Do Buyers Pay Their Real Estate Agent in Florida? What Changed in 2024
Last updated: November 9, 2026 · By Iva Zovko, Land to Coast · Keller Williams Atlantic Partners
Quick answer: Sometimes. Since August 17, 2024, buyers sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes, and that agreement states what the agent will be paid. The seller may still pay it through a concession you negotiate. If the seller won't, the buyer owes whatever the agreement says isn't covered.
What changed for Florida home buyers?
A national settlement involving the National Association of Realtors changed two practices on August 17, 2024:
- Written agreement before touring. Agents who are Realtors must have a signed agreement with a buyer before showing them a home.
- No compensation offers on the MLS. Listing services no longer show what a seller will pay a buyer's agent. That conversation now happens directly between agents.
Agent pay was always negotiable. What's new is that it's written down up front, so buyers see it before they start shopping.
Who pays the buyer's agent now?
| Scenario | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Seller agrees to cover your agent's fee | Seller, at closing |
| Seller covers part of it | Seller pays that part; buyer pays the rest if the agreement requires it |
| Seller declines | Buyer pays what the agreement says, or asks for a price reduction or credit instead |
In Jacksonville right now, many sellers still agree to pay buyer agents, especially on homes that have sat on the market. Your offer can request it as a seller concession, just like closing cost help.
What should a buyer agreement include?
Read it the way you'd read a lease. A clear agreement spells out:
- The amount or rate the agent will be paid, as a flat fee or a percentage.
- How long it lasts. Short terms, even one tour or a few weeks, are allowed.
- Which homes or areas it covers.
- How you can end it if the relationship isn't working.
Ask questions before signing. A good agent will explain every line without pressure.
Can the buyer's agent fee be financed?
Usually not directly. Most loans don't let you roll an agent fee into the loan amount. That's why asking the seller to cover it, or to give a credit you can apply, matters. Loan programs cap how much the seller can contribute, so confirm the limit with your lender before you write the offer.
How to keep your costs down
- Ask for the seller to pay your agent's fee in every offer. The worst answer is no.
- Compare that request against asking for a lower price. Sometimes one works better than the other.
- Ask your agent what they'll do for the fee: pricing analysis, negotiation, inspection help and closing management.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to sign a buyer agreement in Florida to see a house?
Yes, if you tour with an agent who is a Realtor. The agreement can be short and limited to specific homes.
Is the buyer agent's commission negotiable?
Yes. It always has been, and the written agreement is where you set it.
Can I buy a house without an agent?
Yes. You'd handle pricing, negotiation, contracts and inspections yourself or with an attorney.
The bottom line
Florida buyers now sign a written agreement setting their agent's pay before touring homes. Sellers can still pay that fee if you negotiate it, and many Jacksonville sellers do, but the buyer is responsible for any amount the agreement says the seller doesn't cover.
About the author: Iva Zovko is a Realtor with Keller Williams Atlantic Partners and co-leads the Land to Coast team with Kaitlyn Hamelin, serving Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach. Want to walk through a buyer agreement before you sign one? Call (904) 521-0626 or email ivazovko@jacksonvillecoastalhomes.com. This article is general information, not legal advice.
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