Buyer-Agent Compensation: What Home Sellers Should Understand

Jeff Quintin | The Quintin Group at eXp Realty
Original YouTube upload: 2024-09-23. Written version updated November 13, 2026.

This article brings an educational recording into our website's learning library. The video remains in its original form; older market conditions, brokerage branding, offers and program terms in the recording belong to that period.

Watch the original video on YouTube

Home sellers can choose whether to offer buyer-broker compensation and negotiate its amount. It is not mandatory, and there is no standard commission rate. Jeff's September 2024 video discusses the changes to compensation practices. This article distinguishes that original discussion from current NAR guidance checked November 13, 2026.

Compensation is a choice

A seller may authorize an offer of compensation or negotiate payment as part of a transaction. NAR states that an agent needs the seller's written approval for an offer or payment to a buyer's agent.

Offers of compensation do not belong in the MLS

NAR guidance permits other communication channels for approved offers, while prohibiting their placement on MLS platforms. A seller may also consider buyer concessions, which are a separate negotiating subject.

Buyers must not be steered by compensation

NAR says agents must not limit the homes shown or steer buyers away because of the amount of compensation offered. Older language suggesting a listing must offer compensation to be shown should not be treated as the rule.

Current sources: NAR consumer guide and NAR buyer guidance.

Compare the complete offer

When an offer includes a compensation or concession request, evaluate it with the price, financing, contingencies and expected net proceeds. Discuss the terms with your agent and attorney rather than assume one arrangement fits every transaction.

Source basis: verified channel/video metadata and the original accompanying article. This written adaptation is not a verbatim transcript. Where current sources are linked, their explanation updates the written article rather than changing the historical video.