Do Sellers Still Pay Buyer Agent Commission in North Atlanta?

The commission changes in 2024 created a lot of confusion for buyers and sellers, and a lot of that confusion is still floating around today. Buyers started thinking they were on the hook to pay their agent’s commission out of pocket. Sellers started thinking they could save money by not offering buyer agent compensation at all. Neither of those assumptions tells the full story.

Let’s take a look at what actually changed and what it means for anyone buying or selling in North Atlanta right now.

What actually changed? A few things shifted in 2024, and they matter. Per the NAR settlement that went into effect on August 17, 2024, buyer agents now need to have a signed agreement with their clients before going out to show homes. That’s new. Compensation no longer shows up in the MLS system, so what a buyer agent would receive on a transaction isn’t publicly listed the way it used to be. Sellers can still offer compensation to a buyer’s agent, but it just has to be communicated outside the MLS now.

But here’s what didn’t change: In Georgia contracts, sellers have always had the right to pay for the buyer agent’s commission. That has always been a negotiable part of the deal. And in today’s market, the vast majority of sellers are still paying that compensation.

The commission collapse that everyone feared? It never really happened.

As buyers, know this. If you’re a buyer, the most important thing you can do is work with an agent who will sit down with you and clearly explain these agreements before you start looking at homes. You need to understand what you’re signing up for, how compensation works, and what your agent is doing to earn it.

I’ve never had a problem explaining this to my clients, even during the height of the 2024 changes. When the process is laid out clearly, it makes sense. And the numbers back it up: 88% of buyers are still choosing to work with a real estate agent, just as they were five years ago. Buyers want that guidance. They don’t know what they don’t know, and a good agent fills in those gaps.

As sellers, know this. Most sellers in this market understand by now that paying buyer agent compensation is part of getting the best result on their home. But some still think they don’t have to.

What I tell those sellers is simple: do your homework. Look at what the homes around you are offering in compensation. In almost every case, they’re paying it. And there’s a reason. A buyer loses interest when the seller isn’t covering their agent’s commission, because now that cost comes out of the buyer’s pocket on top of everything else. Those homes tend to sit.

I’ve seen it firsthand. When a seller doesn’t offer compensation, the home doesn’t get the same exposure, and the result is usually a longer time on market and a weaker final number. When I help my sellers understand what the competition is doing, and we price accordingly, we attract qualified, motivated buyers.

The process is different now. But it’s not nearly as dramatic as the headlines made it sound. Every situation is negotiable, and the biggest advantage you can give yourself is understanding your options before making a move. Sometimes a quick conversation clears up all the confusion.

If you have questions about how commission works in today’s market or want to talk through what buying or selling looks like right now, reach out. Call or text me at 470-748-3349, email me at susie@susieuhlich.com, or visit blog.susieuhlich.com. Happy to help.