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Understanding the

NAR Lawsuit Settlement

What You Need to Know

In March 2024, in response to a pending lawsuit judgment against them, the National Association of Realtors® released a set of proposed policy and practice changes that will reframe the relationship between real estate professionals and buyers. To be clear, the industry’s fiduciary commitment to the best interests of clients hasn’t changed, but the way agents and buyer clients formalize professional relationships will.

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Changes to the Homebuying Experience

As a homebuyer, this proposed settlement means there will be some changes to your real estate experience:

1. Required Buyer Agreements

Prior to this settlement proposal, it was acceptable (though not widely practiced) for buyer’s agents to forge relatively informal, unwritten agreements with their clients regarding service. Following these proposed changes, buyers must sign a service agreement with a real estate professional in order to be shown homes. 

2. Buyer’s Agent Compensation

Prior to the proposed changes in the settlement, buyer’s agents were compensated via a cooperation agreement with the seller and seller’s agent facilitated by the multiple listing service. While this sort of cooperation is still allowed, the MLS is no longer allowed to coordinate it. Buyer’s agents will now be responsible for negotiating their own compensation with clients.

FAQ

As a homebuyer, these changes will require new, important conversations between you and your real estate professional. A buyer service agreement will formalize your agent’s fiduciary responsibility to you, further protecting your interests. It will allow the opportunity for real, transparent communication with your agent around compensation, offering you a clear understanding of the cost of services and how those services benefit you. 

These conversations will ultimately set buyers up for greater success in their transactions. More buyers will start the home search process with a clear understanding of their strategy, how their agent will support them, and what it will take to get to the closing table. 

Two major changes: First, compensation offers to buyer’s agents will no longer be displayed on the MLS, and the MLS won’t be allowed to facilitate commission cooperation between the buy and sell sides of transactions. Second, all buyers will be required to sign a buyer agreement with their agent outlining service terms, including commission requirements.

Yes. Luxury Presence has created a strategy guide for agents seeking advice on negotiating buy-side compensation. Get your copy of The Future of Buy-Side Compensation here

The best agents have shifted their thinking from the top line to the bottom line. They're obsessed with the client experience. They're taking action very quickly to level up the technology in their businesses because they understand it's the only way to deliver strong profitability and a world-class client experience.

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How I Work With Buyers

As my client, you can expect nothing but the highest level of service and counsel. I take my fiduciary commitment to you extremely seriously and believe that the best way to advocate for your best interests is through preparation. For each property my clients consider, I create a complete set of market research, potential pricing and offer strategies, contract negotiation tactics, and more.

Before the NAR lawsuit settlement proposal, some buyer’s agents were able to get away with doing the bare minimum. Thanks to assumed cooperation with the seller, they might get paid for simply showing up, unlocking doors, and pushing papers. 

While that was never my approach, it is now no longer the world we live in. As my client, you can rest assured that I will provide you with expert-level service and advice throughout our professional relationship.

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Testimonials

Read what our clients have to say about working with us.
"My experience with Kelli and her team was amazing. They were extremely professional, and made my house look so great that I almost decided not to sell! I would not hesitate to hire them again at any point (and I may ask them to stage my next house just for me – not for selling purposes!) I highly recommend them to anyone looking to stage their home for sale."
"My experience with Kelli and her team was amazing. They were extremely professional, and made my house look so great that I almost decided not to sell! I would not hesitate to hire them again at any point (and I may ask them to stage my next house just for me – not for selling purposes!) I highly recommend them to anyone looking to stage their home for sale."
Tracey B.
"We had been looking for a lake house for a few years and Kelli knew that we had a tight budget. She convinced us to take a look at something that we would have passed on if left on our own - and it turns out we loved it! Even if you are just thinking of buying "some day" I would recommend having Kelli help you no matter what stage you are at. "
"We had been looking for a lake house for a few years and Kelli knew that we had a tight budget. She convinced us to take a look at something that we would have passed on if left on our own - and it turns out we loved it! Even if you are just thinking of buying "some day" I would recommend having Kelli help you no matter what stage you are at. "
C. Carroll
"My family recently decided to purchase a vacation home in Skaneateles, NY. When we reached out to our circle to find a knowledgeable realtor in the area, one name kept getting recommended and it was Kelli Ide. We took a leap of faith and decided to work with Kelli, never having met her and living about an hour away. It was a great decision and within a week we found our dream vacation home. Because of Kelli’s extensive knowledge of the market, we were able to get a house we had our eye on that was already under contract. The negotiation process was fast and fair. Kelli got us a great deal and we recommend her without any hesitation!"
"My family recently decided to purchase a vacation home in Skaneateles, NY. When we reached out to our circle to find a knowledgeable realtor in the area, one name kept getting recommended and it was Kelli Ide. We took a leap of faith and decided to work with Kelli, never having met her and living about an hour away. It was a great decision and within a week we found our dream vacation home. Because of Kelli’s extensive knowledge of the market, we were able to get a house we had our eye on that was already under contract. The negotiation process was fast and fair. Kelli got us a great deal and we recommend her without any hesitation!"
Alison B.
"I knew that selling a very unique, historic home in 2020, right in the midst of the Covid lockdown would be a challenge. I also knew that this special house would sell itself if only the audience would come. The listing and presentation were critical to success and Kelli and her team were my design angels! My home was beautifully arranged, and the presentation was absolutely enchanting. I highly recommend that you partner with this incredible group."
"I knew that selling a very unique, historic home in 2020, right in the midst of the Covid lockdown would be a challenge. I also knew that this special house would sell itself if only the audience would come. The listing and presentation were critical to success and Kelli and her team were my design angels! My home was beautifully arranged, and the presentation was absolutely enchanting. I highly recommend that you partner with this incredible group."
Faith G.