How the NAR Settlement Affects Home Buyers
What buyers need to know about mandatory representation agreements and paying their own agents.
Following the NAR and DOJ legal actions, home buyers must now sign a written representation agreement before touring a home with a Realtor. This agreement explicitly outlines how much the buyer's agent will be paid. Because sellers are no longer required to cover this cost via the MLS, buyers may need to negotiate these fees directly or ask for seller concessions during the offer process. This shift makes it critical for buyers to have skilled legal and brokerage representation to navigate the new landscape of unbundled fees and ensure they aren't overpaying for standard agent services.