Who Pays Realtor Fees in Ohio?

If you’re preparing to sell a home in the Buckeye State, you’re likely reviewing recent sale prices in your neighborhood and estimating potential proceeds at closing. If it’s your first home sale — or your first in a while — you may also be asking: Who pays Realtor fees in Ohio?

This question has become even more common since a major National Association of Realtors (NAR) court settlement changed how real estate agent compensation is communicated and negotiated nationwide. Beginning in August 2024, sellers are no longer presumed to cover the buyer’s agent commission, a shift from long-standing industry practice.

So what does this mean for Ohio home sellers today? In this guide, we’ll explain who typically pays Realtor fees in Ohio, how commissions are working in the current housing market, and when covering a buyer’s agent fee may still make financial sense. You’ll also find an Ohio agent commission calculator to help you estimate potential costs.

A Top Ohio Agent Can Increase Your Proceeds

Our free Agent Match tool analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which local agents have a proven track record for success in your Ohio market. Our data shows that top agents sell homes for as much as 10% more than average agents.

Step 1: Talk to an Expert

 

Who pays Realtor fees in Ohio?

Following the NAR settlement, some industry observers predicted homebuyers would feel pressured to pay their own Realtor fees, rerouting commission expenses away from sellers. However, this shift hasn’t materialized at scale — in Ohio or anywhere in the country. According to a nationwide HomeLight survey, 92% of top agents report that sellers are still paying their buyer’s agent commission.

Why do most sellers continue covering the buyer’s Realtor fees?

• Higher mortgage rates and affordability pressures can limit buyer budgets.
• Offering commission coverage can widen the buyer pool.
• Competitive incentives may help homes sell faster or closer to list price.

In short, the choice comes down to common-sense marketing in a hesitant housing market. Offering to pay the buyer’s agent commission and giving other concessions is a smart strategy to attract qualified buyers.

Ohio real estate agent commission calculator

If you’re planning an Ohio home sale, try the Ohio Real Estate Commission Calculator below. It lets you compare scenarios using typical statewide commission costs, which, combined, equal about 5.73% of your home’s listing price. However, you can adjust these based on the rates you expect to negotiate.

With a single toggle, you can also compare the costs of paying both agents’ commissions versus covering only your listing agent’s fees.

Are Ohio sellers required to pay the buyer’s agent?

There is no state law or mandate in Ohio that requires a home seller to pay a buyer’s agent compensation. Like everywhere else in the U.S., commission terms are fully negotiable between the parties involved.

Still, as HomeLight’s survey revealed, most sellers choose to offer this incentive because it can:

• Increase offer activity: Most buyers work with agents, and listings without compensation may receive fewer showings.
• Strengthen negotiating leverage: Competitive terms can encourage stronger or multiple offers.
• Improve sale certainty: Incentives can help deals move forward in markets where affordability remains tight.

While at first glance refusing to pay the buyer’s agent’s commission may seem like a money-saving strategy, it can actually reduce your home’s visibility, limit your offer options, and increase your home’s days on market (DOM).

from HomeLight Blog https://www.homelight.com/blog/who-pays-realtor-fees-in-ohio/