Henri Gourd 914-954-3897 henrigourd@bhhsne.com Ready or not, here it comes. Effective August 17, the primary tool Realtors use to share listings will no longer be disclosing the amount of commission the seller's side will be sharing with the buyer's agent. This will affect both buyers and sellers. Historically buyers paid their agent through the sale proceeds, which were channeled from the seller through the listing agent. After August 17th, a buyer's agent will have to contact the listing agent to determine how much, if anything, the seller is willing to pay towards his commission. To the extent the seller does not cover the buyer's agent fees, the buyer will then be directly responsible for paying the difference. If the house is attractively priced, this could mean the listing agent fields 15-20 additional calls to disclose this information. Sellers can decide how much if any of the commission they pay their agent may be passed along to compensate the buyer's agent. Failure to offer compensation to the buyers agent may feel like a money-saving move; it may also reduce the number of potential buyers who see the property. Some buyers may not have the additional funds to pay their agent out-of-pocket and if the buyer's agent is not getting paid, there is no incentive to show the property. All is not lost. A buyer can still request his agent be paid from sale proceeds when making an offer or that certain concessions be made to at least partially compensate the buyer's agent. Time will tell how the new disclosure practice will affect the industry but we know for certain that an agent skilled in negotiation will be in even greater demand. BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices New England Properties Selling it all, from cottages to castles! Henri Gourd 914-954-3897 henrigourd@bhhsne.com Ready or not , here it comes . Effective August 17 , the primary tool Realtors use to share listings will no longer be disclosing the amount of commission the seller's side will be sharing with the buyer's agent . This will affect both buyers and sellers . Historically buyers paid their agent through the sale proceeds , which were channeled from the seller through the listing agent . After August 17th , a buyer's agent will have to contact the listing agent to determine how much , if anything , the seller is willing to pay towards his commission . To the extent the seller does not cover the buyer's agent fees , the buyer will then be directly responsible for paying the difference . If the house is attractively priced , this could mean the listing agent fields 15-20 additional calls to disclose this information . Sellers can decide how much if any of the commission they pay their agent may be passed along to compensate the buyer's agent . Failure to offer compensation to the buyers agent may feel like a money - saving move ; it may also reduce the number of potential buyers who see the property . Some buyers may not have the additional funds to pay their agent out - of - pocket and if the buyer's agent is not getting paid , there is no incentive to show the property . All is not lost . A buyer can still request his agent be paid from sale proceeds when making an offer or that certain concessions be made to at least partially compensate the buyer's agent . Time will tell how the new disclosure practice will affect the industry but we know for certain that an agent skilled in negotiation will be in even greater demand . BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices New England Properties Selling it all , from cottages to castles !