Sellers Agency

Working with Real Estate Agents Q&A (NCREC) - Seller - 1_22_06-02-2025.pdf

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Do You Need a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home? Here’s What You Should Know

Selling your home is a big decision, and it’s natural to wonder: Do I need a real estate agent? How do they get paid? And what happens if I choose not to pay a buyer’s agent?

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Why Work with a Real Estate Agent as a Seller?

A real estate agent is your trusted guide, advocate, and expert throughout the selling process. Here’s what they do for you:

✅ Price your home competitively based on local market trends

✅ Market your home with professional photos, listings, and ads

✅ Handle showings, open houses, and scheduling

✅ Negotiate offers to get you the best price and terms

✅ Manage the paperwork and deadlines to keep everything on track

In short: a great agent helps you sell faster, for more money, and with less stress.

How Do Agents Get Paid?

Real estate agents are typically paid through a commission—a percentage of the final sale price of your home. The seller pays this commission at closing, and it’s usually split between the seller’s agent (your agent) and the buyer’s agent.

However, after a recent lawsuit involving the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sellers are no longer required to pay a buyer’s agent commission. This means you can decide whether or not to offer that as part of your listing.

Pros and Cons of Not Paying a Buyer’s Agent Commission

Pros:

✔️ You might save money by not offering a buyer’s agent commission.

✔️ It gives you more flexibility to negotiate directly with buyers.

Cons:

❌ Your home may get less exposure—some buyer’s agents may avoid showing homes without a commission offer.

❌ Buyers may need to pay their agent directly, which could make your home less appealing compared to others on the market.

❌ You might receive fewer offers or experience a longer time on the market.

❌ You may still end up negotiating to cover a buyer’s agent fee during the offer process.

The Bottom Line

Choosing whether or not to pay a buyer’s agent commission is a strategic decision—and a real estate agent can help you weigh the pros and cons based on your goals.

At the end of the day, a skilled agent is there to market your home, negotiate on your behalf, and make the entire selling process smoother. They’re your advocate from the moment you list your home to the day you hand over the keys.