Your questions,
answered.
Everything you need to know about selling your home for ZERO listing commission when you buy your next home through Phil Slezak Real Estate — serving Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Durham, and the Greater Triangle and Brunswick County areas of North Carolina.
No fine print. No catch. Just straight answers.
"In traditional listing arrangements, listing broker fees are fully negotiable but historically average around 2.5% to 3% of the sale price. On a $500,000 home, that listing-side fee alone can represent $12,500 to $15,000 deducted directly from your seller equity at closing."
— National Association of Realtors® (NAR), Seller Profile
The Zero-Commission Model
How does the zero-commission model work?
How do you make money if there's no commission on the sale?
What if a seller is unwilling to cover buyer agent fees?
We review all terms with you upfront before writing an offer. If a seller does not offer compensation, we structure your offer strategically to account for it or negotiate seller-paid concessions so you never face out-of-pocket surprises.
Is there a catch?
What if I decide not to buy a home through your team?
How does this compare to a guaranteed cash offer program?
With Sold Zero Commission™ you receive:
- Full open-market value for your property
- Our premier, full-production marketing campaign
- ZERO listing commission charged on your sale
The math is not even close.
How do I avoid paying Realtor fees when selling my home in North Carolina?
Service & Representation
Is the listing service really the same as a traditional agent?
Do I still get full buyer’s agent representation on the buy side?
What if my home does not sell right away?
Can I still negotiate on my home's listing price and terms?
Do you handle the sale and purchase at the same time?
What makes Sold Zero Commission different from 1% real estate agents or flat-fee MLS listings?
Eligibility & Process
How does the NAR settlement affect the zero-commission model?
In April 2026, NAR reached a second settlement ($52.25 million, Tuccori v. At World Properties) which received preliminary approval, with a final approval hearing scheduled for November 2, 2026. The settlement requires no new practice changes beyond those already in effect since August 2024.
On August 19, 2026, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the original NAR and HomeServices settlements, rejecting all seven appeals and upholding the $876 million deals and commission-rule changes. Practice changes and payouts continue without interruption. In early September 2026, objectors filed petitions for rehearing of the Eighth Circuit ruling; no decision has been issued and all practice changes remain in effect. Additionally, NAR repealed the MLS membership requirement effective January 1, 2026, further opening the market.
For sellers, this means buyer agent commissions are now fully negotiable and explicitly discussed upfront. The Sold Zero Commission™ model is well-positioned under these new rules: we still waive the listing-side commission on your sale, and the buyer-side commission on your purchase is negotiated transparently as part of your transaction. The result: greater clarity, more control, and the same equity savings.
Is there a minimum home value to qualify?
How long do I have to buy my next home?
What areas do you serve?
How do I get started?
FAQ
Market & Preparation
Is FSBO worth it in Raleigh NC?
For most sellers, no. National Association of Realtors data shows FSBO homes sell for roughly $55,000 less on average than agent-assisted sales — even after the seller "saves" on commission. FSBO sellers take on pricing, marketing, negotiation, and legal disclosure risk entirely on their own, with no professional support if something goes wrong.
With Sold Zero Commission, you get everything a FSBO seller is trying to avoid paying for — full marketing, expert pricing, negotiation, and representation — without the listing commission. The math is not even close.
What is the Raleigh real estate market like right now?
As of 2026, the Raleigh-area median home sale price is about $425,000, with homes spending an average of roughly 40 days on market. About one in four (roughly 24%)of active listings have taken at least one price reduction — a clear signal that pricing and marketing strategy matter more than ever in this market.
Inventory has climbed to a multi-year high and up roughly 20% year-over-year, giving buyers more negotiating room. Phil and his team price and market every listing to move quickly at full value in this environment.
What do I need to do to my home before selling?
Focus on the improvements that actually return value: fresh paint, deep cleaning, decluttering, minor landscaping, and small repairs. These typically return the most value relative to cost.
Skip major renovations like kitchen remodels or additions — they rarely recoup their full cost at resale. Phil's team walks every listing before it hits the market and tells you exactly what's worth fixing and what to skip, so you're not guessing or overspending.
What is a Zillow Showcase listing and why does it matter?
Zillow Showcase is a premium listing format — enhanced photos, an interactive floor plan, and priority placement in Zillow search results. Most agents don't offer it because it requires professional media and an added service tier.
Every Sold Zero Commission listing includes Zillow Showcase as a standard part of the marketing package. Since Zillow is the most-visited real estate site among buyers, Showcase listings get significantly more views and engagement than standard listings — at no extra cost to you.
How does Sold Zero Commission compare to selling FSBO (For Sale By Owner)?
Selling FSBO requires you to handle pricing, photography, MLS listing, legal disclosures, and offer negotiations entirely on your own — and NAR data shows FSBO homes sell for an average of $65,000 less than agent-assisted sales. Sold Zero Commission gives you full-service representation, premium marketing (including Zillow Showcase), and expert negotiation without paying a listing commission, eliminating the financial and legal risks of doing it yourself.
Can I get a guaranteed cash offer and still list on the open market?
Yes. While guaranteed cash offer programs provide fast closing times, they typically purchase homes at 80% to 87% of true market value, costing sellers tens of thousands of dollars. With Phil Slezak Real Estate, we can help you evaluate a guaranteed offer while simultaneously showing you what your home would net on the open market using our Sold Zero Commission model — allowing you to make an informed choice for your equity.
Still have questions?
Phil is happy to answer anything you have about the zero-commission model.
No obligations, no sales pressure — just a straightforward, transparent conversation about your equity and your options.
Choose the best way to get your answers below:
Listing commission waived when you purchase your next home through Phil Slezak Real Estate within 90 days of your home sale closing. Buyer agent fee applies. Program terms subject to change — contact us for current details.
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*All real estate commissions are negotiable.