Real estate commission rates have rebounded after an initial drop following major industry rule changes, signaling resilience but also highlighting new dynamics in how agents are paid.
Recent data shows that buyer agent commissions averaged 2.55% by early 2025, matching levels from a year earlier. Listing agent commissions rose slightly to 2.73%, bouncing back from their post-change low in late 2024. The recovery suggests a stabilization in compensation structures, even amid continued shifts in buyer and seller behavior.
One study also found that while overall commissions dipped slightly year-over-year in late 2024, trends varied by price point. Homes priced under $500,000 saw commissions edge up to 2.46%, while commissions on high-end properties over $1 million dropped to 2.17%. This trend may indicate increasing pressure on luxury market fees moving forward.
Agents themselves are divided: roughly half report little change in commission rates since the new rules took effect, but many noted a rise in commission negotiations. Despite the current rebound, more than 75% of agents still worry that their earnings may be at risk as the market evolves.
While fears of a widespread collapse in commissions have so far not materialized, ongoing rate fluctuations and consumer expectations are reshaping how agents earn — and negotiate — their pay.