You’ve got one big job in 2024:

Create a new buyer presentation.

Your 2024 buyer presentation needs to include information about and around the NAR settlement. You don't have to talk about the settlement per se, but you have to adapt based on the settlement. If you had a buyer presentation that you're using in 2022 or 2023, you have to rebuild it now.

Some of you don't have one at all. But it shouldn't be difficult to build one because we do one with listings all the time. But I get it. It's new and it's different. So, it’s going to be a little bit uncomfortable. So lemme give you some language to help you make it more comfortable.

When meeting a buyer for the first time, ask if you can show them how you work. Another approach could be to explain your process or walk them through the 10 steps involved in buying a house. Most people will agree, giving you permission to present.

In your presentation, make sure to discuss buyer representation fees and the need for a buyer...

Hey everyone, with the recent Sitzer Burnett lawsuit and NAR's loss, even though there are pending appeals, how should we adjust our approach to working with buyers? Waiting for the appeals isn't an option; we need to change right away.

So, what should we change? We must revamp our tactics and strategies. Today, I want to discuss a couple of key elements that should be part of your buyer presentation.

A common question from buyers is, "Why pay a buyer's agent a hefty sum to search for properties on the MLS when we can do it ourselves on platforms like Zillow or Realtor.com?"

This is a valid concern. To prove our value, we need to show that we bring a lot more to the table. In your buyer presentation, just like a listing presentation, there are crucial points to cover.

When it comes to the property search, it's not just about using the MLS. We go above and beyond. I emphasize that we leave no stone unturned. I mention that, of...

There are some significant changes happening in the real estate industry:

If you've been following the Zillow lawsuit, you might know that recently, two major players, Realogy (which includes Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Sotheby's) and RE/MAX, settled this lawsuit. While other companies and the National Association of REALTORS are still part of this ongoing lawsuit, these two giants settled for substantial amounts—Realogy for 85 million and RE/MAX for over 55 million.

But what's more crucial is what they agreed to within the settlement itself, not just the financial aspect:

They've agreed to give sellers the option to not pay buyer agent commissions (BAC) when listing their homes. This means that when a property is listed on the MLS, sellers can choose to set the buyer agent commission to zero.

Imagine this scenario:

In your market, a significant portion of sellers start opting not to pay a buyer agent...

Guys, you've probably heard about the class-action lawsuits targeting realtor organizations, MLS groups, and large franchises.

The plaintiffs claim that they were unaware they were paying both their own fees and the buyer's fees. The lawsuits aim to either eliminate seller-paid brokerage fees or ensure transparent disclosure of these fees. While similar lawsuits have been filed in the past, these recent cases are gaining traction, resulting in settlements.

For instance, a New England MLS paid a 3 million settlement to resolve the issue.

This poses a significant challenge to our industry's business model, which has operated on the basis of sellers covering the REALTOR fees for decades. We may face a future where we have to approach buyers and inform them that they must pay their fees at closing and make a choice regarding representation. If they want me to represent them, we'll have a conversation, sign a document,...