What Will the Realtors’ Settlement Mean for the Bay Area Housing Market?

KQED's Forum

The rules that guide real estate transactions could soon change dramatically. As part of a $418 million legal settlement, the powerful National Association of Realtors has agreed to eliminate the standard 6-percent sales commission. Under the settlement, subject to a judge’s approval, home listings will no longer automatically offer commission to buyers’ agents, requiring buyers to negotiate fees upfront. We’ll talk about what that might mean for realtors, consumers, and Bay Area home prices.

Guests:

Nicole Friedman, reporter, Wall Street Journal - where she covers the U.S. housing market and the home building industry

Vanessa Gamp, president, San Francisco Association of Realtors

Jenny Schuetz, senior fellow, Brookings - where her research focuses on improving housing and land use policies