Whether a listing agent is worth the fee depends on how much of the sale a homeowner can handle alone and on the services and fee agreed in writing, because real estate commissions are fully negotiable and not set by law. Most sellers do hire help: in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 91 percent of sellers sold with the assistance of a real estate agent, and 5 percent sold the home themselves (FSBO), the lowest share on record. Amanda Mullins, REALTOR® with eXp Realty in Springfield, Ohio, and a Former Appraisal Management Director, walks sellers through what a listing includes and what it costs before they sign anything.
Source: National Association of REALTORS®, 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (November 2025, accessed October 18, 2026).
By Amanda Mullins, MBA, SRES, REALTOR® | eXp Realty | Former Appraisal Management Director
What does a listing agent do for a seller?
Sellers in the NAR 2025 Profile said they most wanted help marketing the home to buyers (23 percent), pricing the home competitively (19 percent), and selling within a specific timeframe (19 percent). Eighty-six percent said their agent provided a broad range of services. The table shows how the main tasks are handled either way.
| Task | Selling with a listing agent | Selling on your own (FSBO) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Agent prepares a comparative market analysis from recent nearby sales | Seller researches sales, or pays for an appraisal |
| Marketing | NAR reports agents listed homes on an MLS (85 percent), used yard signs (67 percent), and held open houses (59 percent) | Seller arranges photos, online listings, signs, and open houses |
| Showings and buyer questions | Agent schedules showings and handles inquiries | Seller schedules showings and screens buyers |
| Offers and negotiation | Agent reviews offers, terms, inspection requests, and appraisal issues with the seller | Seller negotiates directly with the buyer or the buyer's agent |
| Disclosures and paperwork | Agent helps the seller complete Ohio's residential property disclosure form and the purchase contract | Seller completes the forms, often with a real estate attorney |
| Closing | Agent coordinates with the title company, lender, and buyer's agent | Seller coordinates directly |
Source: NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers; Ohio Revised Code 5302.30 (accessed October 18, 2026). Ohio law requires sellers of most residential property to complete the state disclosure form and deliver it to prospective buyers.
How are real estate commissions set after the NAR settlement?
Practice changes from the NAR settlement took effect on August 17, 2024. According to NAR:
- Broker fees and commissions are fully negotiable and not set by law.
- Offers of compensation to buyer brokers are no longer allowed on the MLS. Sellers can still offer compensation off the MLS, and can offer buyer concessions, such as help with closing costs, on the MLS.
- Agents working with buyers through an MLS must have a written agreement with the buyer before touring a home, and that agreement must state the agent's compensation.
For a seller, that means the listing fee, and whether to offer anything toward the buyer's side, are decisions made and written into the listing agreement and the purchase contract.
What does Ohio law require of a listing brokerage?
Ohio Revised Code 4735.56 (effective September 30, 2025) requires each brokerage to have a written brokerage policy on agency and give it to prospective sellers. The policy explains the agency relationships allowed in Ohio and the duties an agent owes a client, the brokerage's policy on representing buyers and sellers, and whether the brokerage might act as a dual agent, including the client's options if that happens. The listing agreement itself is a written contract, so its length, fee, and cancellation terms are worth reading before signing.
When might selling on your own work?
The NAR 2025 Profile found that among sellers who already knew the buyer, 38 percent sold the home themselves, while 96 percent of sellers who did not know the buyer used an agent. Selling on your own can be a fit when:
- A buyer is already lined up, such as a relative, neighbor, or tenant.
- The seller has time for showings, calls, and follow-up.
- The seller is comfortable with pricing research, negotiation, disclosures, and contract terms, or plans to hire a real estate attorney.
What should you ask before signing a listing agreement?
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is the fee, and is it a percentage or a flat amount? | Commissions are negotiable; the agreement should state the number |
| How long is the agreement, and how can it be canceled? | It sets how long the seller is committed |
| What services are included, and which cost extra? | Photos, staging advice, and marketing vary by agent |
| How will the home be priced? | Ask to see the comparable sales behind the price |
| What will you recommend about buyer broker compensation or concessions? | Since August 17, 2024, this is a seller decision outside the MLS |
| Can I see your brokerage's written policy on agency? | Ohio law requires brokerages to provide it to prospective sellers |
| Can I see an estimated net sheet? | Shows what the seller would take home after costs |
How do you compare the cost with the value?
An estimated net sheet is the clearest way to compare: the expected sale price minus the listing fee, any buyer-side compensation or concessions, seller closing costs, repairs, and moving, set side by side with the same estimate for a sale without an agent, including the cost of the seller's own time and any attorney fees. For the closing cost side, see What closing costs do sellers pay in Springfield, Ohio?, and for interviewing agents, What are the biggest red flags when interviewing Springfield listing agents?
A note from Amanda
Before I became a REALTOR®, I spent 13+ years in residential appraisal management. I also hold the MBA and SRES credentials shown in my byline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are real estate commissions negotiable in Ohio?
Yes. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, broker fees and commissions are fully negotiable and not set by law. The fee is set in the written listing agreement between the seller and the brokerage.
What percentage of home sellers use a real estate agent?
In the NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 91 percent of sellers sold with the assistance of a real estate agent, and 5 percent sold on their own, the lowest share on record.
Do sellers still pay the buyer's agent after the NAR settlement?
It is the seller's choice. Since August 17, 2024, offers of compensation to buyer brokers are not allowed on the MLS, but sellers can still offer compensation off the MLS or offer buyer concessions. Buyer agents' pay is set in a written agreement with the buyer.
What does an Ohio brokerage have to give a seller?
Ohio Revised Code 4735.56 requires each brokerage to give prospective sellers its written brokerage policy on agency, which explains agency relationships, the duties an agent owes a client, and whether the brokerage may act as a dual agent.
Talk with Amanda
Thinking about selling in Springfield, New Carlisle, Enon, or elsewhere in Clark County? Call or text Amanda Mullins at (317) 750-6316, or use the contact page.
Sources
- National Association of REALTORS®, 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, Highlights (November 4, 2025): https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-11/2025-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers-highlights-11-04-2025.pdf, and "FSBOs Reach All-Time Low, More Sellers Rely on Agents": https://www.nar.realtor/news/real-estate-news/fsbos-reach-all-time-low-more-sellers-rely-on-agents (both accessed October 18, 2026).
- National Association of REALTORS®, "What the NAR Settlement Means for Home Buyers and Sellers" (updated May 24, 2024): https://www.nar.realtor/the-facts/what-the-nar-settlement-means-for-home-buyers-and-sellers (accessed October 18, 2026).
- Ohio Revised Code 4735.56, Written brokerage policy on agency required (effective September 30, 2025): https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4735.56, and Ohio Revised Code 5302.30, residential property disclosure form: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5302.30 (both accessed October 18, 2026).
- Amanda Mullins, About page: https://www.movesmartwithamanda.com/about (checked October 18, 2026).
Helpful Related Reading
- How do homeowners price a home to sell in Springfield, Ohio?
- What closing costs do sellers pay in Springfield, Ohio?
- What are the biggest red flags when interviewing Springfield listing agents?
- Should you stage your home before selling in Springfield, Ohio?
- How long does it take to sell a home in Springfield, Ohio?
- Should I sell my Springfield home now or wait?
