Can You Still Sell a Home Without Paying Buyer Agent Commission?

If you're getting ready to sell your home, you’ve probably asked:
Do I really have to pay a buyer’s agent commission… and what about my own agent’s fees?

With real estate commissions under the microscope lately — and more homeowners looking for ways to keep more equity — it’s a great time to explore your options.

So let’s answer the big one first:

Can you still sell a home without paying buyer agent commission?

Yes, you can.
But here’s what most sellers miss:
You can also skip the listing agent commission entirely — and still sell successfully.

Let’s break down what’s changed in 2025, how seller-paid commissions work now, and how platforms like ListLean are helping sellers save on both sides of the deal.

Understanding Commission the Old Way

Traditionally, real estate agents operated on a 5–6% total commission model:

• ~3% went to the listing agent (the one helping the seller)
• ~3% went to the buyer’s agent

And the seller paid both.

That means on a $600,000 home, you could be handing over $36,000 in commission at closing — even if the home sells quickly or easily.

What’s Changed in 2025?

In response to the NAR settlement and industry pressure, commission structures are no longer baked into the MLS or assumed in every deal.

• Sellers no longer have to offer buyer agent commission through the MLS
• Buyer agents must now negotiate their fee directly with their client, the buyer
• Sellers have more freedom to choose if they want to work with a listing agent at all

Bottom line:
You're not required to pay anyone a commission — unless you choose to.

Skipping Buyer Agent Commission: Yes, It’s Possible

In today’s market, many buyers:

✅ Are working without agents
✅ Are willing to pay their own agent’s fee
✅ Are open to negotiating directly with FSBO sellers

That means you can sell your home without automatically offering a buyer agent commission.
If a buyer submits an offer with a request for compensation, you can always choose to accept, decline, or counter.

You have control.

But Here’s Where the Real Savings Happen…

Even if you decide to offer a small buyer agent fee to attract more interest…
You can still save thousands by avoiding the listing agent commission altogether.

That’s where FSBO — and ListLean — comes in.

What If You Don’t Want to Use a Listing Agent?

You don’t have to.

Many sellers are confident handling some parts of the sale — especially with the help of tools and templates. You can:

• Set your own price
• Respond to buyer inquiries
• Show the home on your schedule
• Negotiate directly (or with help from a transaction coordinator)

You stay in control — and skip the 3% listing commission.

How ListLean Helps You Do That

At ListLean, we make it easy to sell your home without a listing agent — and without giving up visibility or legal compliance.

You get:

• 📌 A professional listing for a flat one-time fee
• 📄 Step-by-step guidance on disclosures and forms
• 💬 Support when you need it — no pressure, no percentage cut
• 🧾 Optional add-ons like contract review or TC services if needed

No 3% listing commission.
No contracts locking you into an agent.
Just affordable, flexible help when you need it.

When You Might Still Offer Buyer Agent Commission

Some sellers still offer a small buyer agent commission to attract more interest from represented buyers — especially in slower markets.

But now, you can offer:

• A flat fee (e.g. $5,000 instead of 3%)
• A reduced % (e.g. 1% or 1.5%)
• Nothing at all, and wait for direct buyers

There’s no rule. It’s all up to you.

A Quick Example of the Savings

Let’s say your home sells for $600,000:

That’s $35,905 more in your pocket — just by doing it smarter.

Final Thoughts

So… can you still sell a home without paying buyer agent commission?

Yes. And even better — you can skip the listing agent commission too.

Thanks to industry changes and flat-fee platforms like ListLean, sellers now have more control, more flexibility, and more money at closing.

No agents required.
No 6% assumptions.
Just a smarter way to sell.

Want to sell your home without giving away your equity?
Explore our flat fee plans and keep more of what’s yours — with the support you need, and nothing you don’t.

‍