08/20/2026
Letās Talk Real Estate Compensation š”
One thing I think every buyer and seller should understand is that real estate professional compensation is always negotiable. There is no one size fits all fee, and compensation should be discussed openly between the client and their real estate professional.
But hereās the important part: the amount of compensation should reflect the amount of work and service being provided.
A real estate broker associate isnāt simply opening doors or putting a sign in the yard. There can be hours of work behind the scenes... market research, showings, negotiations, paperwork, contract deadlines, inspections, appraisals, communication with lenders and title companies, problem solving, and guiding clients through what can be a very complicated transaction.
If a client wants to negotiate reduced compensation, that conversation is absolutely okay. But itās also fair to discuss what services and level of involvement are expected in return.
There is a difference between having previously held a real estate license and currently practicing as an active real estate professional or REALTORĀ®. Those titles and statuses have specific meanings, and I believe it is important (ethically and professionally) to represent our credentials and current status accurately.
The real estate industry has also gone through significant changes over the past year, including the implementation of the NAR settlement changes. Active practitioners have had to complete education, adapt their business practices, update agreements and disclosures, and learn new requirements surrounding buyer representation and compensation.
That ongoing education matters because real estate is constantly changing. Clients deserve to know that the professional advising them is current on the rules, contracts, laws, and practices that affect their transaction.
At the end of the day, this isn't about saying one agent is better than another. It's about transparency, professionalism, and making sure consumers understand who they are hiring, what services they are receiving, and what they are paying for.
Compensation is negotiable. Scope of service is negotiable. But professionalism, transparency, and staying current with the industry should never be negotiable.
