How a Buyer’s Agent Gets Paid After the 2024 NAR Settlement
If you are buying a home in metro Atlanta in 2026, how your agent gets paid works differently than it did a few years ago. The National Association of Realtors settlement that took effect in August 2024 changed the default — and buyers who understand it negotiate from a stronger position.
What changed
Before the settlement, the buyer-agent commission was typically advertised in the listing and effectively bundled into the seller’s side of the deal. As of August 2024, that compensation is no longer baked in by default. Buyers now negotiate their agent’s fee directly, in a written buyer-agency agreement, before touring homes.
What this means for you as a buyer
- You sign a buyer-agency agreement up front. It states what your agent is paid and by whom. Read the compensation clause the way you’d read a lease.
- The seller may still contribute toward your agent’s fee — that is now a negotiated term of your offer, not an automatic given.
- If there is a gap between what the seller offers and what your agreement specifies, you may be responsible for the difference. Know that number before you write an offer.
Why direct broker access is an advantage here
With My Way Realty you work directly with the broker rather than an agent who has to route decisions up a chain. In a market where 24 hours can cost you the house, that means faster answers and sharper negotiation — and a commission structure that stays flexible so your offer can compete instead of getting weighed down.
The settlement shifted real costs onto buyers who weren’t paying attention. The buyers who read their agreement and plan for it are the ones who write clean, competitive offers.
— Jose Mendoza, Managing Broker
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay my agent out of pocket now?
Not necessarily. Sellers often still contribute toward the buyer-side fee — it is just negotiated per deal rather than assumed. Your buyer-agency agreement spells out the arrangement, and we walk every client through it before they commit.
Is the buyer-agency agreement required?
Working under a written buyer-agency agreement is now standard practice following the 2024 settlement. It protects you by putting the terms in writing before you start touring.
Can I still tour homes before deciding on an agent?
Talk to us first — we’ll explain the agreement, the compensation options, and how to keep your offer competitive, with no pressure to commit.
