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The Impact of Buyer Broker Compensation on Snohomish County Real Estate Sales

Understanding the nuances of buyer broker compensation can be a game-changer in how quickly you sell your home. In Snohomish County, as in many real estate markets, the percentage of commission offered to the buyer's broker can influence the sale process significantly.

The Impact of Buyer Broker Compensation on Snohomish County Real Estate Sales

Introduction Understanding the nuances of buyer broker compensation can be a game-changer in how quickly you sell your home. In Snohomish County, as in many real estate markets, the percentage of commission offered to the buyer's broker can influence the sale process significantly.

Understanding Buyer Broker Compensation In the world of Snohomish County real estate, buyer broker compensation refers to the percentage of the home's sale price that sellers offers to pay the buyer's broker. This is an important aspect of the listing agreement and one that can affect how appealing your property is to buyers' agents. While in WA state it is not a requirement for a seller to offer any compensation for the buyer's broker, I found this data sourced from the NWMLS for resale homes in Snohomish County very interesting!

The Data on Compensation and Sales Success Recent data sheds light on a fascinating trend within the Snohomish County real estate landscape: homes offering higher compensation to buyer brokers tend to sell faster and more frequently within the first 30 days on the market. Here’s what we’ve found:

  • 3% Compensation: Homes in Snohomish County offering this compensation level to the buyer's broker are usually on the market for an average of 33 days, and a significant 78% of these homes are sold within the first month.

  • 2.5% Compensation: These homes have a slightly lower average time on the market at 31 days, and about 71% sell within the first 30 days.

  • 2% Compensation: Homes with this rate stay on the market longer, averaging 51 days, and only 61% sell within the initial month.



Best Practices for Sellers As a seller in the competitive Snohomish County real estate market, setting your compensation for the buyer's broker is a decision that should be made with careful consideration of the current market conditions, your timeline for selling, and the unique attributes of your property.


While the Snohomish County real estate market is influenced by numerous factors, compensation to buyer brokers is a lever that sellers can control. The recent data suggests that homes with higher offered compensation sell quicker and more often within the first 30 days. However, this is just one piece of the real estate puzzle. Partnering with a knowledgeable agent who understands the intricacies of Snohomish County real estate can provide you with tailored advice for your situation.

*In WA state it is not a requirement for a seller to offer any compensation for the buyer's broker. This data was sourced from the NWMLS on February 24th, 2024 and covers resale homes in Snohomish County that sold in the last 180 days.

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