Dear Clients & Friends,
I want to address the National Association of REALTOR®s' recent settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit that has been in the news so much this year. One of the settlement terms is that the MLS will no longer allow for listing agents to make offers of compensation to buyer’s agents, which is how it has traditionally been handled. To comply with this settlement, the MLS removed all offers of buyer’s agent compensation as of Tuesday, August 13th.
Commissions always have been and will continue to be negotiable. I highly encourage sellers to continue to offer concessions to the buyer’s agent, for many reasons including the following:
- We expect offering concessions will open the seller’s house to a larger field of potential buyers as the buyer’s agents have a clear path to being paid for their services.
- Buyer concessions can make a seller’s house more appealing to buyers by reducing the amount of money the buyer needs to bring to the table.
- Requiring the buyer to pay cash up front to their agent has the potential to impact their qualification for a favorable mortgage.
- Without a buyer concession, it is likely that the buyer will reduce the amount they can pay the seller as they will need to reserve funds for the buyer paid commission. This is additionally negative for sellers when several other sellers offer concessions, and they do not.
- Without proper buyer agent representation, there is a greater risk for negotiation, inspection, contract, and legal issues.
In my experience, I believe that continuing to offer the buyer’s agent compensation will put your house at a competitive advantage over listings that will not offer any type of concessions. Furthermore, a seller can agree to offer a concession but does not need to agree ahead of time exactly how much of a concession to offer. It is a negotiable term in each offer that is received.
Also in affect as of August 13th, buyers will now be required to sign a representation agreement with their agent before he/she can show them property. This representation agreement confirms the buyer’s agreement to pay their agent should they purchase a home where a seller is not offering a concession to the buyer’s agent. There are two kinds of representation agreements that buyers can sign. One is specific to up to three properties only and is valid for 30 days. The second is valid up to three months and covers all properties within a geographic region.
So far, most sellers are willing to offer concessions to buyer’s agents and continue business per usual. Please feel free to reach out as I’m sure there are many questions surrounding these new practices. As always, I’m here to help guide the way through the changes.
All my best,
Courtney
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a longtime favorite destination for people from all over the country for a weekend visit (or longer) and has something that will create memories for everyone. Whether it's a romantic getaway, a girls' trip, a family affair or local stay-cation, if you're looking for a place with the perfect balance of relaxation and entertainment, you'll find it in our seaside village.
Fourtané Jewelers Opens a Beautiful New Boutique
In late 2023 Fourtané Jewelers, owned by the Bonifas family, opened a second Carmel location just up the street on Ocean Avenue from their famous jewelry and watch salon in the historic Pine Inn. Known as a worldwide purveyor of rare vintage jewelry pieces and of the finest watch brands in the world, including Rolex, Patek Phillipe and Cartier, the new, two-story boutique focuses solely on jewelry. The Bonifas family also owns a Rolex Boutique in San Diego, which they are currently expanding.
Photo: Marc Howard
The Tournament's Exciting Transformation
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Tournament Director and Monterey Peninsula Foundation CEO Steve John has played as an amateur in the legendary golf tournament nine times, and each time, his excitement never waned.
"It was truly a treasured invitation," he says. "It's impossible to play center fi eld in a professional baseball game, but you can be part of something special with the Pro-Am."
A mainstay of the Monterey Peninsula for almost 80 years, the tournament has been officially ...
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Article Archive
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BENCHMARK SALE IN PEBBLE BEACH |
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The Winter/Spring 2020 issue of 1913 Luxury by the Sea is now available! - The ultimate guide to luxury real estate and life in Carmel and Pebble Beach |
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The Before and After Series: Part Twelve - Coastal Cool |
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The Before and After Series: Part Eleven - A Tired '80s Valley Retreat Turned Rustic Contemporary |
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The Spring 2019 issue of 1913 Luxury by the Sea is now available! - The ultimate guide to luxury real estate and life in Carmel and Pebble Beach |
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The Fall 2018 issue of 1913 Luxury by the Sea is now available! - The ultimate guide to luxury real estate and life in Carmel and Pebble Beach |
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Seasonal Trends in Our Market - A Look at Monthly Historical Data |
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04/11/2018 |
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The newest issue of 1913 Luxury by the Sea is now available! - The ultimate guide to luxury real estate and life in Carmel and Pebble Beach |
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10/07/2015 |
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Inspired by Land and Sea: A Rustic Home Restored - The Before and After Series: Part Nine |
08/22/2015 |
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Perfection and Privacy in Monterey - The Before and After Series: Part Eight |
06/06/2015 |
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Spanish Bay Redefined - The Before and After Series: Part Seven |
04/08/2015 |
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Carmel Realty Company at Christie's International Realty Owners Conference |
03/13/2015 |
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An '80s Valley Home Now Contemporary Perfection - The Before and After Series: Part Six |
01/14/2015 |
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Dated Beach Cottage Transformed with a Northern European Flair - The Before and After Series: Part Five |
12/09/2014 |
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A 1946 Mid Century Modern Turned Uber Hip - The Before and After Series: Part Four |
11/14/2014 |
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A Tired 1940 Project Turned French Country Cottage - The Before and After Series: Part Three |
10/24/2014 |
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Transforming A 1950 Bungalow to a Luxurious Beach Cottage - The Before & After Series: Part Two |
10/13/2014 |
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Passé 1970's to Chic Contemporary - The “Before and After” Series: Part One |
04/14/2014 |
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The Luxury Golf Lifestyle of Pebble Beach - Living the luxury golf lifestyle of Pebble Beach is a privilege. |
04/10/2014 |
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The unique architecture of the Monterey Peninsula - The areas of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach are rich with architectural grandeur. |
04/08/2014 |
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The timeless landscape of the Monterey Peninsula - The rocky cliffs of Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea's beaches are just the beginning to the beauty offered by the Monterey Peninsula. |
08/05/2013 |
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Coming Soon - New Agent Offices at Dolores & 8th - Carmel Realty Company's New Agent Offices |
05/06/2013 |
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Mitchells to receive lifetime achievement award in real estate |
04/29/2013 |
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Bill & Vicki Mitchell recipients of Luxury Real Estate Lifetime Achievement Award |
04/29/2013 |
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Carmel hosts Luxury Real Estate Conference |
01/02/2013 |
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A New Year, A New Office for Monterey County Realty |
12/12/2012 |
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Carmel Realty Company honored with the Chamber's Award of Excellence |
11/28/2012 |
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Carmel Realty Company Celebrating 100 Years in 2013 |
10/26/2012 |
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Carmel Realty Company Earns 2nd Golden Pine Cone for Best Realty Company |
10/21/2011 |
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THE RESULTS ARE IN - CARMEL REALTY COMPANY VOTED BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY |
06/06/2011 |
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Landmark Oceanfront Carmel Home Undergoes Spectacular Renovation |
10/29/2010 |
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Local Realtors Hit the One Billion Dollar Mark - Who says the local real estate market is suffering? On the contrary, at Carmel Realty Company business is expanding rather than contracting. |
10/27/2010 |
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LuxuryRealEstate.com Awards Carmel Realty Team |
09/30/2010 |
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Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate Award Winner! |
09/10/2010 |
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New Ocean Avenue Office |
07/15/2010 |
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Greywater Recycling |