Feeviews.com Sellers are no longer obligated to offer compensation to buyer agents. But optional doesn’t mean irrelevant. Listing agents now need to have a clear, informed approach to guiding sellers through the implications of offering an incentive to the buyer’s side. That conversation is more nuanced than it used to be.
Why Buyer Agent Incentives Still Matter
Buyer agent fees are no longer displayed in the MLS, but the impact of those incentives hasn’t disappeared. A recent Marketplace study analyzing tens of thousands of listings across 30 markets found that homes offering below-market commissions got fewer views on Redfin and were less likely to sell at all. Homes without competitive incentives often sat longer on the market or were eventually withdrawn entirely.
The dynamic is straightforward. If a buyer has to pay their agent out of pocket — on top of a down payment, inspections, appraisals, and closing costs — some will walk away or skip the showing entirely. An incentive from the seller helps keep the property accessible to more buyers.
Reframing the Conversation for Sellers
Sellers may assume that eliminating buyer agent compensation is a way to cut costs, but the better way to frame it is as a marketing decision. Offering a buyer agent incentive is a strategy to increase demand.
As Kendall Bonner, VP of Industry Relations at eXp, put it: “Offering compensation to the buyer’s agent as a seller is also an incentive to the buyer” — not just the agent.
Buyers are already financially stretched. If they’re expected to cover their agent’s fee directly, some won’t be able to proceed. That reduces the pool of potential offers, which no seller wants.
Guiding Sellers Toward a Competitive Offer
Deciding how much to offer shouldn’t be guesswork. Listing agents should research buyer agent norms in the local market. What’s typical in your area today? Has it shifted since the settlement?
The goal isn’t to offer the highest incentive — it’s to offer a reasonable one that keeps the listing competitive. This isn’t unlike pricing the home itself. Too low and it raises questions. Too high and you may leave money on the table. A well-positioned buyer agent incentive supports the seller’s goal of getting the best price in the shortest time.
How to Disclose Buyer Agent Fees Without the MLS
The biggest procedural change is that buyer agent compensation can no longer be listed in the MLS. But agents still need to get the word out.
That’s where FeeViews comes in. The platform allows listing agents to post the buyer agent incentive publicly and share that link alongside the MLS listing, in social media posts, or directly with buyer agents. It’s a legal, compliant way to maintain visibility in a post-settlement environment.
Keeping compensation private only creates confusion. FeeViews gives listing agents a simple way to preserve transparency.
Conclusion: Be the Advisor, Not Just the Messenger
Sellers are navigating a less familiar landscape, and they need their agent to offer perspective — not just repeat the rule changes. The question isn’t whether to offer buyer agent compensation, it’s whether not offering it will help or hurt their bottom line.
With fewer guarantees and more negotiation on the table, understanding buyer behavior, knowing local norms, and using tools like FeeViews will help agents guide sellers to protect the value of their listing.