If you’re preparing to sell a home in the Buckeye State, you’re likely reviewing recent sale prices in your neighborhood and estimating potential proceeds at closing. If it’s your first home sale — or your first in a while — you may also be asking: Who pays Realtor fees in Ohio? This question has become even more common since a major National Association of Realtors (NAR) court settlement changed how real estate agent compensation is communicated and negotiated nationwide. Beginning in August 2024, sellers are no longer presumed to cover the buyer’s agent commission, a shift from long-standing industry practice. So what does this mean for Ohio home sellers today? In this guide, we’ll explain who typically pays Realtor fees in Ohio, how commissions are working in the current housing market, and when covering a buyer’s agent fee may still make financial sense. You’ll also find an Ohio agent commission calculator to help you estimate potential costs.
Following the NAR settlement, some industry observers predicted homebuyers would feel pressured to pay their own Realtor fees, rerouting commission expenses away from sellers. However, this shift hasn’t materialized at scale — in Ohio or anywhere in the country. According to a nationwide HomeLight survey, 92% of top agents report that sellers are still paying their buyer’s agent commission. Why do most sellers continue covering the buyer’s Realtor fees? In short, the choice comes down to common-sense marketing in a hesitant housing market. Offering to pay the buyer’s agent commission and giving other concessions is a smart strategy to attract qualified buyers. If you’re planning an Ohio home sale, try the Ohio Real Estate Commission Calculator below. It lets you compare scenarios using typical statewide commission costs, which, combined, equal about 5.73% of your home’s listing price. However, you can adjust these based on the rates you expect to negotiate. With a single toggle, you can also compare the costs of paying both agents’ commissions versus covering only your listing agent’s fees. There is no state law or mandate in Ohio that requires a home seller to pay a buyer’s agent compensation. Like everywhere else in the U.S., commission terms are fully negotiable between the parties involved. Still, as HomeLight’s survey revealed, most sellers choose to offer this incentive because it can: While at first glance refusing to pay the buyer’s agent’s commission may seem like a money-saving strategy, it can actually reduce your home’s visibility, limit your offer options, and increase your home’s days on market (DOM).Who pays Realtor fees in Ohio?
Ohio real estate agent commission calculator
Are Ohio sellers required to pay the buyer’s agent?