by Michele Williamson, Designated Broker & Partner The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) lawsuit came out in October 2023 followed by a major settlement in March 2024. As part of the settlement, NAR agreed to change its practices to increase transparency and communication. As a buyer, the changes coming forth from this settlement offer you more opportunities to choose the right agent for your situation. The settlement terms have brought into light the transparency required in a real estate transaction, and the choices a consumer has when it comes to real estate. Realistically, negotiations have happened throughout the contract in many different ways throughout our real estate history. It's important to understand that the agent you hire who's going to take you through the selling process is there to negotiate on your behalf and have your best interests at heart. The biggest change coming from the terms of the NAR settlement is that compensation will not be offered on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). You, as the home seller, can still offer compensation to the buyer's agent – and you get to negotiate it however you see fit. If you want to do that before the purchase contract, or even if you want to do that within the purchase contract terms, now, there's a little bit more flexibility. Within that flexibility is where your agent is critical in helping you understand what you need from your transaction, and facilitating that for you. Our fiduciary responsibility is always to you, our client. At the end of the day, our biggest job is to make sure that you are fully informed and educated in the entire home-selling process. That way, you can make the best, most informed decision, based on whats going to best suit your needs.