Despite What the Headlines Might Suggest, Here Are Some Things Real Estate Agents Will NOT Do as a Result of the Commission Settlement

Headlines can be so misleading. The news is supposed to be objective, but it’s gotten more and more tainted by sensational headlines meant to get people to click on their links, stay tuned to their TV station, or buy their newspaper.

So it’s no surprise that the latest headlines about the recently proposed settlement over the real estate commission lawsuit have been creative and loose with the facts.

Changes are coming, but how much they’ll change is yet to be seen. Yet the media is making it sound like buyers’ agents will no longer exist, and commissions will be cut exactly in half, even though the proposed settlement doesn’t suggest that at all! Unfortunately, that could cause some huge misunderstanding between agents and their clients who are being led to believe things that aren’t likely true.

Since you never know what the media will come up with, let’s have some fun with it and take a look at some absurd things you shouldn’t expect buyers’ agents to do as a result of the settlement, even if the headlines suggest they will:

1) They will not be providing free childcare…

There’s always a chance you’ll get super close with your buyers’ agent and find they become like family, so it isn’t out of the question for an agent to end up being someone you trust to watch your children from time to time. But, even if the most reputable news source reports that agents will now be throwing in free babysitting services for a year after every house purchase, you can rest assured that’s not part of the settlement.

2) …or promising to pick up after your dogs for a year

Nor will they promise to clean up after your furbabies for the chance to do business with you. There are certainly some agents who are dog lovers and might jump at the chance to chill with your dog on occasion, but it won’t be because it was part of the proposed settlement, and it won’t include offering to pick up your dog’s poop in your backyard for the first year after a purchase.

3) They definitely won’t be paying you!

Some of the headlines make agents sound like they’ll be so desperate they’ll pay you for the right to help you find your dream home! As much as most agents love what they do, and many would say it doesn’t feel like work because they enjoy it so much, they certainly won’t be agreeing to compensate you for the privilege of giving you their time, advice, and skills.

4) And they won’t be leaving you to fend for yourself…

While the media makes it sound like this is the death knell for buyers’ agents, and they’re all going to disappear, agents will not be leaving you high and dry! Agents have been actively protecting buyers’ interests and making sure they have their own representation for decades, and won’t let this lawsuit or settlement get in the way of figuring out how to continue doing so.

They’ll figure out how to work with you within the framework of the new rules and regulations, and make sure you have someone to guide you through the ups and downs of buying a house.