Real Estate by Victor Barraza

Mortgage Interest Rates.
Are they dropping?

Anyone want to guess if the interest rates are dropping on Wed, Sep 18, 2024 and what the new mortgage interest rate will be?

We should know by 12pm PST on Wed.

"If the Fed decides to reduce rates, the new rates will be announced shortly after the meeting concludes on September 18, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The Fed will release a statement detailing the rate decision, and Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET, providing more context and specific figures."

Attention home BUYERS & SELLERS
The rules are changing

🏡ATTENTION HOME BUYERS 🏡

On August 17th, all buyers currently looking to purchase a home, MUST sign a "Buyer Representation Agreement"- prior to walking into a property.

✅JUST SHOW ME THE HOUSE!!
Starting August 17th, NO REALTOR® will be able to unlock a door without you first signing the agreement🤯This will be non-negotiable for any person with a REALTOR® designation.

✅Wait…WHAT DO I HAVE TO SIGN?
The agreement between buyer and REALTOR® is a Buyers Representation Agreement, the contract between you and that REALTOR® stating you will be using them to buy a home and breaking down the roles, duties and responsibilities owed to you by your agent etc. This form also spells out what broker compensation is to be paid. Whatever compensation on this agreement is the MAXIMUM compensation your broker/agent can receive out of the transaction.
FACT: Listing Agreements dictate whether or not a seller is authorizing their listing agent to disclose whether or not they are willing to consider concessions and if so those concessions may be the same or less than the buyer representation agreement amount or seller may choose to not offer a buyers agent compensation/ buyer concession at all. TAKE NOTE: This is all disclosed and negotiated on a property by property basis and will very likely be determined by the actual offers received.

✅I HAVE TO PAY COMPENSATION?
Well yes…but actually maybe no…
With the new NAR(National Association of REALTORS®) ruling going into effect, advertising cooperating broker and buyer broker compensation will now be BANNED on the MLS.

So, now when your agent shows you a home, they may likely not have any idea if seller is willing to pay compensation or not. Compensations are always negotiable of course, and there are a number of ways your agent can get paid. By the seller either in the form of direct compensation to Buyer brokerage or as a form of concession/credit to buyer. In some cases, the buyer will be paying the compensation for their agent out of pocket and this will be spelled out in the buyer's representation agreement.

✅ HIRE A PROFESSIONAL REALTOR®
Selecting a REALTOR® when buying a home is an important decision.
August 17th is approaching, a lot of changes will happen behind-the-scenes. This new rule with a buyer representation agreement is just one facet of the NAR ruling which will change the landscape of how real estate is sold in the United States.

✅ALIGNMENT & COMMUNICATION
Now, more so than ever, aligning yourself with a full-time professional REALTOR® will be vitally important for the success of your home purchase.

Sellers likely will continue to offer your buyers agent compensation when all is said and done. It will simply now be written in in your contracts and offers.

It is even more important for buyers to choose experienced licensed professional agents to represent them to navigate negotiating on your behalf. Listing agents are working on behalf of the sellers best interest you want someone looking out for yours!

*Shared from another REALTOR®... but this explains everything pretty well! Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions😊