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Who Pays Realtor Fees in Pennsylvania?
HomeLight
Real Estate
3 days ago
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If you’re preparing to sell a home in the Keystone 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 Pennsylvania?

This is a fair question, given that a landmark National Association of Realtors (NAR) court settlement changed how real estate agent compensation is handled nationwide. Beginning in August 2024, sellers are no longer automatically expected to cover the buyer’s Realtor fees, a shift from a longtime industry practice.

So what does this mean for Pennsylvania home sellers today? In this guide, we’ll explain who typically pays Realtor fees in Pennsylvania, how commissions work in the current housing market, and when covering a buyer’s agent fee may still make financial sense. You’ll also find a Pennsylvania agent commission calculator to help you estimate your potential costs.

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Who pays Realtor fees in Pennsylvania?

Following the NAR settlement, some industry analysts predicted that homebuyers would feel pressured to pay their own Realtor fees, shifting this expense away from sellers. However, this rerouting hasn’t happened at scale — in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania home sellers continue covering the buyer’s Realtor fees?

  • Elevated interest rates and affordability hurdles can limit buyer budgets.
  • Offering to pay the buyer’s Realtor fees can expand your buyer pool.
  • Incentives can help your home sell faster or closer to your list price.

In short, the decision comes down to common-sense marketing. Offering to pay the buyer agent commission and providing other seller concessions is a smart way to attract qualified, ready buyers.

Pennsylvania real estate agent commission calculator

If you’re planning a Pennsylvania home sale, try the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission Calculator below. It allows you to quickly compare scenarios using typical statewide commission costs, which, combined, equal about 5.77% of your home’s listing price. However, you can adjust the percentages based on the rates you expect to negotiate.

With a single toggle, you can also compare the costs of paying both agents’ fees versus covering only your listing agent’s commission.

Are Pennsylvania sellers required to pay the buyer’s agent?

There is no law or state mandate in Pennsylvania that requires a home seller to pay a buyer’s agent compensation. As in the rest of the U.S., commission terms are fully negotiable between the parties.

Still, as HomeLight’s survey revealed, most sellers choose to offer this incentive because it can:

  • Increase buyer interest and encourage more showings.
  • Help sellers attract stronger or more competitive offers.
  • Improve the chances of a smoother, more dependable closing.

While at first glance, refusing to pay your buyer’s Realtor fees may seem like a money-saving move, it could reduce your home’s visibility, limit your offer activity, and potentially increase your days on market (DOM).


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