A recent survey of housing counselors indicates the National Association of Realtors settlement has not meaningfully reduced buyer commission costs for most consumers. Only 7% of the 223 counselors surveyed reported seeing lower commissions following the landmark legal agreement.
Instead, the survey identified private, off-market listings as a primary obstacle for buyers. Nearly half of the counselors—46%—said these so-called pocket listings create significant access hurdles, limiting inventory for many prospective homeowners.