Is the way you sell a home in Rhode Island changing in 2025 because of the NAR settlement? Here's what local sellers need to know.

If you’ve been reading headlines or talking to friends about the real estate market, you may have heard something about a major legal settlement involving the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). This development is changing how real estate professionals structure offers of compensation—but what does that mean for homeowners looking to sell in Warwick, Cranston, East Greenwich, and across Rhode Island?

Let’s break it down clearly, locally, and with your best interest at heart.

First, What Is the NAR Settlement About?

The recent NAR settlement stems from lawsuits challenging how buyer agent compensation is structured and communicated. In the past, it was customary for the seller to offer compensation to the buyer's agent as an incentive to bring a buyer to the property. This was often communicated via the MLS.

Under the terms of the settlement (which went into effect in August of 2024):

• Offers of compensation will no longer be displayed in the MLS.

• Buyers and their agents will need written agreements to determine compensation.

• Professional service fees will remain negotiable, as always.

How This Impacts You as a Home Seller in Rhode Island

After months of adapting to these changes, we’re seeing a clear pattern: instead of sellers preemptively offering compensation to the buyer’s agent via the MLS, most buyers are now including a request for their agent’s compensation as part of their offer to purchase. In practice, this has simply become another negotiable term in the deal—similar to price, closing date, or contingencies.

Here’s what that means for you:

• It’s still common to contribute toward buyer agent compensation. But instead of being assumed upfront, it’s addressed during negotiations, always in writing.

• You’re not locked into any specific structure. You have flexibility to decide how—or if—you want to respond to a buyer’s compensation request.

• Your REALTOR®’s expertise is crucial. Now more than ever, your listing agent needs to guide you through evaluating each offer and understanding all terms.

What Will Change (and What Won’t)

What will change:

• No more blanket offers of buyer agent compensation in the MLS.

• More upfront conversations between buyers and their agents about representation and payment.

What won’t change:

• Sellers can agree or not agree to offer professional fees to buyer agents.

• You can still negotiate every term of your agreement.

• The Slocum Home Team’s approach to transparency and service stays exactly the same.

Why This May Actually Benefit Rhode Island Sellers

Yes, change can feel uncertain. But this moment could actually work in your favor. Here’s why:

• More informed buyers. With buyer agents required to have written agreements, you’re less likely to deal with unrepresented or unqualified prospects.

• Clearer value from your listing agent. This makes your REALTOR®’s role even more important. You want a team like Slocum who knows how to price strategically, market effectively, and negotiate like a pro.

• Increased flexibility. You decide whether and how much you agree to offer a buyer’s agent, based on your unique property and goals.

Our Advice to Homeowners in Warwick, East Greenwich, Cranston, and Nearby

1. Don’t panic. The real estate landscape is changing, but that doesn’t mean it’s harder to sell. In fact, we believe sellers who are well-informed and well-represented will thrive. We’ve seen many sellers benefit from this change.

2. Ask questions. At the Slocum Home Team, we take the time to walk you through every option. We’ll help you understand your choices for offering (or not offering) compensation to buyer agents.

3. Stay local. Real estate is hyperlocal. The national headlines don’t always reflect what’s happening in Warwick, Coventry, or North Kingstown. That’s why you need a local expert by your side.

Bottom Line: You Still Deserve Expert Help

At the end of the day, selling your home in Rhode Island still comes down to hiring the right team. One that provides strategic marketing, expert negotiation, and personalized guidance. The Slocum Home Team is here to help you navigate these changes while keeping your best interests front and center.

Have questions about how the NAR settlement affects your situation? Contact Nick Slocum or one of our top agents for a no-obligation consultation.