Realtor Commission in Georgia, Explained (After the NAR Settlement)

In Georgia today, real estate commission is fully negotiable and there's no set rate. Since the August 17, 2024 NAR settlement, the buyer's agent commission is negotiated separately between the buyer and their agent — it's no longer posted on the MLS or automatically paid by the seller. Buyers also must sign a written agreement before touring a home. I'm Tien Nguyen, REALTOR® (GA #382911), and here's the plain-English version.

What changed in 2024?

In March 2024, the National Association of REALTORS® settled a lawsuit, agreeing to pay $418 million and change its rules. A judge gave final approval on November 26, 2024, and the practice changes took effect August 17, 2024. Source: NAR — What the settlement means.

Two changes matter most:

1. No commission on the MLS. A listing agent can no longer advertise on the MLS how much a buyer's agent will be paid.
2. Buyers sign first. Buyers must sign a written buyer-agency agreement with their agent before touring a home, spelling out how that agent gets paid.

How commission works in Georgia now

There is no legal standard rate in Georgia — every commission is negotiable. In practice, the structure usually looks like this:

| Side | Typical structure | Who negotiates it | |---|---|---| | Listing (seller's) agent | Negotiated in the listing agreement | Seller and listing agent | | Buyer's agent | Negotiated in the buyer-agency agreement | Buyer and buyer's agent | | Who pays the buyer's agent | Buyer can ask the seller to cover it as a concession in the offer, or pay the agent directly | Negotiated deal-by-deal |

Source: NAR Settlement FAQs and Houzeo — NAR settlement. Percentages vary by agent and deal; I don't quote a "standard" rate because there isn't one.

Who actually pays the buyer's agent?

This is the question I get most. After the settlement, there are three common ways:

1. The seller pays it as a concession. Buyers can write into their offer that the seller covers all or part of the buyer-agent fee. Sellers can still offer this — it just can't be advertised on the MLS. Many sellers still agree because it widens their buyer pool.
2. The buyer pays directly. If the seller won't cover it, the buyer pays their agent per the agreement they signed.
3. A split. The seller covers part (say 1%) and the buyer covers the rest.

Source: Houzeo and NAR Settlement FAQs. In most of the north-Atlanta deals I see, sellers still offer to cover buyer-agent commission as a concession — but it's now an open negotiation, not an automatic.

Why the change is good for you (if you ask the right questions)

The settlement made commission transparent and negotiable. Before, the rate was baked into the MLS and most buyers never discussed it. Now you negotiate it up front, in writing, and you know exactly what your agent earns and what they do for it. That's a better deal for an informed buyer.

Questions to ask any agent before you sign

Use this list whether you work with me or anyone else:

1. What's your commission, and how is it paid? Get a number and the structure in writing.
2. Will you help me ask the seller to cover your fee? A good agent does this routinely.
3. What exactly do you do for that fee? Showings, negotiation, inspections, contract review, closing coordination.
4. What's in the buyer-agency agreement, and how long does it last? Understand the term and any cancellation terms.
5. Are you full-time, and how many deals have you closed? Experience shows up at the negotiation table.
6. Do you speak my language? If your family is more comfortable in Vietnamese, that matters at closing. (I work in English and Vietnamese.)

"Ask me what I charge and what I do for it — on the first call. A buyer who understands the agreement before they sign is a buyer who never feels surprised at closing." — Tien Nguyen, REALTOR® (GA #382911)

Ready to start? See my buyer guide or, if you're buying your first home, the Georgia first-time buyer programs. Selling instead? Get a free home value estimate.

FAQ

How much is realtor commission in Georgia in 2026? There's no legal standard rate — it's fully negotiable. Listing and buyer-agent fees are set in separate agreements, and percentages vary by agent and deal.

Who pays the buyer's agent after the NAR settlement? It's negotiated. The buyer can ask the seller to cover it as a concession in the offer, pay the agent directly, or split it. Sellers can still offer to pay it — they just can't advertise it on the MLS.

Do I have to sign an agreement before touring homes? Yes. Since August 17, 2024, buyers must sign a written buyer-agency agreement with their agent before touring a home.

Can the seller still pay my agent's commission? Yes. Sellers can offer to cover the buyer-agent commission as a concession — it just isn't posted on the MLS anymore. You request it in your offer.

Is commission negotiable in Georgia? Always. There is no set rate. Ask any agent for their fee and structure in writing before you sign.

---

This is general information, not legal advice. For your specific transaction, review your agreements with your agent and, if needed, an attorney.

Tien Nguyen, REALTOR® · Virtual Properties Realty · 2750 Premiere Pkwy Ste 200, Duluth, GA 30097 · (470) 554-0311 · Updated May 2026