Florida Buyer Rebates: How a Real Estate Commission Rebate Works
What a buyer rebate is, why it’s legal in Florida, and how it shows up at closing.
What is a buyer rebate?
When you buy a property with an agent, a commission is usually paid to your agent’s brokerage, often by the builder, the seller, or the listing broker. A buyer rebate is simply part of that commission coming back to you at closing. Same property, same price, same closing date: you just keep more of the money.
Most brokerages keep the entire buyer-side commission. We’re different. That’s the whole idea behind Silver Dog Rebates.
Are buyer rebates legal in Florida?
Yes. Florida allows real estate brokerages to share part of their commission with their buyer, as long as the rebate is disclosed and properly documented in the transaction. A handful of states restrict or ban rebates; Florida isn’t one of them.
How the rebate is paid
- If you’re financing: lenders require buyer rebates to be applied to your closing costs, and most don’t allow any amount beyond those closing costs to go to you. We follow lender and title rules exactly.
- If you’re paying cash: your full rebate is credited to your purchase, reducing the funds you need to bring to closing.
- Either way, the rebate is spelled out on the Commission Disbursement Authorization our brokerage sends to the title company before closing, so it shows up on your settlement statement.
How much is a buyer rebate?
It depends on the price and the commission paid to us. Two examples from our calculators:
- New construction: about $5,100 back on a $400,000 new build, based on a 3.00% builder-paid commission. Try the new construction calculator.
- Resale: $1,250 back on a $400,000 resale, based on a 2.50% buyer’s-agent commission. Try the resale calculator.
If the commission offered is lower, the rebate is adjusted proportionately. It isn’t cancelled.
What you still get from your agent
A rebate isn’t a discount on service. You still get a real, licensed Florida agent for contract review, negotiation, inspections, the appraisal, and closing. Working with us never costs you anything as a buyer.
How to get one
- Contact us before you tour or visit a builder. We confirm the commission and your projected rebate up front.
- Shop as usual. We handle the offer, negotiation, and paperwork.
- Close. Your rebate is credited at closing, and $100 of our profit goes to the animal shelter closest to your new property.
Common questions
Does a buyer rebate change the purchase price?
No. You pay the same price for the same property. The rebate comes from the commission paid to your agent’s brokerage and is credited to you at closing.
Do I have to pay anything to work with Silver Dog Rebates as a buyer?
No. Working with us never costs you anything as a buyer. The commission is typically paid by the builder, seller, or listing broker, and part of it comes back to you.
Can I negotiate a bigger rebate?
Rebate amounts are set by us and applied the same way for every client, so they can’t be negotiated individually.
Questions? A real, licensed Florida agent answers, usually in under 90 minutes.