Buyer Agent Commission Calculator: Buyer's Agent Cut on a Home Sale
Work out the buyer's agent commission on a home sale — and check who's actually paying it post the 2024 NAR settlement that changed how this used to work.
Adjust the inputs and select Calculate for a full breakdown.
Compare Common Scenarios
How the numbers shift across typical situations for this calculator:
| Scenario | Buyer agent commission | Net to seller (or buyer net cost) |
|---|---|---|
| 3% of $500,000 | 15,000 | 485,000 |
| 2.5% of $750,000 | 18,750 | 731,250 |
| 1.5% of $300,000 (negotiated low) | 4,500 | 295,500 |
| 3% of $1,200,000 (luxury) | 36,000 | 1,164,000 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter the sale price and the buyer's agent commission rate (historically 2.5% to 3%; more negotiable post-2024 settlement). The calculator multiplies the two to give the commission and shows the net.
The Formula
Percentage of an Amount
Amount is the base value, Percentage is the rate applied to it
Worked Example
A 3% buyer's agent commission on a $500,000 home is $15,000. Historically this came out of the seller's proceeds (with the listing agent splitting their 5% to 6% with the buyer's agent). Post-2024 NAR settlement, US buyers commonly negotiate and pay their own agent — making this $15,000 a buyer-side cost rather than a seller-side cost.
Key Insight
The 2024 NAR settlement materially changed how buyer's agent commission gets paid in the US. Previously the seller paid both agents through a fixed commission shared between listing and buyer's broker. Now buyers either negotiate the rate directly with their agent (often lower), pay the agent themselves, or negotiate the seller-paid concession into the purchase contract. The headline 3% rate is now a starting point for negotiation, not a fixed expectation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is buyer agent commission calculated?
Multiply sale price by the commission rate. A 3% commission on a $500,000 home is $15,000.
Who pays the buyer's agent post-NAR settlement?
Varies. Buyers more often pay their own agent directly post-2024 settlement, but many transactions still involve seller-paid commission as a negotiated concession. The buyer-broker agreement now must specify the rate before house-hunting.
Can I negotiate the buyer agent rate?
Yes — explicitly so post-2024 settlement. Flat-fee buyer agents, rebates to buyers, and lower-percentage rates are increasingly common. Stronger negotiation leverage exists in slower markets and on higher-priced homes.
Is the buyer agent worth the commission?
Depends. Experienced buyer agents help with negotiation, inspection problems, closing logistics, and market knowledge — valuable in unfamiliar markets or for first-time buyers. Self-represented buyers can save the commission but need to handle everything themselves and assume the legal risk.
What about dual agency?
One agent representing both buyer and seller. Some states allow it (often with disclosure requirements), others prohibit it. Saves commission but creates conflict of interest — neither side gets full advocacy. Read state rules and the agency disclosure carefully.
Related Calculators
Data Sources & Benchmarks
This calculator draws on 1 independent, dated source.
Methodology & Review
Buyer agent commission is the sale price multiplied by the commission rate. Historically the seller paid both listing and buyer agent commissions (5% to 6% combined). Post-2024 NAR settlement, US buyers more often pay their own agent — confirm who pays in your specific transaction.
Written by Ugo Candido · Last updated May 17, 2026.