Is there any situation where I would have to pay the buyer agent commission if my home sale does not successfully close?

The commission is only paid if the buyer actually purchases the property and the closing is successful. In the unlikely scenario that your buyer is unable to complete the transaction, you do not owe the buyers agent a commission. Assuming that you don't break the purchase agreement that you previously agreed to in writing, you only pay a commission upon the successful closing of the sale of your home.