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Pro-Consumer Model
Flat Fee MLS: Federal Support & 2024 Industry Changes
Understanding how federal agencies support consumer choice in real estate and what recent industry changes mean for Oregon home sellers.
Flat Fee MLS and fee-for-service listings are built around the idea of consumer choice—a concept the DOJ and FTC have publicly supported for years as a way to encourage competition and lower costs in the real estate industry.
With the industry's newer transparency rules (effective August 17, 2024), sellers have even more reason to compare options and choose a pricing model that matches their goals.
Federal Support
Why Consumer Choice Matters
Federal agencies have consistently supported real estate models that give consumers more options.
DOJ & FTC Support
Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission, have publicly advocated for real estate models that increase consumer choice and competition—including fee-for-service approaches—while cautioning against rules that restrict those options.
Competition Lowers Costs
Fee-for-service options let sellers buy only what they need instead of being forced into a one-size-fits-all commission model. This competition helps keep costs lower and gives consumers more control over their real estate transactions.
Transparency Benefits Sellers
Increased transparency in real estate transactions helps sellers make informed decisions. When fees are clearly disclosed and negotiable, consumers can better evaluate their options and choose services that match their needs and budget.
Unbundled Services
Flat Fee MLS allows sellers to unbundle traditional real estate services—getting MLS exposure without paying for services they don't need or want. This a la carte approach aligns with consumer protection principles.
2024 Industry Changes
What Changed After the NAR Settlement?
Nationwide practice changes took effect August 17, 2024, increasing transparency in real estate transactions.
Effective August 17, 2024
Key Practice Changes
As part of nationwide practice changes tied to the 2024 NAR settlement, MLS rules changed in significant ways that affect how real estate transactions work:
- No MLS compensation offers: Offers of compensation can no longer be communicated through the MLS system.
- Written buyer agreements: Buyers working with an agent typically must use a written buyer agreement that addresses compensation.
- Direct negotiation: Compensation is now discussed more directly between parties rather than being a default assumption.
- Fees are negotiable: The changes reinforce that real estate fees have always been—and continue to be—negotiable.
Why This Helps Sellers
These changes increase transparency and support a market where fees are discussed more directly—making flat-fee and fee-for-service options easier for consumers to evaluate and compare.
Key Takeaways
What This Means for Sellers
Consumer choice matters—federal agencies support fee-for-service options
Flat Fee MLS gives MLS exposure without percentage-based commissions
New transparency rules reinforce that fees are negotiable
Pick the services you want. Skip the ones you don't.
More transparency. More options. More control for sellers.
FAQ
Common Questions
Get answers about flat fee MLS legitimacy and the 2024 industry changes.
Yes. Federal agencies, including the DOJ and FTC, have publicly advocated for real estate models that increase consumer choice and competition—including fee-for-service approaches—while cautioning against rules that restrict those options.
Flat Fee MLS focuses on MLS exposure for a set fee, which can reduce listing-side costs compared to percentage-based listing commissions, especially for sellers who are comfortable handling some parts of the sale themselves.
Practice changes implemented August 17, 2024 include rules that prohibit communicating offers of compensation through the MLS and require written buyer agreements addressing compensation in many situations.
Not necessarily. The changes are about transparency and how compensation is communicated and negotiated. Depending on the market and the offer terms, sellers may still choose to offer concessions or compensation as part of negotiation—but it is increasingly evaluated as a strategy rather than an automatic default.
RealtyNET's flat-fee and fee-for-service approach is built for sellers who want MLS exposure and transparent pricing—with optional support available based on the package you choose. The newer transparency rules make it easier for consumers to compare real options and pay for what makes sense.
Our Approach
How Realty Net Fits the New Landscape
Realty Net's flat-fee and fee-for-service approach is built for sellers who want MLS exposure and transparent pricing. The newer transparency rules make it easier for consumers to compare real options and pay for what makes sense—which is exactly what we've offered Oregon sellers since 2002.
Transparent Pricing
Choose Your Service Level
Full MLS Exposure
Zero Compliance Fees
Disclaimer: This content summarizes publicly available government and media discussions about real estate brokerage models and industry practice changes. It is for general information only and is not legal advice. For specific questions about your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney or real estate professional.
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