2026 Rebate Guide

Home buyer rebate rules, state by state

A buyer-agent commission rebate returns part of the commission to you at closing. Most states allow it. Roughly ten restrict direct cash rebates — and in those states the same value can usually be captured as a seller concession toward closing costs or a permanent rate buydown. Find your state below for the exact path to use.

40
States allowing rebates
7
Allowed with disclosure rules
10
Restrict direct cash rebates

Find your state

How the 1.5% rebate strategy works

  1. 1Cap the buyer-agent fee at 1.5% of the purchase price in writing before you tour homes.
  2. 2On a 3% commission baseline, that leaves roughly 1.5% of the price — about $6,000 on a $400,000 home — available to you.
  3. 3In restricted states, ask for the same amount as a seller concession credited toward closing costs instead of cash.
  4. 4Direct the funds to a permanent rate buydown so the savings compound over the life of the loan.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rebate rules change and individual brokerages set their own policies — confirm all terms in writing before signing a buyer-representation agreement.

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