If the seller refuses to pay, you must cover the fee as part of your closing costs.
There are now three primary ways your realtor gets paid at closing: how much do you pay a realtor when buying
Based on current national averages, here is what you might expect to pay at common home price points: Home Price 2.5% Commission 3% Commission $500,000 $750,000 New Rules for Buyers If the seller refuses to pay, you must
As of 2026, you generally pay a buyer's agent commission ranging from of the home's purchase price . While historically the seller covered this fee, recent legal changes (the NAR settlement ) mean you are now directly responsible for negotiating and potentially paying your agent's fee yourself. Who Actually Pays? Who Actually Pays
You can technically "finance" the fee by offering a higher purchase price in exchange for a seller credit that covers your agent’s commission. Key Cost Benchmarks (2026)
You can negotiate for the seller to cover your agent's fee as a "concession" in your purchase offer. This remains common as it helps attract buyers who may not have extra cash for fees.