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April 2024 » thefivestar.com 53 F I V E S T A R I N S T I T U T E M E M B E R S ' I N S I G H T S a knowledgeable agent will show their worth. This will prove you get what you pay for." How Soon Will This Affect Realtors? A ccording to Gonzales Jr., the proposed settlement by NAR will introduce systemic changes starting in July 2024. He also said that he anticipates the effects to be "progressive" rather than immediate. "Given that we offer our clients control over their real estate transactions, including deciding how to compensate buyer's agents, we don't expect a drastic shift in our day-to-day operations," Gon- zalez Jr. continued. "However, we foresee an industry-wide impact that could alter how buyers and sellers perceive value in real estate services." Huck said this news was on her radar, but it turned out differently than expected. "For years, banks have been looking for a way into the real estate side of the market as an additional revenue stream. I thought that would have eventually played out but from other angles. Even with edu- cation and experience, no one can predict the path the market will take." Jim Hastings, Chair of the FORCE Advisory Council and Broker/Owner of Hastings Brokerage, LTD., said, "Right now, it is too early to tell. We can specu- late, but I think only time will tell." What Does This Mean for the Bottom Line? R egarding the potential impact of the NAR settlement on agents' bottom lines, Gonzalez Jr., said, "The changes stemming from this settlement could re- inforce the demand for transparent pric- ing structures like ours. If the industry shifts towards more transparent practic- es, it could underscore the benefits of our model and potentially attract consumers who are now more aware of their options and the value they can receive." "We do not see this as a threat but rather as a confirmation of the consum- er-first approach we've championed," he concluded. "The NAR settlement may present an opportunity for growth, as it might encourage homeowners to seek out alternative models that can offer savings and simplicity." Huck was not sure how this would affect her going forward but said, "As a real estate broker, this is going to change the way I negotiate my contracts specifi- cally since the compensation is no longer being advertised on the multiple listing services (MLS). If I'm the listing broker and I find a qualified buyer who has no agent representation, I could be putting myself at risk by having to negotiate with the buyer's and the seller's best interests in mind. This has always been an issue with closing both sides and will be more evident in the transactions ahead." Hastings made similar comments on how this might affect his brokerage going forward, "We may have to talk to each other a bit more like in the old days," he speculated, "but Realtors are wired to communicate with others and will adapt well to this change." ...we don't expect a drastic shift in our day-to-day operations However, we foresee an industry-wide impact that could alter how buyers and sellers perceive value in real estate services." —Jesus (Jesse) D. Gonzalez Jr., Realtor, Broker/Owner, Liberty House Realty, LLC