A Guide to Agent Fees for New Hampshire Homebuyers and Sellers

Your agent's compensation covers marketing, negotiations, and expertise. Learn what you're paying for and how to align fees with your goals.

Are you thinking about buying or selling a home in New Hampshire? Whether you’re buying or selling, part of the process is sitting down with your agent to review services and agree on fees. It all comes down to understanding what’s negotiable, what’s common, and what’s right for your situation. 

For sellers, we can break it down into three main questions.

1. Agent’s role and compensation. The first thing to look at is what you’re actually paying your agent for. This covers the work they do to help you prepare your home for the market, how your house is marketed, the open houses they host, and negotiating the best deal once offers start coming in.

2. Compensation for buyer’s agent. The second thing to talk about is whether you want to offer compensation to the agent who brings the buyer to your home. You’re not required to, but it’s common for buyers to request some help from the seller to cover their agent’s fee. That’s why it’s a conversation worth having with your agent before your home even goes on the market.

"Commissions are now fully negotiable for both buyers and sellers."

3. Unrepresented buyers. The last situation doesn’t come up often, but it’s good to be ready for it. If a buyer makes an offer without using an agent, your agent can act as a facilitator. That means they don’t take on fiduciary responsibility but simply help with the paperwork to keep the process smooth. You’ll need to decide upfront what compensation, if any, you’ll provide your agent for stepping into that role.

For buyers, the process is more straightforward. You’ll sit down with your agent to discuss their services, set expectations on both sides, and review your timeline. Together, you’ll agree on the value of that work, which is usually a percentage of the purchase price. 

Sometimes sellers may cover part or the entire fee, but they’re not required to. That’s why it’s best to know the number upfront and discuss your options with your agent before making an offer.

Overall, commissions are now fully negotiable for both buyers and sellers. Everything agreed to should be in writing, giving both sides the chance to decide which services they want and what those services are worth.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling and want to understand exactly how commissions could affect your specific situation, let’s chat. Feel free to call us at (603) 557-6661 or send an email to rhvizda@kw.com. We’re happy to help.