Commission Confusion

Splits and Caps Daily: Action for Agents

May 6, 2025

📈 Market Move:

Cost of Clarity

You ever have a client look at you like you just asked them to pay for air? Welcome to post-settlement real estate.

Since the NAR commission settlement went live, there’s been a whole lot of confusion in the air—and it’s not just about numbers on a HUD-1. On the surface, commissions have dipped slightly, but under the hood? Agents are playing defense, offense, and therapist—all at once.

😬 The Pushback Parade

According to a recent HousingWire survey:

• 42.6% of agents say clients are pushing back on commissions.

• 58.3% of those comments were super specific, meaning... this isn’t just “I don’t want to pay.” It’s “Let me tell you exactly why you don’t deserve that cut.”

Breakdown of client complaints:

• 13.9%: Confused AF and need a breakdown of the new rules

• 12.5%: Straight-up negotiating commissions

• 12.5%: Think commissions are now illegal

• 2.8%: “You charge how much?”

• And the kicker: some buyers think they can cut agents out entirely and just slide into the listing agent’s DMs.

It’s not just buyers either. Sellers are getting tight-fisted too. One agent shared: “Sellers don’t want to offer buyer-side commissions anymore. They say it’s not their problem.”

🎓 It’s a Class Now

The job isn’t just showing homes and closing deals—it’s become an education role.

• Agents are spending more time explaining that no, commissions aren’t illegal.

• Yes, they’re negotiable.

• No, you don’t work for free.

• And yes, your value matters.

🤝 Agent-to-Agent Tension?

Remember when we used to high-five each other after closing? That energy is fading.

• 36% of agents say cooperation with other agents has decreased.

• Only 8.7% say it’s gotten better.

• The rest? They're just hoping no one flips a table during escrow.

A lot of this comes down to unclear expectations:
Who’s paying who? What are we disclosing? Are we even allowed to talk about compensation anymore? It’s like a group project where no one’s sure who’s doing what, but everyone’s still being graded.

🔑 TL;DR (The Splits Summary)

• Commission Clarity ≠ Commission Simplicity. Clients are more informed, but also more confused.

• Agents are now part educator, part negotiator, and still expected to close deals.

• Deals are dying on the commission hill—so learning how to defend your value isn’t optional anymore.

• Co-brokering is under stress. Communication and transparency are more important than ever.

But it’s not all doom and gloom.

🌤 Silver Linings

• Transparency is leading to better client convos.

• Some buyers and sellers get it and are willing to pay fairly.

• Agents who know how to communicate their worth are still winning.

So yeah, the NAR settlement might be settled in court. But in real life? It’s still very unsettled.

Lead with clarity. Speak with confidence. And remember: you’re not just selling homes—you’re anchoring trust in a shifting market.

🌟Quote of the Day:

"Growth and comfort do not coexist." — Ginni Rometty

⚡ Quick Win:

LinkedIn Flex: Post a short, punchy real estate success story on LinkedIn today. Something like “Helped a first-time buyer win a home in a 10-offer showdown. Here’s how…” Stories sell. And this one sells YOU.

🎉 Fun Fact of the Day: 

Intellectual Properties: You Can Trademark Your House. The Playboy Mansion and Graceland are both trademarked. Turns out curb appeal + lawyers = intellectual property.

📚 Book Recommendation:

“The Copywriter's Handbook: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Copy That Sells” by Robert Bly—Want to sell more stuff? Say better words.

This book is like a cheat code for writing headlines, emails, ads—anything that moves people to action. Robert Bly breaks it all down like a battle-tested marketer who’s been in the trenches since before email was a thing.

No fluff. Just formulas, examples, and tactics that actually work.

Whether you're writing a listing description, a lead-gen ad, or just trying to get your newsletter opened… this book will instantly upgrade your copy game.

Big idea: You’re not writing to impress. You’re writing to sell. Learn the difference.

One step forward every day beats one giant leap someday.

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