As a Realtor with over 30 years of experience and the owner of a Real Estate Brokerage since 2013, I have witnessed firsthand the evolution of the Real Estate Industry. The recent settlement of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) lawsuit by the Department of Justice (DOJ) has raised serious concerns about its impact on consumers. This settlement will force Buyers to pay Buyer agent commission, adding to already high closing costs. Many buyers struggle with these costs, especially when combined with high interest rates and rising home values.

Under this new rule, clients who are both selling and buying will have to pay commission twice - once for each transaction. Traditionally, Sellers would agree to pay a negotiable commission to be split between both the Listing Agent and Buyer's Agent. With this new ruling, Sellers are only responsible for paying THEIR agent, forcing Buyers to decide between paying out of pocket for trustworthy representation, or risk moving through the transaction without a realtor on their side.

The real estate market is already challenging enough without additional financial hurdles being imposed on consumers. It is crucial that we protect consumers from unnecessary financial burdens in their pursuit of homeownership.

We call upon the DOJ to reconsider this decision and explore alternatives that do not place an undue burden on homebuyers or compromise their ability to afford homes in today's market. Please sign this petition if you believe in fair housing practices and consumer protection.