{"id":26293,"date":"2026-09-23T12:21:36","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T12:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/?p=26293"},"modified":"2026-09-23T12:21:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T12:21:37","slug":"buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Buyer Representation Is Still Very Much Part of Real Estate in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Buying a home in 2026? You may have heard that the rules around buyer\u2019s agents, commissions and representation have changed. They have\u2014but that doesn\u2019t mean buyer representation has gone away.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re shopping for a home today, you\u2019ll likely encounter something that may be new to you: before touring a home with a real estate professional, you may be asked to sign a written buyer agreement. That agreement is designed to make the relationship clearer by explaining the services your agent will provide and how that agent will be compensated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many buyers, this can actually make the homebuying process easier to understand. Instead of wondering who your agent represents, what services they provide or how they get paid, those details can be discussed upfront and put in writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So, Do You Still Need a Buyer\u2019s Agent?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s ultimately a decision each buyer needs to make based on their own circumstances. But buyer representation is certainly <strong>not a thing of the past<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Real estate professionals continue to work with buyers throughout the homebuying process\u2014helping them find properties, arrange tours, understand market information, negotiate terms and navigate the transaction. What has changed is the emphasis on clearly establishing the relationship and discussing compensation before moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under current NAR MLS policy, an MLS Participant working with a buyer generally must have a written agreement with that buyer <strong>before touring a home<\/strong>, including in-person and live virtual tours. The agreement must clearly state how the professional will be compensated and that broker compensation is negotiable. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/handbook-on-multiple-listing-policy\/no-compensation-offers-in-mls-section-4-written-buyer-agreements-required-policy-statement-8-13?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">nar.realtor<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Does That Mean for You as a Buyer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biggest takeaway is that <strong>you should understand the agreement before you sign it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A buyer representation agreement can outline the services your real estate professional will provide, the length of the relationship and how compensation will work. Compensation is negotiable, and there isn&#8217;t one standard commission rate that every buyer is required to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the 2026 NAR Code of Ethics, REALTORS\u00ae entering into buyer\/tenant agreements must explain compensation, including the amount the client will pay, if any, and the possibility of compensation coming from other sources. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/about-nar\/governing-documents\/code-of-ethics\/2026-code-of-ethics-standards-of-practice?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">nar.realtor<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That gives buyers an opportunity to have an important conversation before they start seriously shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Rules Have Changed, But Representation Hasn&#8217;t Disappeared<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;ve been following the headlines about real estate commissions, you may understandably be wondering what all of this means when you&#8217;re ready to buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The answer isn&#8217;t that buyers can no longer have an agent. Instead, the industry has moved toward greater transparency around the buyer-agent relationship, services and compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For buyers, that means asking questions is more important than ever. Before signing an agreement, make sure you understand <strong>what your agent will do for you, how long the agreement lasts, how compensation works and whether you could have an obligation to pay compensation yourself.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The homebuying process can already feel complicated enough. Understanding your relationship with your real estate professional shouldn&#8217;t be another mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Buyer representation is still here in 2026. The difference is that today&#8217;s buyers have more reason to have a clear conversation about the relationship and compensation before they begin the journey.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong> REALTOR\u00ae Magazine<br \/>\u201cNAR Attorneys: Buyer Representation Is Not a Thing of the Past\u201d<br \/>National Association of REALTORS\u00ae<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buying a home in 2026? You may have heard that the rules around buyer\u2019s agents, commissions and representation have changed. They have\u2014but that doesn\u2019t mean buyer representation has gone away. If you\u2019re shopping for a home today, you\u2019ll likely encounter something that may be new to you: before touring a home with a real estate &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link btn\" href=\"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-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-26293","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 v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Buyer Representation Is Still Very Much Part of Real Estate 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\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-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\\\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/964792b6994e8cc4cbddc36ad4824908\"},\"headline\":\"Buyer Representation Is Still Very Much Part of Real Estate in 2026\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-23T12:21:36+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-23T12:21:37+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":566,\"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\\\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.anthonydidonato.net\\\/wordpress\\\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\\\/\",\"name\":\"Buyer Representation Is Still Very Much Part of Real Estate in 2026 - 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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":"Buyer Representation Is Still Very Much Part of Real Estate 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\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-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\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\/"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/#\/schema\/person\/964792b6994e8cc4cbddc36ad4824908"},"headline":"Buyer Representation Is Still Very Much Part of Real Estate in 2026","datePublished":"2026-09-23T12:21:36+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-23T12:21:37+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\/"},"wordCount":566,"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\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\/","url":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\/","name":"Buyer Representation Is Still Very Much Part of Real Estate 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":"2026-09-23T12:21:36+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-23T12:21:37+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/buyer-representation-is-still-very-much-part-of-real-estate-in-2026\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Buyer Representation Is Still Very Much Part of Real Estate 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. 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