What changed after the 2024 NAR settlement?

# 2024 NAR Settlement Changes

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement in 2024 brought significant shifts to how real estate commissions work:

Commission Structure: The biggest change is that buyer's agent commissions are no longer automatically bundled with the seller's listing. Instead, buyers must negotiate their agent's commission separately—it's no longer posted on the MLS. This gives buyers more leverage to negotiate lower fees and reduces the assumption that sellers pay both sides.

MLS Rules: MLSs can no longer require sellers to offer buyer's agent compensation as a condition of listing. Sellers can still offer it if they choose, but it's now optional rather than standard practice.

Market Impact: These changes have created more price transparency and competition. Some agents' compensation has shifted, and the industry is still adapting to new business models. You may see more flat-fee arrangements, tiered pricing, or other creative compensation structures.

What This Means for You: If you're buying, you'll want to discuss agent compensation upfront before engaging someone. If you're selling, you have more flexibility in what you offer (or don't offer) buyer's agents. Either way, it's worth having explicit conversations about costs early in the process.

The settlement is still playing out across different markets, so experiences vary by region. When shopping for a real estate professional on realestates.city, don't hesitate to ask directly how they structure their fees—it's now more important than ever to understand the specifics before signing anything.