What the NAR Settlement Means for Denver Buyers and Sellers

As of mid-August 2024, the way real estate commissions work has changed nationwide following the National Association of Realtors settlement. Here's the plain-English version for Denver buyers and sellers.

Change one: buyer-broker agreements

Before touring homes, buyers now sign a written agreement with their agent that spells out the agent's services and compensation up front. It makes the relationship transparent — you know exactly what you're agreeing to before you start.

Change two: compensation is off the MLS

Offers of buyer-agent compensation are no longer published in the MLS. That doesn't mean sellers can't contribute toward a buyer's agent — they still can, and many do. It's now negotiated directly rather than advertised.

What it means for buyers

You'll have a clearer, written understanding of how your agent is paid. In some deals, you may negotiate for the seller to cover that cost; in others, it becomes part of your own budgeting. Talk it through early.

What it means for sellers

You have more flexibility — and more decisions — around whether and how much to offer toward a buyer's agent. It remains a strategic lever for attracting buyers.

The headlines were dramatic. The practical reality in Denver: more paperwork up front, more transparency, and the same goal — getting good representation in writing.