Buying or selling a home in Westchester County, NY can feel expensive. With commissions, closing costs, title insurance, and transfer taxes, total transaction expenses can rise quickly — sometimes by thousands.
Here’s the surprising truth: how buyer’s agent commissions are paid can significantly impact total transaction costs. Many buyers and sellers overpay without realizing it.
Why Seller-Paid Commissions Inflate Costs
Traditionally, sellers cover the buyer’s agent commission. While convenient, it artificially increases the home’s purchase price — triggering a chain reaction that raises several transaction expenses.
How Inflated Prices Increase Total Costs
- Higher commissions — since they’re based on a higher sale price
- Higher title insurance fees — title costs scale with price
- Higher transfer taxes — more expensive sales equal higher taxes
- Higher appraisal risks — inflated prices can cause appraisal gaps
In short: rolling commissions into the sale price causes sellers and buyers to overpay, simply to make commission payments easier.
And it’s unnecessary.
The Smarter Alternative — Buyers Pay Commissions Directly
Buyers can save money without weakening their offers by paying their buyer’s agent directly.
How This Strategy Reduces Costs
- Lower the purchase price by the buy-side commission amount
- Finance or pay the commission directly to the agent
- Reduce overall transaction expenses: commissions, title insurance, transfer taxes, and closing costs
- Keep more cash on hand — no extra upfront payment
- Submit cleaner, more attractive offers to sellers
The result:
✔ Lower home prices
✔ Lower fees
✔ Lower cash-to-close
A win-win for both buyers and sellers.
Why This Matters for Westchester Buyers and Sellers
Westchester is a highly competitive market, and every financial edge matters.
Benefits for Buyers
- Save cash upfront
- Lower total transaction costs
- Stand out with more appealing offers
Benefits for Sellers
- Fewer inflated expenses
- Smoother, cleaner closings
The Mark Seiden Real Estate Team helps clients implement this strategy to maximize savings across Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange County NY, and Fairfield County CT.
Take Control of Your Transaction Costs
If you’re buying a home in Westchester County, paying your buyer’s agent directly is one of the simplest ways to save thousands throughout the transaction.
Learn more through our three-part video series: Buyers, Don’t Have the Sellers Pay-Out Buy-Side Commissions — Parts 1, 2, and 3.