Decoupling Buyer and Seller Agent Compensation: Navigating the New Rules

Written by Dave Howe, President & CEO of MetroList

There has been a lot of buzz about big changes coming to real estate in 2025. As the real estate industry continues to evolve this year, MetroList is diligently monitoring industry shifts and providing necessary resources for real estate professionals. In this blog, we explore insights from the T3 Sixty Real Estate Opportunity Report, which offers a comprehensive look at the evolving 2025 residential real estate landscape. One of the most impactful changes we want to highlight is the decoupling of buyer and seller agent compensation.

For years, the compensation model combined buyer and seller agent fees into one bundled package within the MLS system—a structure that was familiar, streamlined, and effective. However, following the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settlement in 2024, this model has changed. Buyers are now responsible for directly compensating their agents, introducing a fundamental shift in how real estate professionals operate.

What Does This Mean for You?

This shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity for our industry. It compels us to reevaluate how we position and deliver our services. By decoupling buyer and seller agent compensation, a new market for buyer agent services emerges—enabling agents to distinctly communicate their value and strategically customize their offerings to better align with consumer needs.

Opportunities for Agents

Here’s what the T3 Sixty Real Estate Opportunity Report highlights and where MetroList has you covered:

• Value-Driven Services: Consumers will expect more transparency and options. Skilled buyer agents can position themselves as negotiators who save clients’ money and provide top-notch service. After the NAR settlement, MetroList created actionable resources for subscribers, including templates for social posts and other client-centric documents. Stay tuned for additional details.
• Differentiation: With competition heating up, agents can stand out by offering premium, hassle-free services. This is an opportunity to elevate your brand. For example, MetroList launched voice-activated real estate search capabilities with Lundy, Inc. to improve the client experience. A feature like this costs you nothing and helps you promote your commitment to simplifying the real estate search process for your clients.
• Market Innovation: The decoupled structure encourages innovation and pricing strategies tailored to specific client needs. The real estate industry is moving toward a more market-driven approach, and MetroList partnered with vendors to offer unique services such as Home Value Lock to protect homebuyers by insuring up to 10% of their home’s market value for the first three years after purchase.

The Role of MetroList: Providing Value to Subscribers

At MetroList, we recognize the significance of these changes and remain committed to supporting our subscribers as they navigate this new real estate landscape in 2025 and beyond. Working together, we can collaborate toward a client-centric future by embracing the opportunities highlighted in T3 Sixty’s report.

We are dedicated to keeping you up to date on industry trends and changes and providing resources and tools to help you thrive under these new regulations. While the path ahead may appear challenging, we all have a deep passion for the industry and together we can embrace these changes and contribute to its strengthening.

Stay updated with insights and strategies from MetroList as we review the T3 Sixty Real Estate Opportunity Report in future blogs.