Can a Buyer’s Agent Refuse to Show a Home If the Seller Won’t Pay Commission?
Sellers often ask whether a buyer’s agent can refuse to show their home if no buyer agent commission is offered. The short answer is yes — and the reason is usually practical, not personal.
💡 Quick Answer
Yes. A buyer’s agent can refuse to show a home.
Because compensation terms are established in advance through the buyer’s representation agreement, a showing may not proceed if that agreement does not provide a workable path for the buyer’s agent to be compensated.
This can include situations where the seller is unwilling to contribute toward the buyer’s agent commission.
📌 How This Can Play Out in Practice
The scenarios below assume the buyer has already signed a buyer representation agreement that defines how their agent will be compensated. That agreement applies regardless of whether the seller offers to pay a buyer’s agent commission.
If you want more detail on how these agreements work and why they matter, see how buyer agent compensation agreements are structured.
Once that agreement is in place, this situation can unfold in several ways:
- Scenario 1: Showing First, Compensation Addressed Later.
The buyer’s agent shows the home without discussing commission upfront. Compensation is addressed later, often when an offer is being prepared. - Scenario 2: Compensation Discussed Before Showing.
The buyer’s agent asks how buyer agent compensation will be handled before scheduling a showing. If the seller is not offering commission, the question becomes whether the buyer is willing or able to cover that cost under their agreement. - Scenario 3: No Viable Path Forward.
If the buyer’s representation agreement does not provide a workable path for the agent to be compensated, the buyer and agent may decide not to pursue the showing.
📌 The Buyer’s Responsibility
Most buyers sign a representation agreement with their agent that spells out how the agent will be paid. That agreement applies regardless of what the seller offers.
A seller may choose to contribute toward the buyer’s agent commission in several ways, such as by offering a set amount, agreeing to a percentage, or providing a concession that can be applied toward the buyer’s agent fee at closing.
For a broader explanation of how buyer agent compensation works today, see who pays a buyer’s agent after recent rule changes .
📌 Why a Buyer’s Agent May Decline to Show a Home
Buyer representation agreements often define in advance how compensation will be handled, including whether an agent will proceed if no seller contribution is offered. As a result, these outcomes are typically predetermined rather than decided case by case.
In simple terms, if there is no clear path for the buyer’s agent to be compensated, there may be no viable transaction to pursue. This is usually a financial decision — not a judgment about the home or the seller.
📌 What Often Happens Before a Home Is Passed On
Before a buyer completely skips a home, there are often attempts to bridge the gap:
- The buyer may submit an offer asking the seller to cover the buyer agent commission as a concession
- The buyer’s agent may contact the listing broker to discuss whether compensation can be negotiated
If neither side is willing to adjust, the buyer and agent may move on.
📌 What Sellers Should Understand
- Yes, a buyer’s agent can refuse to show a home
- This usually happens after compensation is known
- The decision is typically about whether the agent will be paid
- It is not automatic and does not happen in every transaction
📌 Bottom Line
A buyer’s agent is not required to show every home. If the buyer’s representation agreement does not provide a workable path for the buyer’s agent to be compensated, the showing — and the deal — may not move forward.
Want to Reduce Commission Friction?
Brokerless lets sellers list on the MLS without locking into traditional commission structures — so compensation stays flexible and negotiable throughout the process.