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Who Pays Realtor Fees in Florida?
HomeLight
Real Estate
2 hrs ago
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If you’re selling a home in Florida, you may be asking: Who pays Realtor fees in Florida? This question has been in the spotlight since last year’s rule changes tied to a landmark court settlement involving the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Under new rules that went into effect in August 2024, home sellers are no longer automatically expected to pay the buyer’s agent, breaking with a 100-year-old tradition. But has the NAR settlement really changed the way things work in the Sunshine State?

In this post, we’ll explain who typically pays Realtor fees in Florida, how commissions work under the new rules, and when it might make sense to cover the buyer’s agent costs. We’ll also share a Florida-specific commission calculator so you can estimate your costs and weigh what Realtor fees you’re willing to pay.

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Who pays Realtor fees in Florida?

While the NAR settlement opened the door for buyers to pay their own agents, that shift hasn’t fully happened — in Florida or nationwide. According to a recent HomeLight survey of top agents, 92% say sellers are still covering the buyer’s agent commission.

Why? Florida’s housing market has pockets of active competition, but it’s also been affected by higher mortgage rates and affordability challenges. Offering to pay the buyer’s agent commission — and sometimes other concessions — is still a proven way to attract more offers in a slow market.

In practice, most Florida sellers continue to offer buyer’s agent compensation, especially in situations where:

  • Higher mortgage rates have cooled buyer demand
  • Buyers are stretching to cover closing costs and down payments
  • Agents caution that skipping this cost could reduce buyer interest

The bottom line: While the NAR settlement rule changes provide more transparency and added flexibility, the prevailing advice from experienced Florida agents is simple: If you want to get your home sold in a market filled with hesitant buyers, offer to pay their agent fees.

Florida real estate agent commission calculator

Wondering how much combined Realtor fees could cost you in Florida? Or what your costs might look like if you choose not to offer a buyer’s agent commission? Use our Florida Real Estate Commission Calculator to compare different scenarios based on your sale price and negotiated rates.

Do sellers have to pay a buyer’s agent fees in Florida?

Short answer: no, but as our nationwide agent survey revealed, most still do. Here’s why many Florida sellers continue to cover this cost:

  • More buyer interest: Most buyers in Florida work with agents. If their agent isn’t being paid by the seller, buyers may skip the listing or factor the commission into their offer price.
  • Stronger negotiating position: Covering the buyer’s agent fee can make your home more appealing, leading to more serious offers or even multiple bids.
  • Market realities: In our 2025 survey, agents reported that offering a buyer’s agent commission and other incentives is often necessary to close deals in today’s high-rate environment.

While you have the option to decline, it’s important to weigh how it could impact your home’s visibility and time on market.


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