Yes, a seller can legally refuse to pay the buyer's agent fee in 2026. The NAR settlement took effect in August 2024, and the rules

Do sellers pay realtor fees? Since August 2024, the answer is no longer a simple yes. The NAR settlement decoupled buyer and listing agent commissions,

The main disadvantages of using a buyer's agent are the cost, which typically runs 1%-3% of the purchase price or a flat fee above $10,000,