Real Estate Commission Rates in 2026
Last reviewed 2026-10-28
Since the NAR settlement took effect in August 2024, there is no “standard” commission — but there are observed market rates. Sellers offering buyer-agent compensation average ~2.4% (Redfin, Q1 2025), listing-side commissions run ~2.5–2.8%, and sellers paying both sides land around 5.4–5.7% combined.
The numbers
| Commission | Observed rate | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer-agent commission (seller-offered) | ~2.40% average | Q1 2025 average per Redfin. Dipped to 2.36% in Q3 2024 right after the settlement took effect, then stabilized around 2.4%. Under-$500k homes average ~2.49%; $1M+ homes ~2.17%. Q2 2025 ran ~2.43%. | Redfin, May 2025 report |
| Listing-agent commission | ~2.5–2.8% | The seller's own side. Fully negotiable since the settlement — no board or MLS sets it. Discount brokerages and flat-fee models price lower; full-service agents higher. | Redfin, May 2025 report |
| Combined commission (both sides) | ~5.4–5.7% | Observed conventional range when a seller offers buyer-agent compensation. Not a rule or a standard — an observed market range that varies by market and negotiation. | Landian (2026); HousingWire (Q2 2025) — secondary aggregation, soft |
What the NAR settlement changed
Buyer-agent compensation no longer displays on the MLS
In effect since August 17, 2024
Offers of compensation moved off-MLS. Sellers may still offer buyer-agent compensation directly, but it is no longer advertised through the MLS feed.
Written buyer agreements required before touring
In effect since August 17, 2024
Buyers must sign a written agreement with their agent before home tours, specifying the compensation the buyer agent will (or won't) seek.
Compensation is fully negotiable — in both directions
In effect since August 17, 2024
Nothing is standard anymore. Sellers still offered buyer-side compensation on roughly 60–65% of listings in post-settlement reporting — negotiation, not obligation.
How sellers decide what to offer
- Offering buyer-agent comp widens your buyer pool. That's why ~60–65% of sellers still do it even though it's optional.
- Price tier matters. Redfin shows under-$500k homes average ~2.49% buyer-agent comp while $1M+ homes average ~2.17% — higher-priced homes can attract buyers with a lower offer.
- Negotiate the listing side hardest. It's the largest single lever and, post-settlement, explicitly decoupled from any “standard.”
Where this fits in your net
Commission is usually the largest seller cost, but it isn't the only one. See what it costs to sell a house for the full line-item picture, closing costs: buyer vs. seller for who pays what at the table, and sell vs. stay to weigh selling against holding.
FAQ
What is the average real estate commission in 2026?
Buyer-agent commissions offered by sellers average about 2.4% of the sale price (Redfin, Q1 2025), and listing-agent commissions typically run ~2.5–2.8%. Combined, sellers paying both sides observe roughly 5.4–5.7% — a market range, not a fixed standard, and every piece of it is negotiable.
Do I still have to pay a buyer's agent commission?
No — since the NAR settlement took effect in August 2024, offering buyer-agent compensation is a choice, not an obligation. In practice, most sellers (roughly 60–65% per post-settlement reporting) still offer something, because it widens the buyer pool for their listing.
What changed with the NAR settlement?
Three things: buyer-agent compensation no longer displays on the MLS (since Aug 17, 2024), buyers must sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes, and all compensation is explicitly negotiable on both sides.