New Commission Rules - What Buyers Need To Know

Are buyer agents still free?

Jul 14, 2025

In my latest Tracy Talks Real video, I tackle the topic of the biggest lie in real estate — free buyer agents. This is a lie that has been perpetrated for decades and has many homebuyers worried that after the commission lawsuits they now have to come out of pocket in escrow to pay their agent.

In my video, I explain what hasn’t changed with buyer agent commissions after the lawsuits, what has changed, and what should change (but hasn’t so far). I am a longtime broker, former consumer fraud class action attorney and zealous buyer advocate. I understand the lawsuits better than most agents and brokers and I want to make sure homebuyers everywhere understand the new rules and how they’ve rolled out in practical application. Hop over to youtube and get my take.

In the video I cover:

the biggest change after the lawsuits and how it impacts homebuyers
who pays the buyer’s real estate agent now
buyer responsibilities under the new buyer broker agreements
why dual agency is bad for buyers
changes to MLS rules after the lawsuits
the biggest change that isn’t happening, but should be

This video is not to be missed if you are buying a home in the post-lawsuit era.

Leave me a comment on the video. I’m very interested in your reaction to the lawsuits.

Watch this week's Tracy Talks Video here.

Introducing Buyer Agent Game Plan™

The new homebuying rules call for new strategies to pick the right agent to help you bring about your happy homebuying outcome.

My game plan blueprint describes exactly where to find good agents to interview and how to conduct multiple interviews efficiently. The program teaches you how to evaluate interview responses “apples to apples” and how to hire without burning bridges.

All of this translates to buyers hiring the right agent best-suited to their specific needs, resulting in happier homebuying experiences. Most educational content on this topic has been created by agents who want you to hire them to represent you, resulting in certain biases in the information presented. I developed this course for you, not me. I urge homebuyers to take advantage of my long career, love of buyers and consumer-forward focus to learn about finding, vetting and hiring great agents.

Don’t end up being one of those bitter people venting your frustrations on social media later because you recklessly signed on with the wrong agent and didn't course correct. Knowledge is power and this knowledge-heavy program was designed with buyers in mind by me, a longtime broker and consumer-focused attorney. Avoid the biggest homebuyer mistake of all time — hiring the wrong agent.

More at buyeragentgameplan.com. Buy your next home with confidence!

Fast Start Guide: Getting Started Under The New Homebuying Rules

I’ve been watching the commission reform lawsuits closely since the beginning. One year later, I’ve summarized everything you need to know to get started if you’re buying a home in the post-lawsuit era. Find this fast start guide in my Learning Center.

I’m also busy putting the final touches on my forthcoming book - The Secret Handshake (Play The Home Buyer & Home Seller Game Smarter). This has been an exciting project.

I find myself increasingly obsessed with helping consumers understand residential real estate on a deeper level and how to make more lucrative choices, including how to find, hire and vet agents. Join me on this journey? Hop over to the Learning Center and click the follow button under my bio. You’ll be notified when new offerings are added to the Center.

Do You Need Help Finding Agents?

Whether you are in my backyard here in Los Angeles or someplace farther away, I am available to help you find agents to interview. There is a nominal fee for this service, but I will find and vet three agents for you to interview in your local market, as well as provide a list of interview questions and my proprietary strategy for interviewing and comparing multiple agents with ease.

LEARN MORE

Complimentary Home Buyer Resources

Please enjoy these resources:

Follow Local Trends - Long time readers know I like me some trends! 🤓 This resource explains how market trends impact your home buying and home selling choices and strategies.

Benefits Of A Buyer CMA - Wondering how much to offer when buying a home or how much to list for when selling a home? Learn about Comparative Market Analyses (“CMAs”). They aren't just for sellers!

15 Tips To Save For A Down Payment - Is the down payment holding you back from buying a home? I've got 15 practical tips to help you save.

Do’s & Don’ts For Property Tours - Are you new to home buying? I've got tips for touring homes that might surprise you.

8 Expensive Home Buyer Mistakes - If you've never purchased a home or haven't purchased in recent years, you might be surprised to learn about these expensive homebuyer mistakes.

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Do You Know About My Office Hours?

I offer Office Hours as a low-key way to get your real estate questions answered without a lot of scheduling and commitment. Twice a week, I hang out on Zoom and am available to answer your real estate questions. Click on tracyonzoom.com during the designated hours and you will land in our waiting room. Tracy will bring you in when the person ahead of you is done. Everything is private. Here are your next opportunities to join Tracy for Office Hours:

Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT
Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT
Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 10 am to noon PT
Sunday, July 27, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm PT

Alternatively, private 1:1 conversations can be scheduled here.

Find Me Around The Web

Let’s make sure we’re connected in the places you like to hang out. Here’s where you can find me and what I post on those platforms:

Have We Met? Read my bio
My YouTube Channels - TracyTalksReal & TracyTalksRealLOCAL
My Beach Cities LA Real Estate Company - search for homes, save listings, meet the team
Twitter - mostly housing politics commentary
LinkedIn - real estate news & insights
Facebook - local real estate news & insights
Instagram - local real estate news & insights
Digital Office Hours - I hang out and you come ask questions 😊
Schedule a 1:1 meeting for Zoom or IRL

Content Authenticity Statement

99.9% of this week’s newsletter was generated by me, Tracy Thrower Conyers. AI created my nifty rule book image. 😊

Legal Stuff

You are not my client unless we have a written agreement in place. This newsletter is offered for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. Neither I nor Silicon Beach Properties nor eXp Realty, Inc. is responsible for the consequences of how you implement the content of this publication and nothing herein is intended to address your specific situation. Additionally, the information contained herein may be outdated (legally and/or factually) by the time you consume this content, so consult a professional licensed in your jurisdiction for advice.

My CalDRE license number is 01712960. Silicon Beach Properties is my real estate DBA brokered by eXp Realty of California, as am I.

Advertisements in this newsletter have paid to be promoted and, as a result, I receive direct financial compensation for promoting them. Sometimes I promote people, places and things strictly to show support without compensation. Ask me if you have questions.

My real estate company, Silicon Beach Properties, and I maintain partnerships and affiliate relationships with other companies. Look for asterisks** to signify such a relationship. Assume we are compensated, but that won’t always be the case.

Until Next Week…

Be well and use this link to refer others to The Tracy Talks. Let’s grow a community!

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