What the 2024 NAR settlement actually changed
Effective August 17, 2024, the National Association of Realtors settled a set of antitrust lawsuits for $418 million and agreed to change how commission offers work across the MLS system nationwide.
1. Buyer-agent compensation is off the MLS
Sellers' agents can no longer list how much they're offering a buyer's agent directly on the MLS. Compensation fields were stripped from MLS data feeds and listing displays entirely.
2. Sellers are no longer automatically on the hook for both agents
Before the settlement, the standard practice was: seller pays their own agent, and that agent's commission included an amount passed to the buyer's agent. Now, the buyer's agent fee is negotiated directly between buyer and agent — a seller can still choose to cover it as part of the deal, but it's a negotiating point, not a default.
3. Buyers need a signed agreement before touring
Real estate agents must now have a written buyer-representation agreement in place before showing homes, spelling out how that agent gets paid.
What this means for your numbers
Any commission calculator that assumes "seller always pays 5-6% total" is describing the old model. Use the toggle on the commission calculator to see your number under "seller covers it," "seller doesn't," or a negotiated concession.
FAQ
When did the NAR settlement take effect?
August 17, 2024. NAR agreed to a $418 million settlement and sweeping changes to MLS policy.
Does the seller have to pay the buyer's agent now?
No. That fee is negotiated separately between buyer and buyer's agent. About 35% of sellers still choose to cover it as a concession, but it is optional.
What else changed?
Compensation offers were removed from MLS listings/data feeds entirely, and buyer's agents must now sign written agreements with buyers before touring homes.