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Understanding the

NAR Lawsuit Settlement

What You Need to Know

In March 2024, in response to a pending lawsuit judgment against them, the National Association of Realtors® released a set of proposed policy and practice changes that will reframe the relationship between real estate professionals and buyers. To be clear, the industry’s fiduciary commitment to the best interests of clients hasn’t changed, but the way agents and buyer clients formalize professional relationships will.

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Changes to the Homebuying Experience

As a homebuyer, this proposed settlement means there will be some changes to your real estate experience:

1. Required Buyer Agreements

Prior to this settlement proposal, it was acceptable (though not widely practiced) for buyer’s agents to forge relatively informal, unwritten agreements with their clients regarding service. Following these proposed changes, buyers must sign a service agreement with a real estate professional in order to be shown homes. 

2. Buyer’s Agent Compensation

Prior to the proposed changes in the settlement, buyer’s agents were compensated via a cooperation agreement with the seller and seller’s agent facilitated by the multiple listing service. While this sort of cooperation is still allowed, the MLS is no longer allowed to coordinate it. Buyer’s agents will now be responsible for negotiating their own compensation with clients.

FAQ

As a homebuyer, these changes will require new, important conversations between you and your real estate professional. A buyer service agreement will formalize your agent’s fiduciary responsibility to you, further protecting your interests. It will allow the opportunity for real, transparent communication with your agent around compensation, offering you a clear understanding of the cost of services and how those services benefit you. 

These conversations will ultimately set buyers up for greater success in their transactions. More buyers will start the home search process with a clear understanding of their strategy, how their agent will support them, and what it will take to get to the closing table. 

Two major changes: First, compensation offers to buyer’s agents will no longer be displayed on the MLS, and the MLS won’t be allowed to facilitate commission cooperation between the buy and sell sides of transactions. Second, all buyers will be required to sign a buyer agreement with their agent outlining service terms, including commission requirements.

Yes. Luxury Presence has created a strategy guide for agents seeking advice on negotiating buy-side compensation. Get your copy of The Future of Buy-Side Compensation here

The best agents have shifted their thinking from the top line to the bottom line. They're obsessed with the client experience. They're taking action very quickly to level up the technology in their businesses because they understand it's the only way to deliver strong profitability and a world-class client experience.

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How I Work With Buyers

As my client, you can expect nothing but the highest level of service and counsel. I take my fiduciary commitment to you extremely seriously and believe that the best way to advocate for your best interests is through preparation. For each property my clients consider, I create a complete set of market research, potential pricing and offer strategies, contract negotiation tactics, and more.

Before the NAR lawsuit settlement proposal, some buyer’s agents were able to get away with doing the bare minimum. Thanks to assumed cooperation with the seller, they might get paid for simply showing up, unlocking doors, and pushing papers. 

While that was never my approach, it is now no longer the world we live in. As my client, you can rest assured that I will provide you with expert-level service and advice throughout our professional relationship.

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Testimonials

Read what our clients have to say about working with us.
"We hired Evan based on a recommendation and he was everything and more anyone could ask for when selling your house and buying a new home. We sold and bought, and moved in less than eight weeks. He knows all the ins and outs of the Arlington real estate market. He is level-headed, a pleasure to work with, always professional, and willing to respond to you at anytime of day. He provided us with great recommendations for movers and generally made our transition as smooth as possible."
"We hired Evan based on a recommendation and he was everything and more anyone could ask for when selling your house and buying a new home. We sold and bought, and moved in less than eight weeks. He knows all the ins and outs of the Arlington real estate market. He is level-headed, a pleasure to work with, always professional, and willing to respond to you at anytime of day. He provided us with great recommendations for movers and generally made our transition as smooth as possible."
HK & KK, Arlington to Arlington
"I used Evan to purchase my home in Lyon Park and, based on my experience with him, I cannot recommend him highly enough. I relocated to the area from California and Evan went out of his way to make the entire process easy for me including doing a facetime preview of the house before I came out for a visit, expertly handling the negotiation and buying process, setting up meetings with vendors at the house for work that we needed to get done and even signing for my car when it was delivered before I had arrived in the area. Evan was excellent to work with and I have recommended him to several other colleagues who are moving to the area and will use him for my future real estate needs."
"I used Evan to purchase my home in Lyon Park and, based on my experience with him, I cannot recommend him highly enough. I relocated to the area from California and Evan went out of his way to make the entire process easy for me including doing a facetime preview of the house before I came out for a visit, expertly handling the negotiation and buying process, setting up meetings with vendors at the house for work that we needed to get done and even signing for my car when it was delivered before I had arrived in the area. Evan was excellent to work with and I have recommended him to several other colleagues who are moving to the area and will use him for my future real estate needs."
SS, Los Angeles to Arlington
"I am so glad that someone refereed me to Evan Lacopo when it came to purchasing our first home. I didn’t think we would be able to find an agent who would exceed every expectation we had! Evan catered to our every need and made it seem like we were his only and most important client! Evan returned phone calls, texts, and emails promptly (including late hours into the night, and even while he was on vacation with his family!) Evan has recently teamed up with Holly who also helped in our process. Our house required extensive renovation, and she (and Evan) gave us suggestions and recommendations throughout the process (including suggesting an incredible contractor who also exceeded our expectations Stonegate Remodeling>) Evan is someone who is not only our #1 contact when it comes to real estate, but he has also become a friend of our family!"
"I am so glad that someone refereed me to Evan Lacopo when it came to purchasing our first home. I didn’t think we would be able to find an agent who would exceed every expectation we had! Evan catered to our every need and made it seem like we were his only and most important client! Evan returned phone calls, texts, and emails promptly (including late hours into the night, and even while he was on vacation with his family!) Evan has recently teamed up with Holly who also helped in our process. Our house required extensive renovation, and she (and Evan) gave us suggestions and recommendations throughout the process (including suggesting an incredible contractor who also exceeded our expectations Stonegate Remodeling>) Evan is someone who is not only our #1 contact when it comes to real estate, but he has also become a friend of our family!"
JS, Arlington to Alexandria
"Found the house we wanted to purchase, at the price we were comfortable with and Even helped negotiate it all, and did so in a way that was well-informed and confidant. We definitely recommend him to any and all who desire good service and honest dealings. Well done, Evan!"
"Found the house we wanted to purchase, at the price we were comfortable with and Even helped negotiate it all, and did so in a way that was well-informed and confidant. We definitely recommend him to any and all who desire good service and honest dealings. Well done, Evan!"
HC, Los Angeles to Washington DC
"Evan was very knowledgeable on the NOVA housing market. He made the home buying process very smooth and his responsiveness was impressive. I haven't dealt with many realtors, but I can see why he came so highly recommended. He's trustworthy and deals with unexpected situations very professionally. A good trait about Evan is his ability to keep his cool when or if, an unanticipated speed bump arises during the home buying process."
"Evan was very knowledgeable on the NOVA housing market. He made the home buying process very smooth and his responsiveness was impressive. I haven't dealt with many realtors, but I can see why he came so highly recommended. He's trustworthy and deals with unexpected situations very professionally. A good trait about Evan is his ability to keep his cool when or if, an unanticipated speed bump arises during the home buying process."
AD, Reston to Chantilly
"I would absolutely recommend Evan to anyone that is looking to purchase a home. He made this stressful process much more pleasant and offered great advice. He was always willing and able to work with the seller with questions or problems as they arose. I highly recommend him."
"I would absolutely recommend Evan to anyone that is looking to purchase a home. He made this stressful process much more pleasant and offered great advice. He was always willing and able to work with the seller with questions or problems as they arose. I highly recommend him."
CL, Arlington to Arlington
"Evan was recommended to me for my recent relocation to purchase from Atlanta to the DC area. I knew almost nothing about the area I was moving into, and Evan began immediately to ask really great questions about what I'd like to find in a house, what kind of transportation needs I might have, whether I'd prefer to be in the city or the 'burbs, etc. He provided a broad range of choices at first, then quickly honed in on the ones I liked best. I was provided with daily updates on new home listings in my areas of choice, and Evan discussed with me the pros and cons of each one I selected. It was great to have an agent who is familiar with the many and varied areas of DC, who was available to discuss options each day, and who was able to help me form a fair and realistic opinion of each of my housing choices. Because after all - you can only buy one! I bought a house that is perfect for me in Alexandria, and I have Evan to thank for helping me find it and make the purchase happen! My fiancé and I really enjoyed working with Evan during our home search. Evan was very responsive and flexible. We had very challenging schedules to work around and it was challenging for us to find time to go house hunting, but Evan was able to accommodate our hectic schedules and find time to take us out looking. One thing that was really important to us was resale value as we don't anticipate staying in area beyond five years. Evan was knowledgeable in pointing out aspects of houses that could make it difficult to sell a house that we hadn't thought of. He was with us all the way through the process and even available for questions after the closing. We hope to work with him again when it comes time to sell the house. I would highly recommend working with Evan!"
"Evan was recommended to me for my recent relocation to purchase from Atlanta to the DC area. I knew almost nothing about the area I was moving into, and Evan began immediately to ask really great questions about what I'd like to find in a house, what kind of transportation needs I might have, whether I'd prefer to be in the city or the 'burbs, etc. He provided a broad range of choices at first, then quickly honed in on the ones I liked best. I was provided with daily updates on new home listings in my areas of choice, and Evan discussed with me the pros and cons of each one I selected. It was great to have an agent who is familiar with the many and varied areas of DC, who was available to discuss options each day, and who was able to help me form a fair and realistic opinion of each of my housing choices. Because after all - you can only buy one! I bought a house that is perfect for me in Alexandria, and I have Evan to thank for helping me find it and make the purchase happen! My fiancé and I really enjoyed working with Evan during our home search. Evan was very responsive and flexible. We had very challenging schedules to work around and it was challenging for us to find time to go house hunting, but Evan was able to accommodate our hectic schedules and find time to take us out looking. One thing that was really important to us was resale value as we don't anticipate staying in area beyond five years. Evan was knowledgeable in pointing out aspects of houses that could make it difficult to sell a house that we hadn't thought of. He was with us all the way through the process and even available for questions after the closing. We hope to work with him again when it comes time to sell the house. I would highly recommend working with Evan!"
ED, Atlanta to Bethesda
"I am so glad that someone refereed me to Evan Lacopo when it came to purchasing our first home. I didn’t think we would be able to find an agent who would exceed every expectation we had! Evan catered to our every need and made it seem like we were his only and most important client! Evan returned phone calls, texts, and emails promptly (including late hours into the night, and even while he was on vacation with his family!) Evan has recently teamed up with Holly who also helped in our process. Our house required extensive renovation, and she (and Evan) gave us suggestions and recommendations throughout the process (including suggesting an incredible contractor who also exceeded our expectations Stonegate Remodeling>) Evan is someone who is not only our #1 contact when it comes to real estate, but he has also become a friend of our family!"
"I am so glad that someone refereed me to Evan Lacopo when it came to purchasing our first home. I didn’t think we would be able to find an agent who would exceed every expectation we had! Evan catered to our every need and made it seem like we were his only and most important client! Evan returned phone calls, texts, and emails promptly (including late hours into the night, and even while he was on vacation with his family!) Evan has recently teamed up with Holly who also helped in our process. Our house required extensive renovation, and she (and Evan) gave us suggestions and recommendations throughout the process (including suggesting an incredible contractor who also exceeded our expectations Stonegate Remodeling>) Evan is someone who is not only our #1 contact when it comes to real estate, but he has also become a friend of our family!"
S, Arlington to Alexandria
"Evan was an invaluable resource to us as we navigated our way through the sale of my parents' home in N Arlington. His expert guidance saved us time and money, and most importantly, removed all anxiety from the entire process. Evan facilitated the sale with the buyer, the creation and signing of the sales contract, the scheduling of inspections, and coordination of the Title Company's involvement in the process. Above and beyond the sales process, Evan offered useful suggestions for ways to donate the larger household items that are often hard to recycle. Only one month after contacting Evan for assistance, the house was sold, emptied of furniture no longer needed, and the cash was in my parents' account. He made what could have been a stressful, time-consuming process an easy, quick transaction. Our family highly recommends reaching out to Evan if you are looking to painlessly conduct a sale off the open market."
"Evan was an invaluable resource to us as we navigated our way through the sale of my parents' home in N Arlington. His expert guidance saved us time and money, and most importantly, removed all anxiety from the entire process. Evan facilitated the sale with the buyer, the creation and signing of the sales contract, the scheduling of inspections, and coordination of the Title Company's involvement in the process. Above and beyond the sales process, Evan offered useful suggestions for ways to donate the larger household items that are often hard to recycle. Only one month after contacting Evan for assistance, the house was sold, emptied of furniture no longer needed, and the cash was in my parents' account. He made what could have been a stressful, time-consuming process an easy, quick transaction. Our family highly recommends reaching out to Evan if you are looking to painlessly conduct a sale off the open market."
Bonnie M, Arlington to Arlington
"Evan is everything I was looking for in an agent. He took all the stress of selling our house from us by managing every aspect of the sale from the moment we listed the house until we closed. He is a total professional. He responded quickly to every question I had, is hard working and offered reassurance when he knew we needed it. I couldn't recommend him more highly if you are looking for a realtor to help you buy or sell your home."
"Evan is everything I was looking for in an agent. He took all the stress of selling our house from us by managing every aspect of the sale from the moment we listed the house until we closed. He is a total professional. He responded quickly to every question I had, is hard working and offered reassurance when he knew we needed it. I couldn't recommend him more highly if you are looking for a realtor to help you buy or sell your home."
KD, Arlington to Chicago
"Evan Lacopo is the most service-oriented, hard-working, solution-finding realtor with whom we have worked with in selling property. He anticipated issues, took responsibility for each problem as it arose, and brought in the sale. Evan Lacopo consistently got to problems first and solved them before those problems came to my attention (or the buyers). All I would see was the solution. As a result, my stress level dropped as the sales process proceeded. Among the issues that he solved were: - finding and supervising masons to provide foundation repairs requested by the purchaser; - identifying engineers to approve the work - following up with the purchasers and their realtor at all stages of the sale to make sure that everything proceeded smoothly - pricing, sales strategy, presentation of the property, and marketing. - all logistics, legal requirements, walk through, showings, permitting, pestering, following up, showing up. We have bought and sold a number of houses, and recommend using Evan Lacopo as your realtor if you want a high level of service."
"Evan Lacopo is the most service-oriented, hard-working, solution-finding realtor with whom we have worked with in selling property. He anticipated issues, took responsibility for each problem as it arose, and brought in the sale. Evan Lacopo consistently got to problems first and solved them before those problems came to my attention (or the buyers). All I would see was the solution. As a result, my stress level dropped as the sales process proceeded. Among the issues that he solved were: - finding and supervising masons to provide foundation repairs requested by the purchaser; - identifying engineers to approve the work - following up with the purchasers and their realtor at all stages of the sale to make sure that everything proceeded smoothly - pricing, sales strategy, presentation of the property, and marketing. - all logistics, legal requirements, walk through, showings, permitting, pestering, following up, showing up. We have bought and sold a number of houses, and recommend using Evan Lacopo as your realtor if you want a high level of service."
NM, Arlington to Arlington
"Evan sold my townhouse in Germantown September 2017. I started working with him in May to prepare for listing. He paid a lot of attention to detail and was very supportive and patient when things got down to the wire. I have referred Evan and will continue doing so!"
"Evan sold my townhouse in Germantown September 2017. I started working with him in May to prepare for listing. He paid a lot of attention to detail and was very supportive and patient when things got down to the wire. I have referred Evan and will continue doing so!"
RD, Germantown to Raleigh
"I am so thankful for such a great real estate agent! My husband and I live in Georgia and we were selling out townhouse in Virginia. Evan made the long-distance process very easy and kept us informed (no matter how big or small) throughout the whole selling process. It was such a pleasure working with a realtor that truly loves his job and cares for each client as family! Evan, you are the best!"
"I am so thankful for such a great real estate agent! My husband and I live in Georgia and we were selling out townhouse in Virginia. Evan made the long-distance process very easy and kept us informed (no matter how big or small) throughout the whole selling process. It was such a pleasure working with a realtor that truly loves his job and cares for each client as family! Evan, you are the best!"
SS, Chantilly to Georgia
"From Virginia, to Maryland, to D.C., there are so many different types of neighborhoods, and Corcoran McEnearney knows how to bring them all together. We know how to show things that are sophisticated, but we make it approachable. When I think about the ways that Corcoran McEnearney has helped me with my business, I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for them. I feel successful every single day when I wake up, because I know that I have a group behind me that’s helping me to hustle. I hustle every single day because I know that there are other agents out there, particularly in my firm, who are also hustling, and we support each other."
"From Virginia, to Maryland, to D.C., there are so many different types of neighborhoods, and Corcoran McEnearney knows how to bring them all together. We know how to show things that are sophisticated, but we make it approachable. When I think about the ways that Corcoran McEnearney has helped me with my business, I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for them. I feel successful every single day when I wake up, because I know that I have a group behind me that’s helping me to hustle. I hustle every single day because I know that there are other agents out there, particularly in my firm, who are also hustling, and we support each other."
Mackenzie H.
"Okay, so one of the things that I absolutely love is that this is the first time in any business that I’ve ever been in that you sort of have this onboarding process, and what that looks like is, you know, like a lifestyle video issue. I thought it was gonna be 30 minutes. You do a headshot and you’re completely done. I spent hours like changing outfits, you know, talking to the photographer, talking to the producer, talking to all of these different people who are really focused on making me look good as I walk into the door at Corcoran McEnearney, making sure that my brand is on point, making sure they’re able to capture who I am, and that is so exciting for me."
"Okay, so one of the things that I absolutely love is that this is the first time in any business that I’ve ever been in that you sort of have this onboarding process, and what that looks like is, you know, like a lifestyle video issue. I thought it was gonna be 30 minutes. You do a headshot and you’re completely done. I spent hours like changing outfits, you know, talking to the photographer, talking to the producer, talking to all of these different people who are really focused on making me look good as I walk into the door at Corcoran McEnearney, making sure that my brand is on point, making sure they’re able to capture who I am, and that is so exciting for me."
Traci M.
"One of the reasons why I chose Corcoran McEnearney Associates is that I didn’t want to be a little fish in a big pond. There’s many brokerages to choose from, but a lot of them have thousands of agents, and I wanted to be part of a team that was a little bit more on the boutique side, where if I had a question that I needed answered, I can either call the broker or a mentee that I had access to, and I knew would be responsive to my questions so that I can answer and help my clients to the best of my ability."
"One of the reasons why I chose Corcoran McEnearney Associates is that I didn’t want to be a little fish in a big pond. There’s many brokerages to choose from, but a lot of them have thousands of agents, and I wanted to be part of a team that was a little bit more on the boutique side, where if I had a question that I needed answered, I can either call the broker or a mentee that I had access to, and I knew would be responsive to my questions so that I can answer and help my clients to the best of my ability."
Cesar R.
"I knew that the only place I wanted to be was at Corcoran McEnearney. And a lot of that started out with the fact that my mom had been there. She was there within a couple of years of John McEnearney starting the firm. And I remembered this, like it was yesterday, it’s when I was still working at the bank, and I’d been at a manager’s meeting. Ironically was across the street from the old town offices of Corcoran McEnearney, and who should be walking in the door was the one and only Glenn Lewis who I’ve known since I was a kid cause he had worked with my mom and I get emotional every time I tell the story, I said I’m taking a real estate course. And Glenn, with the biggest smile on his face, looked at me and said, Mason, when you’re ready, we’ll have room for you. And it’s been the best decision I ever made. I left the bank on a Friday and I walked into Corcoran McEnearney on a Monday and I’ve never looked back. Corcoran McEnearney for me is being a part of a firm that is the best in the business. That is hands down, second to none, the best firm in this area."
"I knew that the only place I wanted to be was at Corcoran McEnearney. And a lot of that started out with the fact that my mom had been there. She was there within a couple of years of John McEnearney starting the firm. And I remembered this, like it was yesterday, it’s when I was still working at the bank, and I’d been at a manager’s meeting. Ironically was across the street from the old town offices of Corcoran McEnearney, and who should be walking in the door was the one and only Glenn Lewis who I’ve known since I was a kid cause he had worked with my mom and I get emotional every time I tell the story, I said I’m taking a real estate course. And Glenn, with the biggest smile on his face, looked at me and said, Mason, when you’re ready, we’ll have room for you. And it’s been the best decision I ever made. I left the bank on a Friday and I walked into Corcoran McEnearney on a Monday and I’ve never looked back. Corcoran McEnearney for me is being a part of a firm that is the best in the business. That is hands down, second to none, the best firm in this area."
Mason Montague B.