In a rare show of unanimous support, both chambers of Congress have thrown their weight behind a significant reform that promises to reshape the homebuying experience for America’s veterans. With the Senate’s voice vote this week, H.R. 1815, the VA Home Loan Reform Act, is now on its way to President Trump’s desk, poised to become law.
This bipartisan legislation, backed by the National Association of REALTORS®, aims to permanently allow veterans to directly compensate their real estate agents, ensuring they can compete on equal footing in today’s competitive housing market.
Even before this congressional action, NAR had been fighting for fairness in the homebuying process. In 2024, NAR successfully advocated for temporary suspension of a Department of Veterans Affairs rule that prohibited VA buyers from compensating their agents. With practice changes going into effect that year that would change the way buyer’s agent compensation is set and communicated, the rule would have unfairly disadvantaged veterans and active-duty service members trying to use their VA loan benefit. VA’s policy shift brought immediate relief, but it wasn’t enough. Real estate professionals, veterans’ groups and lawmakers alike agreed that a permanent fix was needed.
“This is about fairness,” says Shannon McGahn, executive vice president and chief advocacy officer for the National Association of REALTORS®. “Veterans deserve the same shot at homeownership as every other buyer.”
What’s Changing—and Why It Matters
The VA Home Loan Guaranty Program is one of the nation’s most successful homeownership tools, enabling veterans to purchase homes with no down payment. In 2024 alone, VA-backed lenders financed approximately 490,000 home purchases and refinances. But there was a catch: VA policy barred veterans from paying for their real estate representation.
That meant if sellers didn’t cover the homebuyer’s agent fee—a scenario that’s more likely since implementation of the practice changes—veterans would be forced to go without expert guidance or would be edged out of deals altogether.
“This rule put veterans at a real disadvantage,” McGahn explains. “Imagine trying to navigate a high-stakes, fast-moving market without a knowledgeable advocate on your side.”
The Road to Reform
H.R. 1815 was crafted with input from NAR and key stakeholders; the bill addresses more than just agent compensation. It also establishes a partial claims program to assist veterans experiencing difficulties with late mortgage payments, providing a critical safety net for those facing financial hardship.
Its passage marks a hard-fought victory for advocates who’ve worked closely with the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. NAR, in particular, has played a pivotal role in pushing the issue to the top of the legislative agenda.
“The role of real estate professionals in a VA loan transaction cannot be overstated,” McGahn notes. “They help veterans navigate complex eligibility requirements, secure financing, and ensure their offers are being considered and seen by sellers.”
With H.R. 1815 now awaiting the president’s signature, veteran homebuyers are on the verge of being granted the protections that ensure their service to the country is honored when it comes to purchasing a home.
And for McGahn and the NAR members who stood behind this bill, it’s a moment of both celebration and renewed commitment.
“NAR remains committed to protecting the brave men and women who serve this country in the armed forces,” she says. “Everyone deserves a fair shot at the American Dream, and that starts with a place to call home.”
