Should Sellers Offer Buyer Broker Compensation in Bluffton & Hilton Head?
By Allison Cobb, The Cobb Group | Brokered by eXp Luxury Realty
If you’re planning to sell your home in Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, or Moss Creek, you’ve probably heard about the recent lawsuit that changed how real estate commission works. Many sellers are asking: “Do I still need to offer buyer broker compensation?”
The short answer: you don’t have to — but most sellers still choose to, and for good reason.
What Changed (and What Didn’t)
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Then: Commission was bundled on the seller’s side. The listing Realtor set the total commission, which included the buyer’s Realtor’s fee. This helped buyers roll that cost into their mortgage.
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Now: The listing commission is set in your Listing Agreement, while buyer broker compensation is negotiable and can be offered upfront or not at all. Offering it still allows buyers to roll that cost into their mortgage which is smart business. All parties have more control and more clarity.
Important: Buyer broker compensation is 100% optional, negotiable, and not required. Sellers decide what, if anything, to offer.
Why Bluffton & Hilton Head Sellers Still Offer It
1. Attract More Buyers
Homes for sale in Bluffton SC and Hilton Head Island are competing in a busy marketplace. When compensation isn’t offered, buyers may lower their offer to cover their Realtor’s fee — or skip your property altogether. Offering it upfront makes your listing more competitive.
2. Protect Your Bottom Line
If a buyer reduces their offer to offset agent fees, you may net less than if you had simply offered compensation upfront. The best Realtors in Bluffton and Hilton Head help sellers look at the real math — and most times, offering compensation protects your bottom line.
3. Keep the Transaction Smooth
Uncertainty causes deals to stall. Clear expectations about compensation upfront make for smoother negotiations and faster closings.
4. A Smart Marketing Advantage
Just like professional photos, drone video, or staging, compensation is a marketing strategy. The top Bluffton Realtors use it to make listings stand out and appeal to more buyers.
5. Industry Standard
The vast majority of Hilton Head luxury real estate and Bluffton sellers still offer buyer broker compensation. Aligning with market norms keeps your home positioned competitively.
The Cost of Doing Business
If a seller decides not to offer buyer broker compensation, the responsibility shifts to the buyer to cover their agent’s fee directly. And while buyers’ brokers do not work for free, most buyers don’t have extra cash set aside beyond their down payment, inspections, transfer fees (initiation fees and membership certificates) and closing costs.
The bottom line? Commissions and compensation are simply the cost of doing business in real estate. They’ve always been part of the total transaction — they don’t truly “come more” from one side than the other.
When compensation is offered upfront, it allows buyers to structure their financing more smoothly, strengthens offers, and keeps your listing more competitive.
Sellers Are Always in the Driver’s Seat
Here’s the truth: most sellers still offer compensation upfront, but it’s always negotiable when an offer comes in. Compensation is just one piece of the offer package, along with price, contingencies, and timing.
If the full package doesn’t work for you, you don’t have to accept. Sellers are always in control — and the best Realtor in Bluffton or Hilton Head will help you weigh your options.
Understanding Your Net Numbers
At the end of the day, what matters most to you as a seller is your net — the amount you walk away with after the sale. Commission and compensation are just one piece of the transaction, no different than price, contingencies, or closing costs.
When you work with a Realtor who understands the big picture, you’ll know exactly how the numbers shake out. Whether you choose to offer buyer broker compensation upfront or leave it to the buyer’s side, what counts is clarity on your bottom line.
This lawsuit was all about transparency — making sure buyers and sellers understand the why and the how behind real estate costs. Offering compensation upfront simply takes the question “off the table,” making it easier for buyers to write a strong offer. But if you’d prefer that the buyer side cover their own broker’s fee, that’s absolutely fine too — as long as you and your Realtor understand how it affects the overall numbers.
Education and understanding matter more than ever. When you know your walk-away number, you’re in full control.
Transparency, Control & A Stronger Industry
At The Cobb Group, brokered by eXp Realty — a global brokerage of over 95,000 agents worldwide — we believe strongly that commission and compensation decisions should rest with sellers and buyers, not brokerages.
The lawsuit that decoupled commission from compensation was about one thing: transparency. And on that front, real estate is stronger today than ever. Sellers and buyers now have more control than ever before:
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A seller decides what they want to pay the Realtor they hire to sell their home.
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A broker can decide whether they want to work for that seller.
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A seller can decide whether to offer buyer broker compensation — and how much.
This puts choice exactly where it belongs: in the hands of the people actually in the transaction.
When sellers know their net numbers and work alongside a skilled Realtor, they gain the clarity to make smart decisions about compensation. Offering buyer broker compensation upfront can streamline the sale, but it’s always the seller’s call.
And here’s a practical reminder: your first 30 days on the market are your best opportunity to sell. Setting your listing up for success with clear strategy, transparency, and strong marketing makes all the difference.
Real Estate Q&A for Buyers & Sellers
Q: Is buyer broker compensation required?
A: No. It’s 100% optional and negotiable. Sellers decide what, if anything, to offer.
Q: What happens if I don’t offer it?
A: Buyers may lower their offers — or your home may be less competitive compared to others that do.
Q: Can compensation be negotiated later?
A: Yes. Even if offered upfront, compensation can be adjusted with an incoming offer.
Q: Who makes the final decision?
A: You do. Sellers are always in the driver’s seat.
Work With the Best Realtor in Bluffton & Hilton Head
Selling in today’s Bluffton and Hilton Head real estate market requires strategy and clarity. Offering buyer broker compensation is just one piece of the puzzle.
I’m Allison Cobb — a top Bluffton Realtor and Hilton Head Island real estate expert. My team, The Cobb Group, brokered by eXp Luxury Realty, has sold hundreds of homes in Moss Creek, Hampton Hall, and beyond. I’ll walk you through every option so you can make the decision that best protects your goals.
Ready to sell in Bluffton or Hilton Head Island? Call Allison Cobb at 843-338-7256 or visit thecobbgroup.com.
Disclaimer: Buyer broker compensation is not required and is always negotiable. Sellers have full discretion on what, if anything, to offer. The information above is provided as general market guidance, not a guarantee.
Written by Allison Cobb
The author assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or emissions in the content of this blog. The information provided on is an “as is” basis with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness.
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