If I refuse a full price offer, do I have to pay my real estate agent any fees?
If you refuse a full‑price offer, whether you owe your real estate agent a fee depends entirely on the wording in your listing agreement. Most people don’t realize this, but the contract you signed at the beginning quietly controls everything that happens later.
Many listing agreements include a clause that says the agent earns their commission if they bring you a “ready, willing, and able” buyer at the full asking price — even if you decide not to accept the offer. Not every agreement has this clause, but many do, and it’s the part that catches sellers off guard.
Now, in real‑world practice, most agents aren’t looking to force a commission out of a client who simply had a change of heart. But legally speaking, if that clause is in your contract, the brokerage could claim the commission because they technically fulfilled their obligation.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Check your listing agreement. This is the only place where the real answer lives.
- Full‑price offers with contingencies may not trigger the commission clause, depending on how the contract is written.
- If you’re unsure, ask your agent directly — or have an attorney take a quick look. A five‑minute review can save you a big headache.
So, do you automatically owe a fee? Not necessarily. But depending on your contract, you might. The safest move is to read that clause before you make any decisions.