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Veterans can now pay their own buyer's agent
Short answer
Veterans can pay their own buyer's agent on a VA loan. VA allowed this temporarily after the 2024 real estate commission changes, and the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, signed July 30, 2025, made it permanent. In Chicago, most VA buyers still ask the seller to cover the buyer's agent, but paying it yourself is now allowed if the seller refuses.
Before the change
VA’s old rules listed buyer broker fees among charges a veteran could not pay. After the 2024 national commission settlement, sellers were no longer expected to offer buyer-agent pay, which risked leaving VA buyers without representation.
Now
- You can sign a buyer agreement and pay the agent at closing.
- You can still ask the seller to pay it as part of your offer.
- Seller payment of your agent’s commission is not counted toward the 4% concession limit.
Common questions
Can a veteran pay a buyer's agent with a VA loan?
Yes. The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, signed July 30, 2025, made it permanent.
Sources
What will your VA funding fee be?
Enter a price and down payment to see the 2026 fee, or check whether you are exempt.
An independent guide. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and not a lender. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.