New Real Estate Rules See Buyers and Sellers Pocket Tens of Thousands in Savings

A landmark shift in the United States real estate market is delivering huge wins for both buyers and sellers, with negotiable commission structures and flat-fee services driving savings in the tens of thousands.

The changes stem from a 2024 settlement with the National Association of Realtors, which opened the door for full transparency and flexibility in how commissions are paid.

What was once a rigid 6 per cent model is now a negotiable cost—and consumers are seizing the opportunity.

Buyers Taking ControlNew platforms such as SAVE6 are providing buyer rebates of up to 50 per cent of the agent’s commission.

In Maryland, one homebuyer walked away from settlement with more than US $4,000 in cash returned directly to them.

For high-end purchasers, the savings are even more dramatic.

One couple relocating from Seattle to San Diego secured a flat-fee agreement with their buyer’s agent, paying just US $15,000 on a multi-million-dollar property—retaining almost US $100,000 that would have otherwise gone in commission.

Sellers Cutting CostsSellers, too, are embracing new approaches. Flat-fee listing services like Ridley allow homes to be listed on major platforms for as little as US $1,000.

By taking control of their own marketing—using tools like drone photography—sellers have managed to keep an additional US $19,000 in their own pocket rather than handing it over in fees.

Market ImpactWhile commissions initially dipped following the reforms, data shows they have since rebounded in certain markets as sellers increase offers to entice buyers.

The bigger shift, however, is cultural. The expectation that commissions are fixed has disappeared, replaced with a mindset that every fee is open to negotiation.

What It MeansFor consumers, the message is clear: broker fees are no longer untouchable. Buyers and sellers who know their options stand to save thousands, if not tens of thousands, on every transaction.

This change is not only reshaping the way Americans approach property—it’s a signpost for how global markets, including Australia, may evolve in the future as consumer demand for transparency and flexibility grows.