Thriving in the New Era After The Removal of MLS Policy Statement 7.23:
How Real Estate Agents Are Successfully
Navigating Buyer’s Commission Rules 7 Months In
It’s been seven months since the sweeping rule changes around buyer’s agent compensation went into effect — specifically, the elimination of compensation offers on the MLS. What initially sent shockwaves through the real estate community has gradually become a new normal. And now, many agents are not just surviving the shift — they’re thriving.
The changes, designed to increase transparency and reduce perceived steering based on commission, have forced agents to rethink how they present and negotiate buyer’s agent compensation. But with adaptation has come innovation. In this article, we’ll break down how real estate professionals across the country have successfully adjusted their workflows, how platforms like IDX Broker are helping bridge the gap, and why this moment is a chance for the industry to raise its standards.
The Rule: A Quick Refresher
In August 2024, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) implemented a ban on including buyer agent compensation in MLS listings. The change was part of a broader push for transparency and came in response to lawsuits and regulatory pressure surrounding agent commissions.
Before this rule, seller agents commonly entered a buyer’s agent commission—typically 2.5% to 3%—directly into the MLS. This made it easy for buyer agents to know what they’d be paid and helped smooth transactions. But critics argued that this system wasn’t always clear to consumers and could lead to biased representation.
Now, buyer compensation must be negotiated off the MLS. This puts pressure on buyer agents to be more transparent with their clients — and more strategic in how they approach deals.
What’s Working: 5 Strategies Successful Agents Are Using
Now that the dust has settled, patterns are emerging. Here are five key strategies that top-performing agents have adopted to adjust to the new environment.
1. Clear, Early Conversations with Buyers
The best buyer’s agents are being proactive. They’re explaining the commission structure from the first meeting and presenting their value clearly.
Scripts have evolved. Agents now say things like, “My compensation isn’t built into the listing anymore, but here’s how we can make sure I’m paid fairly — and how we’ll try to get the seller to cover it.”
This shift has created more open, professional dialogue around compensation, and savvy agents are using it to build trust early in the relationship.
2. Including Buyer Agent Commission in Offers
Since the MLS can’t include compensation terms, agents are getting creative in contracts. Many are writing in buyer agent commissions directly into their offers, either as a seller-paid closing cost or an addendum.
This method has become increasingly common in cooperative markets. It gives listing agents the option to negotiate, but still allows buyer agents to advocate for their pay — transparently and legally.
It also puts the negotiation into the hands of the parties involved in the transaction, rather than relying on blanket policies. In most cases, sellers are still willing to pay it, especially when it helps get their home sold faster.
3. Buyer Broker Agreements Are Now the Norm
What used to be optional is now a necessity. Buyer broker agreements, once underutilized, are becoming standard in most buyer presentations.
These agreements specify how the buyer’s agent will be compensated and under what circumstances. Agents who present these agreements with confidence, and tie them to tangible value — like market expertise, negotiation skills, and property access — are finding clients receptive.
It’s a professional approach that also protects the agent’s income.
4. Partnering with Lenders for Closing Cost Coverage
In markets where buyers are tight on cash, some agents are working closely with mortgage lenders to find ways to roll commission costs into loan structures or closing cost credits.
By showing that commission can be part of a broader affordability strategy, agents are reframing the discussion around value. Buyers are more willing to agree to the arrangement when they understand how it can be structured without increasing their immediate out-of-pocket costs.
5. Using Technology to Educate and Disclose
Agents are turning to websites and listing tools to disclose potential buyer commissions in a transparent — but compliant — way. And one of the standout solutions? IDX Broker.
IDX Broker: A Quiet Hero in the New Compensation Landscape
While MLS systems have removed the ability to publish buyer commissions, third-party tools like IDX Broker offer agents a workaround — and it’s fully compliant.
Because IDX (Internet Data Exchange) displays listings through a separate feed, compensation fields can be added outside the MLS system. This gives agents the ability to provide transparency to buyers who are browsing their website, and it helps set expectations before showings begin.
For example, agents using IDX Broker can configure listing pages to display buyer agent compensation, include footnotes about how it’s subject to offer terms, or create custom tags like “Seller Offering Buyer Credit.” This helps buyers understand the financial structure without violating MLS rules.
What makes this acceptable? IDX data is displayed on an agent’s personal website — not the MLS itself. The information is controlled by the agent, and they’re allowed to add additional, factual data as long as it’s not misleading. It’s a gray area that’s already being embraced by top-producing agents and brokerages.
The Bigger Picture: Raising the Professional Bar
Many agents were nervous about these changes, fearing they’d lose leverage or income. But seven months in, something unexpected has happened: the rule has weeded out complacency and raised the professional bar.
Buyer’s agents can no longer coast on MLS compensation. They have to explain their value, structure agreements, and negotiate like true professionals. And the agents who were already doing that? They’ve been thriving.
There’s also a growing appreciation from clients who see their agent as a consultant, not just a salesperson. Transparency has fostered better relationships — and stronger referrals.
What to Watch Going Forward
As the industry continues to adjust, a few trends are worth watching:
- Wider adoption of IDX commission displays. Tools like IDX Broker will become more standard in buyer agent workflows.
- Brokerage-level solutions. Larger firms may begin to build in-house systems for tracking and disclosing commissions, keeping them off MLS but visible to consumers.
- Consumer education. Agents and associations will need to continue educating buyers and sellers about how commissions work and why buyer agents are worth their fee.
- Litigation risk and compliance. Agents must stay sharp about what’s allowed and where. While IDX display is currently seen as acceptable, local MLS rules may continue evolving.
Conclusion: This Is a Moment of Opportunity
Change is never comfortable, especially when it affects the bottom line. But the most resilient agents see this not as a crisis — but as a chance to stand out.
By embracing buyer agreements, using creative negotiation strategies, and leveraging tools like IDX Broker to maintain transparency, agents are proving that value-driven service will always have a place in this industry.
Seven months in, the panic is gone. In its place? A sharper, more strategic version of the real estate profession — one where those who rise to the challenge will build stronger businesses and better relationships for years to come.
Agent Reputation and IDX Broker have solutions to keep you compliant and competitive. If you’re still figuring out how to present your value to buyers, start with clarity, confidence — and a strategy that meets the moment. With your own personal website, you can accomplish this.
Let this be the year you lead the way, not just follow the rules!
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