When the real estate industry changed its commission rules in August 2024, you might have thought buyer-agent commissions were headed the way of avocado-green appliances. Sellers were no longer expected to automatically offer compensation to a buyer’s agent through the MLS, and suddenly everyone asked: “Great, does that mean sellers don’t have to pay it anymore?”

Technically, sellers were never locked into a government-set commission. The 2024 change came from the National Association of Realtors settlement — not a new federal law — and reinforced that commissions are negotiable. Buyer agents now generally need written agreements spelling out compensation before touring homes, and offers of buyer-agent compensation no longer can be posted on the MLS. Sellers still may agree to pay it.

And many do.

According to Clever Real Estate’s February 2026 agent survey, the national average total commission is 5.70% — about 2.88% to the listing side and 2.82% to the buyer side. In Massachusetts, Clever reports an average of roughly 5.56% total, with 2.90% on the listing side and 2.67% on the buyer side.

So much for the great commission clearance sale.

In fact, buyer-agent compensation has edged upward. Clever says the national buyer-agent average rose from 2.67% in March 2025 to 2.82% in February 2026. Redfin’s actual transaction data tells a similar story: Buyer-agent commissions averaged 2.43% in Q2 2025, versus 2.38% a year earlier.

Why? Because real estate remains a market, not a math worksheet. Many buyers already are stretching for down payments and closing costs. Requiring them to bring another sizable fee in cash can shrink the buyer pool. The only way banks finance the buyer-agent commission is if it’s rolled into the offer price and offered as a seller’s credit. In markets where buyers have negotiating power, sellers have continued agreeing to buyer-agent compensation to make their homes competitive and help strong offers come together.

There’s also a bigger point: Good representation has value. A strong listing agent doesn’t simply put a sign in the yard, and a strong buyer agent doesn’t merely unlock doors. Pricing, marketing, negotiations, inspections, appraisal issues, financing problems and getting a transaction safely to closing take skill and work.

Yes, negotiate commissions. Ask questions. Understand exactly what you’re paying for. But don’t confuse “negotiable” with “worthless.” Pay great professionals fairly for great work. Clients should expect hustle, expertise and advocacy — and professionals who deliver that should be compensated accordingly.

Because in real estate, saving a fraction of a percent isn’t much of a bargain if it costs you thousands somewhere else.

References: National Association of Realtors, What the NAR Settlement Means for Home Buyers and Sellers; Clever Real Estate, Average Real Estate Agent Commission Rates: 2026 Survey and Massachusetts Commission Rates: 2026 Survey; Redfin, Buyer’s Agent Commissions Tick Up to Pre-NAR Settlement Levels.

Kim Foemmel
Foemmel Fine Homes
1 Lumber Street, Suite 207C
Hopkinton, MA
(508) 808-1149
Kim.Foemmel@gmail.com
FoemmelFineHomes.com

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