For decades, home sellers assumed they’d need to pay a 6% real estate commission to close the deal. But times are changing. With new industry rules and more seller-friendly options available, that outdated standard is quickly losing ground. In fact, according to recent data from Redfin and reporting by Clever Real Estate, commission rates are already trending down—and sellers are taking notice.
So what’s replacing the old 6% model? More homeowners are turning to flexible options like flat fee MLS listings, where you can get the same exposure without paying thousands in commission.
Let’s break down what’s happening and how you can take advantage.
Why the 6% Commission Is on the Way Out
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement, which took effect in August 2024, reshaped the rules around buyer agent fees. Sellers are no longer required to offer a commission to buyer’s agents or advertise it in the MLS. Now, buyers must have written agreements with their agents—and commissions are fully negotiable.
These changes, along with market pressure, are causing commissions to shrink. According to Clever Real Estate and Redfin data, buyer’s agent fees dropped from 2.45% to 2.34% in one year, and experts predict they’ll continue to fall.
What does this mean for you as a home seller? You have more control—and more options.
Is a Full 6% Commission Ever Worth It?
In some cases, paying a full-service agent may still make sense. For example:
You’re short on time and want full-service support.
The agent offers extensive marketing like 3D tours, social media, and open houses.
They’re experienced in high-end or competitive markets.
But those cases are becoming less common. Many sellers are finding they can keep more of their profit by going another route.
A Smarter Alternative
Instead of paying a percentage-based commission, flat fee MLS services allow you to list your home on the MLS for a one-time fee. That means your property appears on top real estate sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin—just like any other listing—without handing over 5–6% of your home’s sale price.
With List With Freedom, you can:
List your home on the MLS for as low as $89
Save up to $20,000 or more in commission
Stay in control while getting expert tools and visibility
We’ve been helping sellers for over 20 years, and more than 100,000 homeowners have used our platform to list smart and save big.
Do You Still Need to Pay Buyer Agent Commission?
Not necessarily. With the new rules, sellers aren’t required to offer this fee upfront. However, offering a competitive buyer agent commission (like 1–2.5%) can still make your listing more attractive, especially to buyers who need help with closing costs.
With flat fee MLS services like ours, you decide if and how much commission to offer. That means you can keep more of your equity while staying competitive in today’s market.
The Bottom Line
The 6% commission model is becoming outdated, and sellers have more power than ever to choose how they sell—and what they pay. Whether you want full control, flexible pricing, or to simply save thousands, flat fee MLS listing services like List With Freedom are making it easier than ever.
Ready to skip the 6% and keep more of your equity?
List your home starting at just $89 and take control of your sale.
Visit www.listwithfreedom.com to get started today.
