New Changes in Commission Structure

Now that the National Association of Realtors' new commission rule is in effect, how does it actually impact you as a seller or buyer?

Hi, I'm Tanja Odzak, Realtor with eXp Realty, helping people sell and buy homes right here in the East Bay for the last 10 years.

Commission has always been negotiable, but historically it was paid by the seller to the listing agent, who then shared a portion with the buyer's agent. Under the new rule, sellers can no longer offer buyer-agent compensation directly on the MLS, though they can still offer it through concessions. Every state and every MLS (there are over 600) is handling the change differently.

For sellers, this can shift how you negotiate with a listing agent, and it matters more than ever to hire one who brings real value, negotiation skill, and marketing expertise, not just a rate. Any compensation to a buyer's agent now comes directly from the seller rather than through the brokerage, though offering it is still often smart strategy.

For buyers, this may mean paying your agent's commission directly for the first time, something that used to come from the seller's side. That changes how you budget for a purchase, and makes having a strong agent negotiating on your behalf more important, not less.

I'm Tanja Odzak, and I've sold over $100 million worth of homes with a decade of experience in the East Bay. This is a new era of transparency and negotiation for everyone involved. Let's talk through what it means for your specific situation.