A recent court settlement disrupted the prior practice of residential real estate brokers automatically splitting the seller’s commission with the cooperating or buyer’s broker. As a result, residential real estate buyers need to negotiate a fee with the broker that assists them in finding a home and will be asked to sign an agreement with the broker before they assist you. The contract will identify who will pay and how much will be paid to the buyer’s broker. Buyers should require their broker negotiate a commission split with the listing or seller’s broker, eliminating a direct payment from the buyer
