on in the world of real estate commission. No scare tactics, no legal lecture—just real talk from someone still in the trenches, helping buyers and sellers every day.
The biggest change? We can’t advertise the buyer’s agent commission in the MLS anymore. That’s it. Sellers never had to offer it in the first place—but for years, it’s just been standard practice. And spoiler alert: in most cases, it still is.
Let’s pour a cup and talk about what’s really going on.
☕ Welcome to the Tea Party: What’s New-ish?
Here’s the short and sweet: the rules changed, but the sky didn’t fall.
The main shift is that we, as listing agents, can no longer publish the buyer’s agent commission in the MLS. That doesn’t mean sellers can’t offer it—it just means we can’t advertise it the way we used to.
What’s happening in real life? In my experience, most sellers are still offering to pay a buyer agent commission. Some will say, “Let’s see the offer first,” but those are rare. The majority still see the value in it, especially if they want to attract serious buyers—many of whom simply can’t afford to cover that commission themselves.
🍵 Real-Life Refill: What It Looks Like Behind the Scenes
Here’s some real-world tea from recent transactions:
I’ve had buyers who needed help with closing costs and asked the seller to cover more of the buyer agency commission than was being offered. In those cases, the sellers stood firm and said, “We’re not paying your side more than we’re paying ours.” And honestly? That was more than fair—and pretty thoughtful.
I’ve also had buyers agree to pay a portion of the commission themselves when the seller didn’t offer the full amount. But we talked about it before we made an offer. It wasn’t a surprise, and everyone went into the deal knowing exactly what to expect.
The key in all of this? Clear, up-front communication. Between agents. Between clients. No assumptions, no guessing games.
🫖 No Sugarcoating: Why Sellers Still Need to Sweeten the Pot
Here’s what I’ve noticed—and I’m not the only one:
Buyers, especially first-time buyers, are already stretched thin. Between down payments, closing costs, inspections, and moving expenses, they don’t have much left in the piggy bank. Asking them to also cover their agent’s commission can be the thing that makes a deal fall apart before it even starts.
I’ve had buyers say, “If the seller’s not covering at least part of the commission, I don’t even want to see the house.” And I don’t blame them—some people just don’t have that kind of extra cash, and it’s not a reflection of how serious or qualified they are.
So when sellers don’t offer compensation, they could be limiting the number of offers they get. Fewer showings, fewer eyes on the home, longer days on market. That hurts the seller more than the buyer in the long run.
🍯 Final Sip: Real Estate Is Still About People
These new rules aren’t about taking sides—they’re about adjusting. And so far? We’re doing just fine.
If you’re a buyer, don’t be afraid to ask questions and be honest about what you can afford. If you’re a seller, think about what will make your home the most attractive to the widest group of buyers. If you’re an agent, keep the conversation open and the expectations clear.
We’re not in the Wild West here—we’re just at a slightly different kind of tea party.
And if you’re in the mood for more real estate tea…
👉 Check out my Facebook post where I spilled the tea on appraisals—because that’s another part of the process that has buyers and sellers scratching their heads lately.
☕ Or read my blog on closing costs, where I break down what they really look like in Upstate South Carolina—no calculator required.
Got questions about how real estate commission works now, not nine months ago? I’m always happy to chat—no pressure, no jargon, and definitely no cold tea. And if you want to keep up with the latest real estate tea I’m spilling in Upstate SC, subscribe to my YouTube channel where I share what I’m seeing and hearing in the market—straight from the front lines.
