Sellers Guide to Success

Thinking about hinking about selling your home in Florida? Whether you're downsizing, relocating, or simply testing the market, this guide is for you. Selling a home today looks different than it did just a year ago—especially with new rules that impact how buyer agents get paid. If you're a homeowner who wants to stay ahead of the curve, price strategically, and make your property stand out in a competitive market, you'll want to understand exactly what’s changed and how to navigate it like a pro.

Let's Dive In

Florida Home Seller’s Guide – What You Need to Know

Selling your Florida home in 2025? The rules have changed—and how you market, price, and negotiate matters more than ever. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement now separates buyer-agent compensation from your MLS listing. Translation: you're no longer required to offer a commission to the buyer’s agent—and if you do, it must happen off-MLS.

But here’s the good news: with the right exposure, smart pricing, and modern marketing (hello, video and social media), your home can still shine—and sell fast.

In this guide, you'll learn:

What the new NAR rules mean for you as a seller
How to market your home effectively in today's climate
Whether or not to offer buyer-agent compensation (and how to do it legally)
Step-by-step strategies to maximize exposure and negotiate like a pro

This is your playbook for selling confidently—and competitively—in today’s evolving market.

What’s Changed? NAR Commission Rules (Effective August 17, 2024)

Buyer-agent commissions can no longer appear in MLS listings. Sellers and listing agents are not allowed to include any compensation offers in MLS remarks, attachments, or private notes.
Buyers must sign a written Buyer Agency Agreement (BAA) before touring any homes. That agreement specifies compensation (a percentage, flat fee, or hourly rate)—strictly negotiable and objectively defined.
Sellers are no longer required to offer buyer-agent compensation—but may still choose to do so privately as part of their marketing strategy.

Bottom line: Sellers retain flexibility, but transparency and negotiation now rule the day.

What This Means for Florida Sellers

Your listing agreement (with the seller) must include your commission, per Florida law—but that information cannot be published in the MLS.
If you include commission details anywhere in an MLS listing (remarks, attachments, etc.), you risk fines, listing removal, or suspension. In Florida, violations have led to penalties of $500+ or worse.
Buyers' agents will need to ask privately how much the seller is offering—most still expect sellers to pay, even if it's unofficial.

What You Should Do as a Seller

Ask your listing agent:

Do they recommend offering buyer-agent compensation privately? Often it attracts more buyers.
How do they plan to communicate that to buyer agents off-MLS?
What concessions might substitute if no compensation is offered—like closing cost credits or repair allowances?

Marketing & Exposure Strategy (Video, Social & Beyond)

📸 Visual Marketing

Professional photos, drone footage (if applicable), and detailed virtual tours.
Create listing videos with neighborhood highlights to launch across YouTube and Instagram Reels.

🎥 Video Marketing

Film a story-driven walkthrough—focus on lifestyle and emotional appeal.
Post on TikTok and Instagram with trending real estate formats. Tag location and use relevant hashtags (#StAugustineHomes, #PalmCoastLiving).

🌐 Online & Social Platforms

Promote offers of buyer-agent compensation (if you choose to offer one) on your brokerage website, Facebook, Instagram, and mailers. (Not in the MLS, but perfectly legal elsewhere.) thesavarickgroup.com+13National Association of REALTORS®+13National Association of REALTORS®+13
Run targeted local ads to audiences considering relocation or first-time buyers focusing on key demographics.

📣 Open Houses & Events

Hold in-person and virtual open houses. Restrict virtual tours to platforms that comply with compliance and your disclosure process.
Offer a broker preview event—invite buyers’ agents to privately review compensation (if offered) as part of your marketing plan.

🧠 Leverage Email & CRM

Use drip campaigns to past clients or relocation leads with video updates, neighborhood stats, and promotional offers (including buyer-agent incentive).

Strategic Compensation Tactics

Scenario	Strategy
Competitive market	Offer a modest buyer-agent commission (2–2.5%) privately. Ads citing “commission offered to buyer’s agent” on your site can attract agents and buyers.
Strong market / low inventory	You may choose to offer nothing or minimal compensation—buyers more likely to negotiate directly or pay their agent.
Buyer negotiation	Be open to closing cost credits instead of commission—sometimes works better for buyers' financing.

Walkthrough: Step-by-Step Seller Process

Sign the listing agreement (includes your agent’s commission, per Florida law)

Decide whether to offer buyer-agent compensation (and how much, privately)

Launch professional visual, video, and online marketing

Educate buyers’ agents via email, site, or direct outreach

Hold open houses (virtual & in-person) and broker previews

Field offers—evaluate buyer’s agent representation and compensation expectations

Negotiate terms (purchase price, concessions, compensation)

Close with clear documentation of buyer’s agent fee or credits

🏡 Final Thoughts

You can still sell fast and smart - just adapt to the new model. By being transparent, strategic, and video-forward, you'll attract serious buyers and proactive agents. If you choose to offer compensation off-MLS, do it clearly and use it as a marketing tool—not a liability.

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