Home Sellers: Here's What the NAR Settlement Means for You

As a home seller, you have a wide range of options when it comes to listing your home. Agents who are REALTORS® are a trusted source of advice and stand ready to help you navigate this complex process and make the best choices for you. Recent changes from NAR’s settlement have led to several updates related to broker commissions that benefit sellers, and we wanted to clearly lay them out for you.

What the Settlement Means for Home Sellers:

1. Offering Compensation to Buyer Brokers: You still have the choice to offer compensation to buyer brokers. This can be a strategic way to market your home and make your listing more attractive to potential buyers.

2. Disclosure of Payments: Your agent must clearly disclose to you and obtain your approval for any payment or offer of payment that a listing broker will make to another broker acting for buyers. This disclosure must be in writing and made in advance of any payment or agreement to pay another broker, specifying the amount or rate of such payment.

3. Advertising and MLS Listings: If you choose to approve an offer of compensation, your agent cannot include it on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Instead, your agent can advertise your listing via off-MLS platforms such as social media, flyers, and websites. However, you can still offer buyer concessions on an MLS, such as covering buyer closing costs.

These changes will go into effect on August 17, 2025.

What the Settlement Doesn’t Change:

1. Support from REALTORS®: Agents who are REALTORS® are dedicated to helping you navigate the home-selling process and are ethically obligated to work in your best interest.

2. Negotiable Compensation: Compensation for your agent remains fully negotiable. If your agent is a REALTOR®, they must abide by the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and have clear and transparent discussions with you about compensation. When choosing an agent, ask questions about compensation and discuss what you would like to offer buyers.

3. Your Choices Matter: You have many choices when selling your home. Work with your agent to understand the full range of these options, helping you make the best possible decision for your needs.

By staying informed about these changes, you can make well-informed decisions and work effectively with your REALTOR® to achieve a successful home sale.