Realtors settlement brings confusion, relief to Southern California’s real estate industry – Orange County Register
One thing is known for sure about a proposed settlement of a massive antitrust case against Realtors: the home selling process is about to change, and with it, how buyers and sellers compensate their agents.
Otherwise, say members of Southern California’s real estate industry, it’s too soon to decipher the impact of the $418 million deal unveiled on Friday, March 15.
Also see: Brokerage stocks tumble after Realtors agree to commission-cutting deal
Will buyers now start paying their agents directly?
Will buyers now have to sign a contract before their agent will show them any homes?
Will lenders allow buyers to roll the cost of paying agent commissions into a slightly larger mortgage?
And ultimately, will the settlement lead to smaller commissions and lower home prices?
Also see: Homebuying’s 6% commission is gone after Realtors settle lawsuit
“There’s just a lot of moving pieces that have to be settled,” said Art Carter, chief executive of the Chino Hills-based California Regional Multiple Listing Service, which covers much of Southern California. “And I’m not going to say I have my arms around every one of those moving pieces.”
In a statement announcing the settlement, the National Association of Realtors said it agreed







