Let’s Talk About the NAR Settlement (and Why Sellers Still Benefit from Working with Buyer’s Agents)

If you’ve been anywhere near a real estate headline lately, you’ve probably seen talk of the big NAR settlement and how commissions are changing. And if you’re selling your home, you might be wondering:

“Wait... do I still have to pay the buyer’s agent?”“Should I? What’s in it for me?”“Is this going to cost me more... or less?”

Let’s clear things up—without the legal jargon or panic.

What the NAR Settlement Actually Means

The recent settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is changing how real estate commissions are structured and offered, but it’s not eliminating them.

The biggest change? Compensation for buyer’s agents is no longer automatically listed in the MLS. Instead, sellers and their agents will now talk about it during the listing process and decide if they want to offer compensation—and how much.

Spoiler alert: You can still offer it. And in many cases, it makes smart business sense to do so.

So Why Would a Seller Offer to Pay a Buyer’s Agent?

Great question. Let’s think of it this way: when you list your home, you’re trying to attract the best, most qualified buyers, right?

Most of those buyers are working with an agent. In fact, the vast majority still prefer to be represented—especially first-time buyers, relocators, or anyone trying to navigate a complicated market.

Now imagine a buyer falls in love with your home… but their agent says,

“Well, you’ll need to pay my fee out-of-pocket at closing.”

For many buyers, especially those already stretching their budget with higher interest rates, that could be a dealbreaker.

Offering compensation to the buyer’s agent can help remove that financial roadblock and keep your deal moving forward.

Here’s the Part No One Tells You:

Most listing agents (myself included!) will help you build that buyer-agent compensation into the purchase price—so the buyer can finance it as part of their loan instead of coming up with it out of pocket.

Let’s say a buyer is offering $300,000 and you’re offering 2.5% to their agent. That $7,500 is baked into the price—not coming directly out of your pocket as a separate fee.

It's the same math we’ve always used—just more transparent now.

Bottom Line: It’s About Strategy, Not Obligation

You’re no longer required to offer buyer-agent compensation. That’s true. But when we sit down to list your home, we’ll talk about your goals, the current buyer pool in your area, and whether offering compensation could help your home stand out.

Because when more buyers can access your home—with trusted representation—they’re more likely to feel confident making a strong offer. And that benefits you.

Selling Smart in a New Era

The rules may be changing, but the basics haven’t: homes that are priced right, well-marketed, and accessible to buyers still sell. As your Realtor, it’s my job to help you understand your options and create a plan that makes the most sense for your situation.

If you're thinking about selling and have questions about how all of this affects you—let’s talk. I’ll make it make sense, without the fluff or fear-mongering.