After the 2024 NAR settlement, buyer-agent compensation is negotiated openly and buyers sign a written agreement before touring — but in most SoCal deals the seller still covers it, and rebates still work.
After the 2024 NAR settlement, buyer-agent compensation is negotiated deal by deal rather than posted on the MLS, and buyers sign a written agreement before touring. In most Southern California sales, the seller still commonly offers to pay the buyer's agent, though it can also be requested in your offer or paid by you. Rebates remain legal and work the same — the buyer-agent compensation is what funds your up-to-1% rebate.
After the 2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement, buyer-agent compensation is negotiated openly instead of being posted on the MLS — but in most Southern California sales, the seller still ends up covering it.
Here's what actually changed. Before, listings advertised a set commission to the buyer's agent through the MLS. The settlement ended that practice and required buyers to sign a written agreement with their agent before touring. Compensation is now negotiated deal by deal: it can be offered by the seller, requested in your offer, or paid by you. In practice, sellers across SoCal still commonly offer it, because it widens their buyer pool. The takeaway for you: it's negotiable, and it should be in writing.
This connects directly to your rebate — the buyer-agent compensation is what funds it. See how the rebate works and the rebate pillar.
| Who pays | How it happens | How common in SoCal |
|---|---|---|
| Seller offers it | Seller offers buyer-agent compensation to attract buyers | Still very common |
| Buyer requests it in the offer | Your offer asks the seller to cover your agent's fee | Common as a term |
| Buyer pays directly | You pay your agent per your agreement | Less common |
When the seller offers compensation, that's the pool your rebate comes from. When it's negotiated into your offer, your agent structures it so your rebate still works.
You'll now sign a buyer-representation agreement before touring. It states how your agent is compensated and, with us, states your rebate. Read it — it's a good thing, not a hurdle. It protects you by making the terms explicit up front. See the buyer-representation agreement explained.
Your rebate is a share of the buyer-agent compensation returned to you. As long as that compensation exists in the deal — offered by the seller or negotiated into your offer — the rebate works the same as before: up to 1% of the price back at closing. If a particular seller doesn't offer buyer-agent compensation, your agent negotiates it as a term of your offer so your representation and rebate stay intact. Nothing about the settlement removed the rebate.
We'll explain exactly how your agent gets paid, keep it seller-paid where possible, and put your rebate in writing.
Disclaimer: Portfolio Home Realty is a licensed California real estate brokerage (DRE #02232009) serving Los Angeles County and Orange County. The buyer rebate is a portion of the buyer-side commission returned to eligible buyers at closing and is generally up to 1% of the purchase price, subject to lender approval and the seller offering buyer-agent compensation. Dollar figures on this page are illustrative estimates, not guarantees. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice — consult your CPA, attorney, or lender about your situation. Equal Housing Opportunity.