Kickback Crackdown

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Splits and Caps Daily: Action for Agents

June 30, 2025

📈 Market Move:

Referrals Revealed

Alright, here’s the scoop: Northwest MLS—one of the biggest regional MLSs in the country—is putting referral fees under the microscope. They just launched a new (optional but widely used) disclosure form that tells buyers and sellers who’s referring who, and how much they’re pocketing for it.

Quick refresher: referral fees are when Broker A sends a client to Broker B and gets a cut of the commission. Standard is 25%, but some deals go up to 50%. That’s real money, and NWMLS says consumers deserve to know about it before they pick an agent—not just at closing (or never).

This isn’t NWMLS’s first transparency rodeo—they’ve already banned off-market listings, which led to a Compass lawsuit. Now they’re saying: if consumers are footing the bill, they should know where every dollar is going.

Why it matters:
In a world where agents are getting side-eyed over commissions, anything that builds trust is a win. It’s not just about fairness—it’s smart business. And it might become the norm.

🌟Quote of the Day:

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." — Charles Darwin

📊🤔 Agent Poll Results

On 6/27, we asked: If the Fed actually cuts rates this summer, what happens first in your market?

The results are in!

• A) "Buyers flood in overnight": 75%

• B) "Sellers finally list": 0%

• C) "Multiple offers are back, baby": 25%

• D) "Absolutely nothing changes": 0%

• E) "Chaos. Just chaos.": 0%

It’ll be a good thing, any way you slice it!

🎉 Fun Fact of the Day: 

Repair Despair: Fixer-Uppers Aren’t Always Cheaper. Many “fixer-upper” homes end up costing more after reno than move-in-ready properties. Because DIY often turns into OMG-WHY.

📚 Book Recommendation:

 “Built Through Courage” by Dave Hollis—Alright, here’s the deal—most people wait until life body-slams them before they finally make a move. Dave Hollis? He beat life to the punch. Left his cozy Disney exec job, stepped into the unknown, and basically said, “Let’s dance, chaos.”

This book is about choosing courage before you’re forced to. It’s for anyone who feels stuck in the wrong story—maybe you’re killing it, but it doesn’t feel right. Maybe you’re cruising, but deep down you know you’re capable of more.

Dave doesn’t give you fluffy pep talks. He gives you the playbook for how to let go of comfort, face your fears, and rewrite the script. It’s part memoir, part wake-up call, and all heart.

🔑 Big takeaways:

• Comfort is a liar.

• Fear isn’t your enemy—it’s a compass.

• The cost of staying stuck is way higher than the cost of starting over.

Bottom line: If you’re an agent (or a human) who knows there’s another level for you—but you’re scared to make the jump—this book will call you out and call you forward.

Nobody’s coming. Good. Now go build it your way.

What did you think of today’s edition?
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