How Buyer’s Edge Exclusive Buyer Agents Get Paid Under the New Real Estate Rules -
And What It Means for You

The real estate industry is changing fast! Recent lawsuits and Department of Justice mandates have reshaped commission structures nationwide, and many agents are scrambling to adjust. But at Buyer's Edge? Nothing changes for us. We've continuously operated with transparency, clear agreements, and a structure that ensures our clients know exactly how we are paid.

A Single-Focused Business Model That Has Always Worked: 100% Buyers - Never Sellers

Buyer's Edge | Buyersagent.com has been doing things differently for over 35 years in the Washington, DC Metro Area. From day one, we've had a written agreement with every client outlining our commission rate. That agreement has always included a provision stating that if we successfully secured compensation from the seller's side, it would be used to offset all or oart of the fee our client agreed to pay us.

For 99% of our transactions, we collected our full fee through cooperative commission agreements previously offered in the MLS by the listing agent and seller. Occasionally, clients would opt to pay us directly for strategic reasons that benefited them. This system worked because it provided clarity and fairness.

The Real Estate Industry Shift—And What It Means For Homebuyers

The newly mandated changes eliminate the old cooperative commission structure. They require every agent to have a signed agreement with their clients explicitly stating how they will be paid and how much. While this change creates more steps for some agents, it doesn't alter how Buyer's Edge operates. We've always had these agreements in place.

Here's what you need to know:

1. Signed Agreements Are Now Mandatory for Everyone – This has been our standard practice for decades. All agents with traditional real estate companies in the DC area must follow suit. (Have you noticed an uptick in how large real estate companies promote the incredible value proposition and benefits of working with a buyer agent?!)

2. Commissions Must Be Negotiated Upfront – While listing agents can no longer pre-advertise a cooperative commission in the MLS, a buyer's agent can ask if the seller will contribute to the commission as part of the transaction.

3. Pushback from Sellers on Commissions May Occur – Some sellers may hesitate to cover a buyer's agent commission simply because they're unfamiliar with the new rules. We educate our clients on the best strategies for handling these negotiations.

4. Buyers in the DMV Have Options – If a seller refuses to pay a buyer's agent, buyers can raise the purchase price by the amount of the commission, effectively rolling it into their mortgage. In cash transactions, it simply becomes a question of structuring the final price accordingly.

The Bottom Line for Homebuyers and Homesellers in the DMV

For many traditional real estate agents, these changes create uncertainty. For Buyer's Edge, these changes only reinforce what we've always done—operate with complete transparency, ensure our clients fully understand how buyer's agents are compensated, and advocate 100% for homebuyers with no conflicts of interest, providing you with a sense of security in your home buying journey.

We remain dedicated to making home buying in the DMV as seamless and fair as possible. We're here to talk if you have questions about these changes and how they impact your home purchase. Your concerns and questions are always valued at Buyer's Edge!

— Stephen Carpenter-Israel, President/Broker, Buyer's Edge
BuyersAgent.com

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What is an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent and Why Homebuyers Should Care?
Beyond Buying & Selling: The Human Impact of Real Estate’s Ripple Effect
What is an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent in Real Estate?
Relocating to the Washington DC Area? What You Need to Know About Quality of Life, Buying Smart, Timing Right, and Navigating the Market (and Traffic!)
NAEBA - What is an Exclusive Buyer's Agent?
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