The media has stated that the settlement somehow "prohibits" sellers from paying a commission to a buyer’s broker (directly or through their listing company) and relieves sellers of the financial burden.
 
This is False.

It is correct that an upcoming new requirement is that any offer of buyer broker compensation offered by a seller can be displayed on any “public” media site. It cannot be displayed on any Realtor association-owned MLS as a general offer of compensation. Any other place or form of marketing is acceptable. Sellers may still elect to pay buyer broker compensation to differentiate their properties. Sellers can of course elect not to pay buyer broker compensation. They will make that choice. The concept is simple, yet creates less "typical" buyer and buyer agent expectations of pay rates. Buyers will most likely choose to write into offers a contingency asking the seller to cover all or a portion of the compensation other concessions, which then becomes a point of negotiation. 

Commentary: So, how might that work as a matter of practice? In my experience sellers very much want the buyers of their home to have representation, and they understand that all sale expenses are effectively paid by the buyer. The buyers are the ones bringing the cash or loan(s) to closing. What the issue is and has always been, what is a buyer or seller willing to pay to have representation? What is their level of comfort with getting varying levels of service based on price and expectation?

Lastly, home sellers should hire an agent they feel confident has the knowledge, the tenacity, and the experience to get you the representation that will yield they want. In my experience, the seller goals at the top of their list have been the same in perpetuity : Close at the possible price in the least amount of time, and the least amount of liability/headaches during and after the process.

* 105 homes listed for sale  
(105 the previous week)
* 80 homes to pending status 

(114 the previous week)
* 69 homes sold (closed ) 
(63 the previous week)

* 10 median days to pending  
(11 the previous week) 
* $319 ppsqft average sold 
($328 the previous week )