A major shift in real estate rules is changing what sellers need to know about commissions — and how to prepare their homes for today’s market.

Starting in 2025, home sellers in South Carolina are entering a new kind of market. The long-standing tradition that required sellers to cover both their own agent’s commission and the buyer’s agent’s fee has changed. This update offers more flexibility — but also adds new decisions that can affect how quickly and profitably a home sells.

Here’s what every seller should understand before listing in 2025.

For decades, it was standard practice for sellers to pay the full real estate commission — typically about 5.5% to 6% of the home’s price, split between the listing and buyer’s agents.

Following the 2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement, that structure is no longer required.

Now:

• Sellers can choose whether to offer a commission to a buyer’s agent.

• Buyer’s agents must have written agreements that outline how they’ll be compensated.

• Buyers may pay their agent directly or negotiate that fee as part of their offer.

In short, the traditional “seller pays both sides” rule has been replaced by a flexible, negotiable system.

For some sellers, this change could reduce total transaction costs by thousands of dollars. But flexibility brings trade-offs.

Here’s what to consider before deciding how to structure commissions:

• Market exposure matters.
  If a seller doesn’t offer compensation to buyer’s agents, some agents may be less likely to show the home — especially in markets with plenty of listings.

• Buyer budgets are affected.
  Buyers who now need to cover their own agent’s fee might have less to spend on the home itself, which could influence offers.

• Local market conditions vary.
  In high-demand areas like coastal communities or popular metro suburbs, homes may still attract buyers without offering agent compensation. In slower markets or those with new-construction competition, offering that incentive could lead to more interest and faster offers.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The decision depends on your home’s condition, location, and how quickly you want to sell.

Ask yourself:

1. How active is my market right now?
   In a seller’s market, you may not need to offer a buyer’s-agent fee. In a balanced market, it can help your listing stand out.

2. What are similar homes doing?
   Look at active listings nearby. If most offer 2–3% buyer-agent compensation, skipping it could limit your visibility.

3. What’s my selling priority?
   If speed and exposure matter more than squeezing every dollar, offering some level of buyer-agent incentive can be worthwhile.

The key is aligning your strategy with market reality, not outdated habits.

Even though commission structures have changed, South Carolina sellers must still meet all legal disclosure and representation requirements.

That means:

• Completing the state’s Seller Disclosure Form to report known property issues.

• Reviewing your listing agreement carefully to confirm what you’ll pay your agent — and how any buyer’s-agent compensation, if offered, will be handled.

Transparent contracts and clear expectations reduce surprises once offers start coming in.

With the commission model shifting, strong fundamentals matter more than ever. Sellers who succeed this year are those who:

• Price strategically.
  Use recent sales data and be realistic about buyer expectations.

• Focus on presentation.
  Staging, curb appeal, and professional photos still drive first impressions.

• Understand buyer psychology.
  Some buyers will be adjusting to paying their agent directly. Keeping your listing competitive — through price or incentives — can help offset that.

• Stay flexible.
  If your home isn’t attracting attention, you can always adjust commission offers or listing terms later.

The 2025 changes to real estate commissions in South Carolina mark one of the biggest shifts the market has seen in decades.
For sellers, the update introduces both opportunity and responsibility — the chance to save money, but also the need to make smarter, more strategic choices.

The takeaway is simple:
Don’t rely on the old playbook.

Understand your local market, evaluate your options carefully, and choose the approach that balances your goals with today’s realities.