Commission is usually the first question people ask about when they start thinking about selling in Marble Falls, and it’s a fair one. Here’s the short version: real estate commissions in Texas have never been fixed by law, and since a 2024 industry-wide settlement changed how commissions get disclosed, the topic gets even more questions than it used to. I’m Robbie English, Broker and REALTOR at Uncommon Highland Lakes Realty, and I’d rather walk you through how commission actually works than let you guess.
What Changed in 2024, and What Didn’t
Texas commissions were never fixed by law, and that part hasn’t changed. What did change, following a national settlement that took effect in August 2024, is how buyer’s agent compensation gets handled. Listing agents can no longer publish what they’re offering a buyer’s agent on the MLS. Instead, buyers now sign a written agreement with their own agent up front that spells out how that agent gets paid, and sellers negotiate separately whether they’ll contribute toward it. It’s more paperwork, but it also means everyone at the table knows exactly what they agreed to and why.
None of this means commissions became “standard” or disappeared. It means the negotiation happens more explicitly than it used to.
What a Commission Is Actually Paying For
A commission isn’t a flat fee for putting a sign in the yard. On a typical Marble Falls sale, it’s covering pricing analysis pulled from actual TREC/MLS comparables (Texas is a non-disclosure state, so public tax records won’t show you real sale prices; an agent with MLS access is working from data you can’t get on your own), professional photography and marketing aimed at the right buyer pool, negotiation through option period and appraisal, and coordinating everything from inspection repairs to the closing table. Cut the fee and something in that list usually gets cut too.
Why the Lowest Rate Isn’t Always the Best Deal
The math sellers usually skip: a home that sits an extra month because it was priced from a guess, or that gets fewer showings because the marketing budget was thin, can cost you a lot more than a percentage point of commission. I’ve watched it happen: a seller saves on the front end and gives back more than that in a slower sale or a lower final offer. That’s the tradeoff worth thinking through, not just the number on the listing agreement.
Pricing Strategy Is Where This Actually Gets Decided
I hold the Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification through the National Association of REALTORS. It’s training specifically focused on setting a price that holds up against real comparables rather than wishful thinking. In a non-disclosure state like Texas, that access to actual closed-sale data (not third-party estimate sites, which are frequently wrong here) is a meaningful part of what a commission is paying for.
Buyers, This Applies to You Too
If you’re buying in Marble Falls, the quality of your buyer’s agent affects your outcome even though the seller has traditionally covered part of that cost. A buyer’s agent who structures a weak offer, misses a contract contingency, or doesn’t know how to read the local market can cost you far more than any commission conversation would.
Commission is just one piece of what selling actually costs. See my full cost to sell a home in Marble Falls breakdown for the complete picture, including closing costs and carrying costs.
Let’s Talk About Your Specific Situation
Every sale is different, and so is every fair commission conversation. Reach out to me directly and I’ll walk you through exactly what my fee includes and how it applies to your property. No pressure, just a straight answer. You can also call or text 830-953-5571.
