S
ince the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) commission lawsuit settlement took effect in August 2024, real estate professionals have been wondering if their commissions will change. A HousingWire survey provides insight into how the landscape is shifting.

    Buy-side commissions remain largely unchanged for now, with 58.8% of agents reporting no changes, while nearly 30% saw a decrease and roughly 12% reported increases. The market is moving cautiously, with 77.2% of buy-side commissions still being fixed-percentage agreements, but 17.5% are now negotiated per client request.

    Commission rates haven't collapsed, with 90% of agents earning between 2% to 3% on the buy side. However, negotiations are creeping in, and a fraction (less than 8%) say they're earning 2% or less.

    Sell-side commissions also remain largely unchanged, with 63.2% remaining the same, but 20.5% have increased while 16.4% have decreased. Sell-side structures mirror the buy side, with 86.6% being fixed percentages and 12.3% negotiated per client request.

    The rates themselves tell a similar story, with about 82% of respondents reporting a sell-side commission of 2% to 3%. One notable shift is that 65.5% of sellers now play a role in negotiating the buy-side commission, reflecting the post-settlement drive toward transparency and consumer control.

    It's been over a year since the NAR settlement was announced, and the residential real estate commission structure has shown resilience. The survey data paints a clear picture: while most commissions have remained steady, flexibility and client involvement are on the rise.

    Consumers are becoming more engaged, and agents must be more consultative than ever. This moment is less about disruption and more about evolution. Agents who lean into transparency, negotiate effectively, and clearly communicate their value proposition will thrive in this shifting environment.