{"id":25557,"date":"2026-01-12T14:25:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T14:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/?p=25557"},"modified":"2026-01-12T14:25:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T14:25:46","slug":"consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Consumer Choice in Real Estate: What It Really Means in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Over the past few years, the real estate industry has gone through major changes, especially around how agents are paid and how buyers and sellers choose representation. At the center of these changes is one important idea: <strong>consumer choice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that the national real estate settlement has been fully implemented, buyers and sellers have more say than ever in how they work with agents \u2014 and how much they pay for those services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Changed After the Settlement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before the settlement, it was common for sellers to automatically offer compensation to the buyer\u2019s agent through the listing system. Buyers often didn\u2019t realize how commissions worked or that they could be discussed or negotiated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s no longer the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Buyer agents and buyers must have a <strong>written agreement<\/strong> before touring homes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Agent compensation is discussed <strong>upfront<\/strong>, not at the closing table.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sellers can decide <strong>if<\/strong> they want to offer compensation to a buyer\u2019s agent \u2014 and how much, if any.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compensation is no longer advertised in listing systems the way it used to be.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These changes were designed to make the process more transparent and easier to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Consumer Choice Matters More Than Ever<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest goal of the changes was not to eliminate agents or force lower fees \u2014 it was to give buyers and sellers <strong>options<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2026, consumers can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose whether to work with an agent at all<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negotiate how their agent is paid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compare different service models (full service, limited service, flat fee, or hybrid)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decide what level of guidance they want during a transaction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of one standard way of doing things, real estate now allows people to pick what works best for their situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Buyers Should Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re buying a home today, you should expect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A clear conversation about your agent\u2019s role and compensation before seeing homes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A written agreement that explains what services you\u2019re receiving<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ability to ask questions and negotiate terms that make sense for you<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A good agent will explain their value, not pressure you into anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Sellers Should Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re selling a home:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You decide whether to offer compensation to a buyer\u2019s agent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can factor that decision into your pricing and marketing strategy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are not required to follow old \u201crules\u201d that no longer apply<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sellers still often choose to offer compensation because it can help attract more buyers \u2014 but it is now a <strong>choice<\/strong>, not an assumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Hasn\u2019t Changed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with all these updates, one thing remains true:<br \/>Buying or selling a home is complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many consumers still choose to work with experienced agents because of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Negotiation skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Market knowledge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contract and legal guidance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Help navigating inspections, financing, and closing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The difference now is that consumers better understand <strong>what they\u2019re paying for and why<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2026, real estate is more transparent than it\u2019s ever been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Buyers and sellers are empowered to ask questions, compare options, and choose the level of service that fits their needs and budget. That\u2019s what true consumer choice looks like \u2014 not being forced into one system, but having the freedom to decide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> REALTOR\u00ae Magazine<br \/>\u201cIn Defense of Consumer Choice in the Settlement\u201d<br \/>National Association of REALTORS\u00ae<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over the past few years, the real estate industry has gone through major changes, especially around how agents are paid and how buyers and sellers choose representation. At the center of these changes is one important idea: consumer choice. Now that the national real estate settlement has been fully implemented, buyers and sellers have more &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link btn\" href=\"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,8],"tags":[5,32,4,9],"class_list":["post-25557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-real-estate-tips","tag-anthony-didonato","tag-news","tag-real-estate","tag-tips","item-wrap"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Consumer Choice in Real Estate: What It Really Means in 2026 - Real Estate Agent and Sales in PA - Anthony DiDonato Broomall, Media, Delaware County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/964792b6994e8cc4cbddc36ad4824908\"},\"headline\":\"Consumer Choice in Real Estate: What It Really Means in 2026\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-12T14:25:46+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":551,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/964792b6994e8cc4cbddc36ad4824908\"},\"keywords\":[\"Anthony DiDonato\",\"News\",\"Real Estate\",\"tips\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\",\"Real Estate Tips\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\\\/\",\"name\":\"Consumer Choice in Real Estate: What It Really Means in 2026 - Real Estate Agent and Sales in PA - Anthony DiDonato Broomall, Media, Delaware County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-12T14:25:46+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Consumer Choice in Real Estate: What It Really Means in 2026\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"Real Estate Agent and Sales in PA - Anthony DiDonato Broomall, Media, Delaware County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania\",\"description\":\"Properties and Real Estate for Sale\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/964792b6994e8cc4cbddc36ad4824908\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"Person\",\"Organization\"],\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/964792b6994e8cc4cbddc36ad4824908\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/anthony-110x150.jpg\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/anthony-110x150.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/anthony-110x150.jpg\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/03\\\/anthony-110x150.jpg\"},\"description\":\"For all of your Real Estate needs, place yourself in the competent hands of a career Realtor who is a Philadelphia native and Delaware County resident. Skilled, smart and enthusiastic about his work and his life, Anthony DiDonato has the appealing combination of business sense and people skills gives him an edge in an industry that demands both. Educated at Drexel University with a dual major in accounting and finance and minors in management and psychology Anthony DiDonato offers over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. He has been a real estate investor since 1985 and a member of H.A.P.C.O. (Landlord Association). He became a licensed Realtor in 1992 and a member of the Local, Pennsylvania and National Associations of Realtors. Anthony DiDonato is also a member of the Computerized Multiple Listings, (MLS) and Internet Marketing Programs. In 1997 Anthony DiDonato became Century 21 All-Elite, Inc. Corporate Secretary. Anthony DiDonato believes in taking his profession to the highest level of quality service. He is known for finding that \u201cperfect\u201d property in Philadelphia, Delaware County, Chester County, Montgomery County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania for his buyers and helping his sellers prepare their properties so they sell quickly and efficiently. When it comes time to negotiate the terms of a contract, Anthony DiDonato has the knowledge, experience, and professionalism applied to meeting \u2013 or exceeding \u2013 his clients\u2019 expectations. His service to his clients is second to none. His honesty and integrity have been his claim to fame. For Superior Real Estate Representation in the Delaware Valley, Philadelphia, Delaware County, Chester County, Montgomery County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania\u2026 call Anthony DiDonato.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\"],\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/author\\\/admin\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Consumer Choice in Real Estate: What It Really Means in 2026 - Real Estate Agent and Sales in PA - Anthony DiDonato Broomall, Media, Delaware County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/#\/schema\/person\/964792b6994e8cc4cbddc36ad4824908"},"headline":"Consumer Choice in Real Estate: What It Really Means in 2026","datePublished":"2026-01-12T14:25:46+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/"},"wordCount":551,"publisher":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/#\/schema\/person\/964792b6994e8cc4cbddc36ad4824908"},"keywords":["Anthony DiDonato","News","Real Estate","tips"],"articleSection":["News","Real Estate Tips"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/","url":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/","name":"Consumer Choice in Real Estate: What It Really Means in 2026 - Real Estate Agent and Sales in PA - Anthony DiDonato Broomall, Media, Delaware County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania","isPartOf":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-01-12T14:25:46+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/consumer-choice-in-real-estate-what-it-really-means-in-2026\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Consumer Choice in Real Estate: What It Really Means in 2026"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/#website","url":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/","name":"Real Estate Agent and Sales in PA - Anthony DiDonato Broomall, Media, Delaware County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania","description":"Properties and Real Estate for Sale","publisher":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/#\/schema\/person\/964792b6994e8cc4cbddc36ad4824908"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/#\/schema\/person\/964792b6994e8cc4cbddc36ad4824908","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/anthony-110x150.jpg","url":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/anthony-110x150.jpg","contentUrl":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/anthony-110x150.jpg","caption":"admin"},"logo":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/anthony-110x150.jpg"},"description":"For all of your Real Estate needs, place yourself in the competent hands of a career Realtor who is a Philadelphia native and Delaware County resident. Skilled, smart and enthusiastic about his work and his life, Anthony DiDonato has the appealing combination of business sense and people skills gives him an edge in an industry that demands both. Educated at Drexel University with a dual major in accounting and finance and minors in management and psychology Anthony DiDonato offers over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. He has been a real estate investor since 1985 and a member of H.A.P.C.O. (Landlord Association). He became a licensed Realtor in 1992 and a member of the Local, Pennsylvania and National Associations of Realtors. Anthony DiDonato is also a member of the Computerized Multiple Listings, (MLS) and Internet Marketing Programs. In 1997 Anthony DiDonato became Century 21 All-Elite, Inc. Corporate Secretary. Anthony DiDonato believes in taking his profession to the highest level of quality service. He is known for finding that \u201cperfect\u201d property in Philadelphia, Delaware County, Chester County, Montgomery County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania for his buyers and helping his sellers prepare their properties so they sell quickly and efficiently. When it comes time to negotiate the terms of a contract, Anthony DiDonato has the knowledge, experience, and professionalism applied to meeting \u2013 or exceeding \u2013 his clients\u2019 expectations. His service to his clients is second to none. His honesty and integrity have been his claim to fame. For Superior Real Estate Representation in the Delaware Valley, Philadelphia, Delaware County, Chester County, Montgomery County and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania\u2026 call Anthony DiDonato.","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net"],"url":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/author\/admin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25557"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25557\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25558,"href":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25557\/revisions\/25558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}