Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

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.

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.

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.

We have participated in many transactions with Melody Rivera and Keller Williams Urban Elite and have always been extremely satisfied. Melody works hard and crazy hours to assist in buying and selling our properties. In my opinion she is the best realtor in Denver. Contract and Closings have been seamless. Thank you Melody (and David) for all that you do.

— Judy M.

Love visiting this office!

— Donna W.

Great brokerage, friendly staff and convenient parking onsite.

— John Herte Twin Pine Properties LLC

Great office. Friendly staff.

— John H.

Kathi was so amazing and helpful in finding our cute little home! She was very accommodating and understanding of our budget. I highly recommend her as she will work her magic and get you your dream home!

— Bea S.

Melodee has become our family realtor; she has more than earned it! Each of the 9 residential transactions to date have been uniquely different and Melodee has successfully helped us navigate the challenges of each. The last scenario was ‘sell two and buy one, without moving into a temporary residence, during extremely low inventory. Her response was ‘You may think this is challenging or impossible but I do this every day; it’s actually pretty simple’. She not only made it happen with positive results on all three but with COVID-19 striking right as we launched, she also successfully helped us navigate lockdowns and all other unexpected COVID challenges. How did we make it through? We always trust Melodee every step of the way.

— Jennifer W.

Gene Lucero exceeds expectations; resourceful; understands the housing market and financial data.

— M. B.

KW's training and education is top notch and allows you to kick start your career as a knowledgeable real estate agent. The office is in the heart of it all! It's the place to be, it's up and coming and an incredible amount of growth going on right now.

— Evergreen C.

Not only is this office full of great agents, it is full of great people. KWRUE is an exceptional hub for real estate excellence, professionalism, and knowledge.

— Chelsea S.

Jeremy helped us sell our home! He walked us through every step, came up with a game plan, showed us what to focus on. He got us listed quickly and we went under contract in only 5 days! Jeremy communicated throughout the process so we always knew the next step.

— Seller