How Realtors Can Prepare for the 2026 Commission Changes

By Jace Gillies

Jace Gillies is our Expansion Partner for our Salt Lake City office, where he exemplifies outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence.

No topic has created more confusion this year than agent commissions. Everywhere I go, agents ask me the same thing: “What will happen to our commissions in 2026?” If you want to stay ahead of these changes instead of reacting to them, this update will help you get prepared.

For years, our commission structure stayed the same. Buyers and sellers expected it, and agents understood it. But because of lawsuits, settlements, and new requirements around representation and transparency, the market is shifting fast.

I’ve spoken with brokers, attorneys, and industry leaders, and they all agree on one thing: commissions aren’t going away, but how we earn them and how we communicate them is changing.

Agents who adapt will be fine. Agents who ignore these shifts will feel it the most. Here’s what you need to know to succeed in 2026:

1. Commission conversations will happen earlier. Buyers will be asked to sign agreements before touring homes. That means commission talks won’t happen at the end of the process anymore; they’ll happen on day one.

This requires a simple, confident explanation of how you get paid, how representation works, and why your service is worth it.

2. Compensation will be more transparent. Home sellers will see clearer breakdowns, and buyers will compare agents side by side. More transparency can build trust, but only if you can clearly present your value. Your service must be easy to understand and easy to justify.

3. Negotiation skills will matter more than ever. Flat fees, hourly models, tiered service packages, and traditional commissions will all exist at the same time. There’s no “one standard” anymore. Agents who understand local norms, communicate expectations clearly, and negotiate confidently will win more business.

Consumers will still pay for skill. They’ll pay for expertise that protects them, saves them time, and ensures a smooth transaction. But they won’t pay for what they don’t understand. That’s why your value has to be visible, not assumed.

If you want to stay ahead of 2026, your buyer presentation, listing consultation, and value script need to be updated now. Your marketing, messaging, and systems must demonstrate your value from the very first interaction.

If you want help improving your presentations or value script, reach out to me. Call, text, DM, or email me at (773) 744-5308 or careers@liveutah.com. I’ll share the exact framework I’m using to help agents stay ahead of these changes and feel confident going into next year.