Why the 6% Commission Model Is Outdated, and What Sellers and Buyers Need Now

For decades, the 6% commission has been treated as the standard in real estate. But in today’s market, where every dollar matters, that model is starting to feel outdated.

Home prices are higher. Interest rates are higher. Budgets are tighter. And yet, many sellers are still expected to give up a significant portion of their equity simply because “that’s how it’s always been done.”

Let’s put that into perspective…
On a $500,000 home, that’s $30,000 in commission.

And here’s the bigger question no one really asks,
Why should the cost to sell a home increase just because the price is higher?

A 3,000 sq ft home priced at $300,000 doesn’t require less effort to market than a 3,000 sq ft home priced at $1M, yet the commission gap is massive. The work doesn’t scale the same way the price does.

Buyers are feeling it too. With changes in how commissions are handled, many are now navigating the idea of covering their own representation, on top of closing costs, down payments, and rising rates. That’s a lot.

The reality is, the market is shifting.

Sellers are looking for smarter ways to protect their equity.
Buyers need guidance that doesn’t add more financial pressure.
And agents? We should be evolving with it.

I believe there’s a better way, one that’s strategic, flexible, and built around the client, not an outdated formula.

If you’re even a little curious what that could look like for you, let’s have a conversation. No pressure, just options.