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Get the Facts
Whether you’re a REALTOR®, brokerage leader, MLS executive, homebuyer, or home seller, the resources here provide the facts and latest news on NAR's policy updates.
I am a Homebuyer or SellerLATEST POLICY RESOURCES
Multiple Listing Options for Sellers
Resources on NAR’s new MLS policy providing additional marketing choices for consumers while preserving equal access to property information on Multiple Listing Services.
What Delayed Marketing Exempt Listings Mean for Sellers
Home sellers have a new option when marketing their homes: a delayed marketing exempt listing. Find out what this means for sellers and listing agents, and how to prepare for the upcoming change.
SITZER/BURNETT SETTLEMENT RESOURCES
Consumer Resources
I am a homebuyer
- What does the NAR settlement mean for me?
- How do the MLS policy changes impact me?
- What is a written buyer agreement?
I am a home seller
- What does the NAR settlement mean for me?
- When do the settlement practice changes go into effect?
- Do sellers still need to offer compensation to buyer brokers?
Consumer Guides
Consumer Guide to Written Buyer Agreements
When searching for a home, you will be asked to sign a written buyer agreement after you’ve chosen the real estate professional you want to work with.
Consumer Guide to Open Houses and Written Agreements
Real estate professionals nationwide will require a written agreement prior to touring a home. But what if you are just attending an open house?
REALTORS®' Duty to Put Client Interests Above Their Own
NAR's Code of Ethics means that a REALTOR® cannot provide representation in a way that puts their own interests ahead of their clients' interests.
Consumer Guide: What Veterans Need To Know about Buying a Home
Veterans and active servicemembers often have unique needs when looking for a home. Find out how to address those needs before buying a home.
Consumer Guide: Offers of Compensation
As a home seller, you can choose to offer—or authorize your agent to offer—compensation to a buyer’s agent as a way to attract potential buyers.
Consumer Guide to Negotiating Written Buyer Agreements
Here's what to know about negotiating an agreement for services and compensation with an agent who is a REALTOR®.
Consumer Guide: Seller Concessions
Home sellers may choose to offer concessions to attract buyers or close a deal. Find out if this approach is right for you.
Consumer Guide: Multiple Listing Services (MLSs)
When buying or selling a home, your agent may use an MLS to find homes for sale or market your property. Here's what you need to know.
Consumer Guide: Fair Housing
Consumers and agents all have rights and responsibilities to promote a home buying or selling process free from discrimination.
Consumer Guide: Listing Agreements
One of the first things you'll do when selling your home is negotiate and sign a listing agreement with your agent. Here's what you need to know.
Consumer Guide: 10 Questions to Ask a Buyer's Agent
If you’re ready to buy a home, you should feel empowered to find and work with the agent who is the best fit for your needs.
Consumer Guide: 10 Questions to Ask a Seller's Agent
If you’re ready to sell your home, you should feel empowered to find and work with the agent who is the best fit for your needs.
Consumer Guide: Buying Your First Home
You’re ready to find your first home. Find out where to begin and what resources are available to you as you embark on your homeownership journey.
Consumer Guide: Mortgages and Financing
An agent who is a REALTOR® can help you learn about options for finding a loan that will help you pay for your new home over time.
Consumer Guide: Steps Between Signing and Closing
Once you sign a purchase agreement on your new home, there are still several steps to complete before you can finalize—or “close”—the transaction.
Consumer Guide: Agency and Non-Agency Relationships
When buying or selling a home, agency and non-agency relationships with real estate professionals vary by state law and offer different options.
Consumer Guide: The Appraisal Process
If you are financing your home purchase, you will likely be required to get a home appraisal as one of the steps between signing and close.
Consumer Guide: Home Inspections
Between signing and close, a buyer may have a home inspected to ensure it is in good condition and safe for a new owner. Here's what you should know.
Consumer Guide: Homeowners Insurance
Understanding homeowners insurance is essential for anyone looking to purchase a home—ask a REALTOR® to connect you with a licensed insurance agent.
Consumer Guide: Flood Insurance
A licensed insurance agent can advise you on purchasing the right flood insurance to protect your assets from the most common natural disaster.
Consumer Guide: Fire Damage and Policy Coverage
Most homeowners insurance policies cover fire damage. Some may limit coverage if your risk is higher. Find out how to understand your coverage.
Consumer Guide: Preparing to Sell Your Home
Here are common considerations as you prepare your home for listing and viewing by potential buyers. An agent who is a REALTOR® can guide you.
Consumer Guide: What Goes Into Pricing Your Home
An important question to ask your agent is how to determine your home's listing (asking) price. Here is what sellers should know about home pricing.
Consumer Guide: Escrow and Earnest Money
Between signing and closing, homebuyers typically deposit money into an escrow account. A REALTOR® can advise you on how to keep your deposits safe.
Consumer Guide: Preparing for Homeownership
Whether you are a first-time buyer or planning your next move, here's what prospective buyers should know to prepare for the home purchase process.
Consumer Guide: Property Taxes
Property taxes are a reality of homeownership. An agent who is a REALTOR® can help connect you with a tax expert in your area, but here are the basics.
Consumer Guide: Seller Disclosures
Home sellers must disclose certain characteristics of the property to buyers. A REALTOR® can help you understand why and what you need to disclose.
Consumer Guide: Marketing Your Home
Once you decide to sell your home, your agent will work with you to determine the best strategy to reach potential buyers and attract strong offers.
Consumer Guide: Homeowners Associations
In many housing markets, HOAs and other community associations can be part of the homebuying (and owning) experience. Here’s what buyers should know.
Consumer Guide: Navigating Multiple Offers
When your home is on the market, you may receive offers from multiple interested buyers. Here's how to determine which one is best for you.
Consumer Guide: Alternative Listing Options
An agent who is a REALTOR® can help home sellers craft a marketing strategy that best suits their needs and preferences.
Consumer Guide: Deeds and Titles
To complete a home sale, a home's ownership rights are formally transferred from the seller to the buyer. Here's what to know about deeds and titles.
Consumer Guide: Buying Land and Building a New Home
Prospective homebuyers may consider purchasing a plot of land or a new construction project instead of an existing home. Here's what you should know.
Consumer Guide: Protecting Yourself From Title Fraud
Here's what to know about how this serious crime happens, who's at risk, and how to prevent losing the title to your property.
Consumer Guide: Overcoming Barriers to Homeownership
Whether you're saving for a down payment, managing debt, or dealing with other barriers to entry, REALTORS® can help you find your dream home.
Consumer Guide: Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction
If you're navigating tax season or planning to buy a home, understanding how this deduction works can help you make smarter financial decisions.
Consumer Guide: Your Home and Estate Planning
A home is a long-term financial asset. Estate planning helps you decide what happens to your home and other assets if you can no longer care for them.
Consumer Guide: Buyer's vs. Seller's Market
Recognizing whether shifting market conditions favor buyers or sellers can help you make more confident decisions. Learn what each means for you.
Additional Consumer Information
Real Estate Practice Changes and Impact on the ConsumerinfographicAugust 17, 2024
Infographic: See how NAR’s proposed settlement and changes, which took effect on August 17, impact home buyers and sellers.
What the NAR Settlement Means for Buyers & Sellers
The settlement includes changes to real estate transactions, but importantly, consumers will continue to have choices regarding real estate services.
Homebuyers: What the NAR Settlement Means for You
REALTORS® are a trusted source of advice and stand ready to help you navigate your homebuying journey and make the choices that work best for you.
Home Sellers: What the NAR Settlement Means for You
REALTORS® are a trusted source of advice and stand ready to help you navigate the complex home selling process with choices that work best for you.
Member Resources
Dos and Don’ts When Working With Buyers
Guidance on implementing new business practice changes in your transactions with homebuyers.
Dos and Don’ts When Working With Sellers
Guidance on implementing new business practice changes in your transactions with homesellers.
Written Buyer Agreements 101
Outlining the services an MLS Participant will provide and how they will be compensated.
MLS Policy Changes Summarypdf
Details of changes to MLS policies and model MLS governing documents.
Handbook on Multiple Listing Policy
Guide for REALTOR® associations operating multiple listing services.
Settlement Agreementpdf
Full documentation of the settlement. (PDF)
Final Settlement Approval Orderpdf
Full documentation of the settlement approval order. (PDF)
Navigating the Practice Changes Webinar
Watch a recording of an all-member webinar that reviews the practice changes that took effect on August 17 and discusses where to direct consumers for answers about the settlement class notice.
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