The short answer: in most deals, buyers don’t have to pay out of pocket for their agent. Your agent is typically paid from the proceeds of the seller’s sale of the home.
That surprises a lot of people. Here’s how it works and what to check before you sign a Buyers Agency Agreement.
How buyer’s agents typically get paid
When a home sells, a lot of money moves around. In most situations, the buyer’s agent’s fee comes out of the seller’s proceeds, so you don’t pay anything to them directly.
The key point is that the fee is negotiated and written into the Buyers Agency Agreement, agreed to and signed by the buyer and their agent. No law sets a standard rate, and every agent decides what they charge.
“Typically” doesn’t mean “always”
Notice the word typically. A seller can offer less than your agent’s minimum fee, and then your written buyer agreement determines what happens next. Before you sign, ask:
What is your fee, and is it a percentage or a flat amount?
What happens if the seller offers less?
Do I owe anything if I buy a home the seller isn’t paying compensation on?
How long does the agreement last, and can I end it early?
My take
I tell buyers my number up front: my minimum fee is 2.5%. Any agent who won’t tell you their fee before you sign is a red flag. Because I never asked a buyer to sign one of these agreements before it became state law requiring me to, were you to ever become unhappy with your representation, I will cancel the agreement if you ask. Of course, I work very hard to ensure you are happy throughout the process and have never needed to do this!
Common questions
Do I pay my buyer’s agent directly?
Usually not. The fee is typically paid from the seller’s proceeds, but read your agreement to confirm.
Is the fee negotiable?
Yes. There’s no standard rate, so ask every agent you interview.
What if the seller won’t pay the buyers agents fee?
Your agreement dictates how things are handled. Ask about this before you sign.
Do I have to sign something before touring homes?
Though this is open to interpretation and some agents do require this first, I do not. I’m happy to get you out to see home(s) one time so I can demonstrate why I am the one you want to work with before asking you to sign.
Want to talk through it for your situation? Call or text me at 206-931-8706
© 2026 Fletch Newland Real Estate – Spire One Realty – Mount Lake Terrace, WA.
This post is general information, not legal advice.