Full-service representation for buyers at a flat-fee of $7,900

At SLO County Homes, we offer full service at a fair price by eliminating unnecessary commission splits and passing these savings to the buyer or seller. Our new Buyer Service costs $7,900 plus $95 per showing (showings paid in advance). Virtual facetime showings are also available for $95/showing. Our flat-fee Listing Service costs $9,900.

Full-service representation for buyers at a flat-fee of $7,900

At SLO County Homes, we offer full service at a fair price by eliminating unnecessary
commission splits and passing these savings to the buyer or seller. Our new Buyer Service is $7,900 plus $95 per showing (showings paid in advance). Virtual Facetime showings are available for $95/showing.
Our flat-fee Listing Service costs $9,900.

At SLO County Homes, we’re committed to providing exceptional service, cutting-edge marketing strategies, and substantial cost savings for our clients. Contact us today to experience the difference in real estate excellence.

The Big Change that will Impact the Real Estate Industry

The recent settlement by the National Association of Realtors has enabled SLO County Homes to offer a competitive lower-cost Buyer Agent service.

In 2024, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reached a landmark settlement with
the Department of Justice, leading to a significant shift in real estate commission
structures. Starting August 13, 2024, sellers will no longer be required to pay the buyer’s
agent commission. This change aims to address concerns about inflated commission costs and promote a more transparent and affordable buyer service.

What’s New in Commission Structures?

1. Seller’s Obligation to Pay Buyer’s Commission:

Previous Model: Sellers were responsible for paying the buyer’s agent commission.
New Rule: Sellers are no longer obligated to pay this commission, offering a
more flexible approach to commission payments.

2. Buyer Representation Agreement:

Buyers will need to sign an agreement (CAR Form BRBC) outlining the commission owed to their agent, potentially adding financial pressure. A signed buyers representation agreement is required before an agent can
show a home.

3. Seller’s Options for Commission Payment:

A buyer can ask a seller to pay for some or all of the buyer agent’s commission in the
offer. Following are the seller’s options.

Full Commission: Seller covers the entire commission.
Partial Commission: Seller pays part, with the buyer covering the rest.
No Commission: Seller declines to pay any commission, leaving it entirely
up to the buyer to pay their agent.

Financial Implications for Buyers:

High Costs:

For a $1 million home, a 2.5% commission amounts to $25,000, which can be a substantial burden if the seller does not contribute.

Negotiation Impact:

Requesting commission coverage from the seller reduces the seller’s net proceeds, potentially impacting the strength of the offer.

How SLO County Homes is Adapting:

Flat-Fee Pricing:

We offer a flat fee of $7,900 for our buyer service, plus $95 per showing. This model significantly reduces buyers’ costs and enhances the appeal of their offers to sellers.

Competitive Advantage:

What matters to a seller is how much an offer will net them. Two offers are submitted to a seller, one asks to pay $25,000 for their agents commission and the SLO County Homes buyer asks for $7,900. That’s a $17,100 advantage!

Increased Seller Incentives:

With our fair pricing, sellers may be more inclined to cover the buyer’s commission, due to the reduced overall transaction cost.

Market Impact:

Brokerage Profitability:

Traditional brokerages may struggle with the shift from high commission rates and multiple fees. Our low-overhead, flat-fee model effectively addresses these challenges.

Strategic Adaptation:

Brokerages must adapt to the new commission structure. SLO County Homes’ model offers a sustainable solution that balances cost savings for buyers and sellers with profitability.

As the real estate industry evolves, embracing innovative and cost-effective solutions like those offered by SLO County Homes will be crucial for navigating the new landscape. We’re here to provide you with exceptional service and transparency at a fair price. Feel free to reach out to us for more information or to get started with our flat-fee buyer services!

Commission Comparison

Sale Price	2.5% Commission	Our Flat-fee
$500,000	$12,500	$7,900
$600,000	$15,000	$7,900
$700,000	$17,500	$7,900
$800,000	$20,000	$7,900
$900,000	$22,500	$7,900
$1,000,000	$25,000	$7,900
$1,100,000	$27,500	$7,900
$1,250,000	$31,250	$7,900
$1,500,000	$37,500	$7,900
$1,750,000	$43,750	$ 7,900
$2,000,000	$50,000	$ 7,900
$2,250,000	$56,250	$ 7,900
$2,500,000	$62,500	$7,900

Our Buyer Service Includes:

Comprehensive Buyer Representation:

We’ll prepare the Buyer Representation Agreement (CAR Form BRBC) and guide you through every step of the home-buying process

Property Research

Before touring homes, we conduct thorough research to ensure you have all the information needed to make informed decisions.

Expert Negotiation and Transaction Coordination

When it’s time to make an offer, you’ll benefit from the expertise of both Keith Byrd and Tanya Knowles, our seasoned Transaction Coordinator who manages over 1,000 transactions annually. Tanya’s extensive
experience helps achieve a smooth and successful transaction.

Full-Service Support

We attend inspections, negotiate repair requests, and handle all aspects of the transaction to ensure a seamless experience.

Transaction Archive

After escrow closes, you’ll receive a bound book with all transaction paperwork and a USB thumb drive containing digital copies. One day, you’re going to be looking for something and we’re betting that you’ll say “now
that was easy to find”.

Why Choose Us?

We’re not a “discount broker” that cuts out services to reduce cost. We offer a fair-priced, flat-fee buyer service by keeping our overhead low and eliminating unnecessary commission splits, franchise fees, and referral costs.

We also don’t hold you hostage with a contract. We have you sign a non-exclusive buyer representation agreement, and we agree to put immediate termination in the agreement. If you sign an exclusive buyer representation agreement, once you submit a notice of termination you have to wait 30 days until the agreement is terminated. That pretty much freezes you from looking at homes for a month. If you continue your home search with another agent before the exclusive buyer agreement is terminated, you may be liable to pay two commissions. We don’t recommend signing exclusive buyer representation agreements.

How Does Our Service Work?

A Buyer does research online to determine what properties they are interested in. The Buyer talks to a lender and gets a prequalification letter. When ready to see
properties, Buyer contacts SLO County Homes. We’ll send the Buyer a non-exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement to sign and then we’ll start touring properties! From there we will work hard to get the property the buyer wants at the best price while keeping the transaction moving along until we close!