Buyer Beware: Some Real Estate Agents Are Inflating Commissions — And It Could Be Costing You Thousands

If you're in the market to buy a home — especially here in Florida — there’s a disturbing trend happening behind the scenes that every buyer (and seller) needs to know about. Some buyer’s agents are quietly bloating their commissions by asking their clients — the buyers — to add up to 10% to the closing costs to cover their fee.

Not only is this unethical, it’s potentially illegal. Even worse, it's a betrayal of fiduciary duty — the very foundation of trust that should exist between a real estate agent and their client.

💰 What’s Going On With Buyer’s Agent Commissions?

Traditionally, the seller pays the buyer’s agent commission — typically 2.5% to 3%. But following the recent class action lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the game has changed.

In response, some buyer’s agents have started asking their own clients to foot the bill for their commission, sometimes up to 10%, and wrap it into the buyer’s closing costs.

Let’s be clear — this means a buyer could be paying thousands of dollars extra just to compensate their agent… and many don’t even realize it.

⚠️ Why This Matters for Both Buyers and Sellers

For Buyers:

• You’re being told to pay more — often without fully understanding why.

• You may think this is standard or required — it’s not.

• You may not even know you’re being steered away from homes where the seller won’t agree to pay your agent’s inflated commission.

For Sellers:

• Your property could be overlooked or ignored by buyer’s agents if you don’t offer a big enough commission.

• You could be losing qualified buyers simply because an agent wants a higher payout.

• You may unknowingly be part of a system that’s steering buyers away from your home.

  
  

🤐 The Silence Around This Practice

One of the biggest problems? Lack of transparency.

Most buyers have no idea there’s a class action lawsuit against the NAR or that the traditional way of paying commissions is being questioned. Meanwhile, some buyer’s agents are quietly shifting the cost — and the responsibility — onto their clients.

Worse yet, some are including these commissions as part of "closing costs" — which can be rolled into financing, making it even harder to detect.

🔍 The Fiduciary Duty Violation

When you hire a real estate agent, they owe you a fiduciary duty — meaning they must act in your best interest, disclose conflicts of interest, and handle your money with care.

If your agent is encouraging you to pay them more than the industry standard, without clear explanation or alternatives, they are not acting in your best interest.

This is not just unethical — it could be a violation of state and federal laws, as well as grounds for a licensing complaint.

🛡️ How to Protect Yourself

Whether you're a buyer or seller in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or anywhere in Florida, here’s how you can protect yourself from this shady commission bloat:

✅ Ask questions. How is your agent being paid? Is it coming from the seller, or are you being asked to pay?✅ Read everything. Look closely at your closing disclosure and the buyer’s agent agreement.✅ Shop around. Not all agents work this way. Some still put your interests first — and that’s who you want on your side.✅ Talk to experienced investors. At Sandy Buys Houses, we work directly with sellers and buyers in a way that’s honest, transparent, and fair. No hidden commissions. No games.

💬 Final Thoughts from Sandy

This new trend is shocking and disappointing. I’ve been in this business over 25 years, and I’ve seen all kinds of market shifts — but this one feels like a real betrayal to buyers and sellers alike.

At Sandy Buys Houses, we believe in doing business the right way — with honesty, integrity, and full transparency. Whether you're facing foreclosure, probate, or just need a quick sale, we're here to help you move forward — without hidden fees or bloated commissions.

📞 Let’s Talk

If you're a homeowner in distress, a buyer trying to navigate the new real estate landscape, or a seller wondering why your property isn’t getting traction — reach out today. I’ll walk you through your options, no pressure and no fluff.

📍 Based in Tampa, FL📞 Call or text: 813.690.4979

🌐 Visit: https://www.sandybuyshouses.com