T
he old industry standard of a 5‑6% split between buyer and seller agents was meant to give way to a new era of separate negotiations, but home sellers are still paying almost the same fees. Eric Itakura stands in his Los Gatos home on Sept. 16, 2025, a snapshot of the status quo. In response to price‑fixing allegations, the National Association of Realtors adopted new commission rules, yet a year later the rates have barely changed. Despite the promise of reform, sellers continue to shoulder the traditional percentage, showing that the shift in policy has not yet translated into lower costs for homeowners.