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The Quiet Commission Increase No One Is Talking About — And Why Buyers Should Care
While most headlines in today’s housing market focus on mortgage rates and affordability, a quieter shift is happening behind the scenes—one that hits homebuyers where it hurts most: their wallets.
According to a recent Consumer Policy Center (CPC) report, buyer-agent commissions—long considered stable at around 2.5%—are now climbing toward 3% in many markets across the country.
It sounds small.
Half a percent.
But on a typical home price?
It’s not inconsequential.
A 3% buyer-agent commission on a $400,000 home is $12,000—a $2,000 increase over the standard 2.5%. A 3% buyer-agent commission on a $600,000 home is $18,000—a $3,000 increase over the standard 2.5%. On a $1 million home, it’s an extra $5,000 buyers indirectly pay for. And in a housing market already stretched to its breaking point, this trend is more than troubling. It’s a sign of structural issues that buyers can no longer afford to ignore.
Why Are Buyer-Agent Commissions Creeping Up?
The CPC report makes it clear: some buyer agents are quietly increasing their expected commission from 2.5% to 3%—and often, buyers don’t even realize it’s happening.
If the buyer does not catch it – they pay it.
Buyer Agents are building in some fluff at 3% to be able to negotiate back down to 2.5% if needed.
And here’s the kicker:
These higher commissions don’t mean buyers get better service.
They just mean buyers pay more.
The Cost Burden Is Already Crushing Buyers
To be frank, the 2024–2026 housing market is stacked against buyers.
- Home prices are still near record highs
- Mortgage rates are double what they were just a few years ago
- Inventory remains historically low
- Wage growth hasn’t kept up with housing inflation
And now, on top of all that?
Buyer-agent commissions inching up to 3%—quietly, without fanfare, and often without explanation.
This is happening at the exact moment buyers can least afford it.
What Can You Do?
You have already done one of the most important things – read this blog and understand the issue.
Also, and very importantly, there are attorneys, with full fiduciary duty to the buyer, that know the games being played by agents that will protect your interests. Such a firm is www.mintzerlegal.com .
Another way to protect yourself from commission creep – use a buyer agent that offers buyer rebates. See our other blog on this that we recently just penned.
In a market where every dollar counts, informed buyers can save thousands by simply refusing to accept outdated structures and inflated fees.
Final Thought
Housing policy won’t fix affordability overnight. Mortgage rates won’t magically fall back to 3%. Home prices won’t suddenly plunge.
But buyers can control one thing right now:
How much they pay in real estate commissions. Don’t overpay!
The CPC report shines a light on a problem the industry hoped no one would notice. Now buyers have the chance—and the responsibility—to push back.
