Michigan Home Buyer Rebate: See How Much Cash You Get Back
Can you get money back at closing?
About rebates
Commission rebates to buyers are legal in Michigan. Most buyers can get about 2% of the home price back in cash at closing.
Some states let your agent share part of the commission with you. About 2% of the price is typical when it is legal. Rules differ by state; the plan checks yours.
Michigan allows buyer rebates. At 2% of a $270,000 home that is $5,400 at closing.
Rebate calculator
Look up your rebate
For example, $500,000
Michigan rebate policy and key takeaways
Michigan rebate policy
In Michigan, a buyer's agent may share part of their commission with the buyer they represent, and this is legal. Because the buyer's-agent commission is already built into the home's price, a rebate simply returns part of that money to you at closing.
Michigan broker rules govern compensation and contain no prohibition on commission rebates to buyers. Mich. Admin. Code R 339.22101 et seq.
In Michigan, home buyers can typically get about 2% of the purchase price back as a commission rebate at closing, roughly $5,394 on Michigan's median-priced home (about $269,700). It is legal here, and it returns money that is already built into the price.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Are home buyer rebates legal in Michigan?
Yes. Commission rebates to buyers are legal in Michigan. Most buyers can get about 2% of the price back in cash at closing.
How much is a buyer rebate in Michigan?
About 2% of the purchase price, paid to you in cash at closing. On Michigan's median-priced home (about $269,700) that is roughly $5,394.
How do I get a rebate when buying a house in Michigan?
Ask a buyer's agent, before you sign a representation agreement, whether they will rebate part of their commission. If they agree, get it in writing; it usually comes as a credit toward your closing costs or a check after closing.
Does a buyer rebate cost me anything?
No. The rebate comes out of the buyer's-agent commission, which the seller pays and which is already built into the home's price. A rebate simply returns part of that money to you, at no extra cost.
Is a buyer rebate taxable in Michigan?
Generally no. The IRS treats a buyer rebate as a reduction in the home's purchase price, not income, so you lower your cost basis by the rebate amount instead of paying tax on it (IRS Letter Ruling 157111-06). This is general information, not tax advice.
Official sources
More about rebates
Michigan rebates by city
Michigan home buying costs by county
Property tax, loan limits, closing costs and first-time buyer help for each Michigan county, to set beside your rebate.
- Genesee County
- Ingham County
- Kalamazoo County
- Kent County
- Livingston County
- Macomb County
- Muskegon County
- Oakland County
- Ottawa County
- Saginaw County
- Washtenaw County
- Wayne County
All 83 Michigan counties
- Alcona County
- Alger County
- Allegan County
- Alpena County
- Antrim County
- Arenac County
- Baraga County
- Barry County
- Bay County
- Benzie County
- Berrien County
- Branch County
- Calhoun County
- Cass County
- Charlevoix County
- Cheboygan County
- Chippewa County
- Clare County
- Clinton County
- Crawford County
- Delta County
- Dickinson County
- Eaton County
- Emmet County
- Genesee County
- Gladwin County
- Gogebic County
- Grand Traverse County
- Gratiot County
- Hillsdale County
- Houghton County
- Huron County
- Ingham County
- Ionia County
- Iosco County
- Iron County
- Isabella County
- Jackson County
- Kalamazoo County
- Kalkaska County
- Kent County
- Keweenaw County
- Lake County
- Lapeer County
- Leelanau County
- Lenawee County
- Livingston County
- Luce County
- Mackinac County
- Macomb County
- Manistee County
- Marquette County
- Mason County
- Mecosta County
- Menominee County
- Midland County
- Missaukee County
- Monroe County
- Montcalm County
- Montmorency County
- Muskegon County
- Newaygo County
- Oakland County
- Oceana County
- Ogemaw County
- Ontonagon County
- Osceola County
- Oscoda County
- Otsego County
- Ottawa County
- Presque Isle County
- Roscommon County
- Saginaw County
- Sanilac County
- Schoolcraft County
- Shiawassee County
- St. Clair County
- St. Joseph County
- Tuscola County
- Van Buren County
- Washtenaw County
- Wayne County
- Wexford County
Explore other states
See how Michigan's rebate ranks against every state →
See Michigan closing costs and how a rebate offsets them →
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm the current rule with your state real estate agency (linked above) before you rely on it.
See rebates in all states- Alabama
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