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Buyers' agents work for FREE.
Dated: August 30 2023
Views: 7
In the world of real estate, it's a well-known fact that realtors earn commissions from home sales. Typically, sellers pay the real estate agent's commission, leaving buyers with the impression that their services come at no cost. While this is true to some extent, there's a bit more to the story when it comes to realtors who work with buyers. In this blog post, we're going to reveal the not-so-secret world of buyer's agents and how they essentially work for free.
1. Sellers Foot the Bill
First and foremost, it's crucial to understand the traditional commission structure in real estate. In most cases, the seller pays both their own agent's commission (the listing agent) and the buyer's agent's commission. This means that when a buyer hires a realtor, the seller is responsible for compensating that buyer's agent. So, while it may seem like buyers are getting free services sellers are covering the costs.
2. Commission Split
Here's where the magic happens: once the seller has paid the total commission, it's typically split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent. The exact split varies by location and market, but typically, the two agents share the commission equally. This means the buyer's agent receives a portion of the total commission.
3. No Extra Cost to the Buyer
Buyers, however, don't incur any additional out-of-pocket expenses for hiring a buyer's agent. Their agent's commission comes from the pool of money set aside by the seller, which is part of the overall transaction costs. So, while it's technically the seller who is paying both agents, buyers don't have to worry about extra fees.
4. Unbiased Advice
One of the most significant advantages of having a buyer's agent is the unbiased advice they provide. Their goal is to help you find the right home, not to push a particular property. They're there to guide you through the process, offer market insights, negotiate on your behalf, and ensure you're making informed decisions.
5. Expertise and Market Knowledge
Realtors who work with buyers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. They know the local market inside and out, which can be invaluable when it comes to finding the best deals, understanding neighborhood dynamics, and making informed decisions about your purchase.
6. Negotiation Skills
Buyer's agents are skilled negotiators. They work tirelessly to get you the best possible deal, whether it's in terms of the sale price, repairs, or contingencies. Their expertise can save you money and help you avoid common pitfalls in negotiations.
7. Paperwork and Legalities
The home buying process involves a significant amount of paperwork and legalities. Buyer's agents handle all of this for you, ensuring that documents are completed accurately and deadlines are met. Their attention to detail can help prevent costly mistakes.
In conclusion, while buyers technically don't pay their agents directly, it's essential to understand that the seller indirectly compensates the buyer's agent as part of the overall transaction. The value that buyer's agents bring to the table, including their expertise, negotiation skills, and guidance, far outweighs any perceived cost. So, when you work with a buyer's agent, you're getting a dedicated professional who's committed to helping you find your dream home, often at no additional cost to you.
Robyn Feld
This career quickly turned into a passion for helping others achieve their goals of homeownership. And proving to myself that sometimes you just need to take a terrifying leap into the unknown to real....
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Copyright © MFRMLS.com All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated Last updated on September 27, 2026 6:11 PM UTC The listing information on this page last changed on Last updated on September 27, 2026 6:11 PM UTCd. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of MFR MLS.
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Updated on September 27, 2026 6:11 PM UTC
© 2026 Dayton Area Board of Realtors. All rights reserved. Information deemed to be reliable but not guaranteed. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes from Dayton Area Board of Realtors and the Broker Reciprocity Program.sm. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Pivot Realty Group are marked with the BR logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers. Listing broker has attempted to offer accurate data, but buyers are
Data last updated: September 27, 2026 6:06 PM UTC and updating occurs daily
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange Program of Metro Search, Inc. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Pivot Realty Group are marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo or the Internet Data Exchange thumbnail logo and detailed information about each listing includes the name of the listing broker.
© 2026 Metro Search, Inc.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes
in part from the Broker Reciprocity™ program of the Multiple
Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati. Real estate listings held by
brokerage firms other than Pivot Realty Group are marked with the MLS ™ logo
(the small logo to the left) and detailed information about them includes
the name of the listing brokers. The information herein is furnished by the property owner in good faith
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawl. Neither listing broker(s) nor SE IN BD REALTORS shall be held responsible for typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless.
