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Who Pays Realtor Fees in Arizona?
HomeLight
Real Estate
5 hrs ago
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If you’re selling a home in Arizona, you may be asking: Who pays Realtor fees in Arizona? This has been a common question since last year’s agent commission rule changes, which were tied to a major 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 fees, breaking with a nearly 100-year-old practice. But has the NAR settlement really changed the way things work in the Grand Canyon State?

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

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Who pays Realtor fees in Arizona?

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

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

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

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

The bottom line: While the NAR settlement rule changes increased transparency and flexibility, the prevailing advice from experienced Arizona agents is simple: If you want to sell your home in a market filled with cautious buyers, offer to pay their agent fees.

Arizona real estate agent commission calculator

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

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

The short answer is no. However, as our nationwide top agent survey revealed, most still do. Here’s why the majority of Arizona home sellers continue to cover this expense:

  • More homebuyer interest: Most buyers in Arizona work with real estate agents. If their agent isn’t being paid by the seller, buyers may skip over the listing or factor the Realtor fees into their offer price.
  • More powerful negotiating position: Covering the buyer’s agent commission can make your home far more appealing, leading to more serious offers or even multiple bids or a bidding war.
  • The realities of the market: 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, high-priced environment.

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


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