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uyer‑agent commissions rose to an average of 2.42 % in Q3 2025, up from 2.36 % a year earlier, according to a Redfin data study released Dec. 8. The increase followed a dip in August 2024 when the National Association of Realtors (NAR) introduced new rules, but the rates quickly recovered and remain above last year’s level.

    The rebound is linked to buyers’ growing market power. With a slower market, sellers now face more competition and buyers can negotiate higher commissions for their agents. “If demand were high and homes were selling fast, we would see more sellers offering a lower commission to buyer’s agents,” said Chicago Redfin Premier agent Beth Behling. “Now the market is much slower, and buyers have negotiating power over sellers…buyers can ask for a higher commission knowing they may be the only offer on the table.”

    Commission percentages also vary by home price. In Q3, agents on sales under $500,000 earned an average of 2.52 %, slightly above the 2.5 % seen in Q1 and matching Q2. For homes priced at $1 million or more, the average commission fell to 2.22 %, a modest rise from 2.21 % in Q2 and 2.19 % in Q1.

    Whether this trend will persist depends on a potential shift toward seller‑favored terms. If sellers begin demanding lower buyer‑agent rates or require buyers to pay for their own agents, the current structure could change. Consumer Policy Center researchers note that most buyer agents still request 2.5‑3 % of the final sale price, indicating that a full separation of commission fees remains a work in progress.