Grant Clayton: Why 1 Percent Lists’ Model Already Wins in the New Buyer-Paid Commission Era Post-NAR Settlement
I. Introduction: The Real Estate Seismic Shift – Or Is It?
The real estate industry is currently abuzz with talk of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement. Many are calling it a monumental disruption that will fundamentally alter how homes are bought and sold.
But for industry veterans like Grant Clayton, CEO of 1 Percent Lists, this isn’t a disruption at all. He sees it as a profound validation of the efficient, cost-saving business model his company has championed for years.
Grant Clayton argues that the new buyer-paid commission model merely levels the playing field. It forces the entire industry to finally catch up to the efficiency and transparent cost-savings that 1 Percent Lists has advocated since its inception.
This article will dissect the NAR settlement and its true NAR settlement implications. We will illuminate 1 Percent Lists’ forward-thinking approach, revealing why traditional brokerages are scrambling to adapt while our model continues its confident stride, now more relevant than ever.
II. Understanding the NAR Settlement: The “Disruption” That Wasn’t for All
A. What is the NAR Settlement?
At its core, the NAR settlement is an agreement that will eliminate the long-standing practice of cooperative compensation offers on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This change is set to reshape how agents are paid.
Effective mid-2024, listing agents will no longer be able to offer compensation to buyer agents directly through the MLS. This represents a significant shift in how commissions are handled in real estate transactions.
B. Key Changes in Real Estate Commission Structure
The most impactful change is the shift towards requiring buyer-broker agreements. These agreements will now explicitly outline the buyer’s agent fees, making costs transparent to the buyer.
Buyers will effectively be paying their agent’s commission directly, either out of pocket or by negotiating it into the home’s purchase price. This increased transparency marks a departure from the historical model where buyer agent fees were often perceived as
Grant Clayton: Why 1 Percent Lists’ Model Already Wins in the New Buyer-Paid Commission Era Post-NAR Settlement
I. Introduction: The Real Estate Seismic Shift – Or Is It?
The real estate industry is buzzing with news of the NAR settlement. Many are calling it a monumental disruption, a shake-up unlike anything seen before.
However, for companies like 1 Percent Lists, this isn’t disruption. Instead, it’s a long-awaited alignment, a profound validation of a business model that has always put the seller first.
Grant Clayton, CEO of 1 Percent Lists, asserts that this isn’t a problem to be solved, but rather a confirmation of the efficient, cost-saving approach his company has championed for years.
The new buyer-paid commission model levels the playing field, exposing the inefficiencies of traditional brokerages. It cements 1 Percent Lists’ 1% seller commission as the logical and financially superior choice.
This article will unpack the settlement’s details and illuminate 1 Percent Lists’ forward-thinking approach. We will reveal why traditional brokerages are scrambling, while 1 Percent Lists continues its stride, well-prepared for the future.
II. Understanding the NAR Settlement: The “Disruption” That Wasn’t for All
A. What is the NAR Settlement?
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently reached a significant settlement regarding real estate commissions. This agreement aims to resolve widespread litigation concerning commission practices.
In essence, the settlement eliminates the long-standing rule requiring listing agents to offer cooperative compensation to buyer agents through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Effective mid-2024, this change will fundamentally alter how buyer agents are compensated. It’s designed to bring more transparency to the transaction process.
B. Key Changes in Real Estate Commission Structure
One of the primary NAR settlement implications is a significant shift towards direct buyer-broker agreements. Buyers will now explicitly contract with and compensate their agents.
This change increases transparency, as buyers will clearly see what they are paying for agent services. No longer will the buyer agent’s fee be implicitly baked into the seller’s commission.
These real estate commission changes mean sellers will negotiate their own listing agent’s fee, and buyers their agent’s fee. It’s a clearer delineation of costs for both parties.
C. The Traditional Brokerage Panic
Traditional real estate models heavily relied on seller-funded buyer agent commissions. This allowed buyer agents to claim their services were “free” to the buyer, a notion now dismantled.
Many legacy brokerages are now facing a period of confusion and fear. Their established business practices and compensation structures are under threat.
They are scrambling to adapt to a landscape where their historical model of splitting commissions from the seller is no longer viable. This situation highlights their inherent reliance on a less transparent system.
III. 1 Percent Lists’ Proactive Model: Already Ahead of the Curve (Grant Clayton’s Vision)
A. The 1 Percent Lists Core Principle: Full Service, 1% Commission
From its inception, 1 Percent Lists was founded on a simple, powerful principle. We provide the same comprehensive Realtor duties as traditional brokerages, but for only 1 percent of the home’s sales price.
This model drastically reduces costs for sellers, leading to substantial seller savings real estate. Grant Clayton understood that value didn’t require exorbitant fees.
Our commitment is to deliver full service without compromising on quality or results. We believe sellers deserve to keep more of their hard-earned equity.
B. Technology as an Efficiency Multiplier
Grant Clayton saw early on how technology could transform real estate. 1 Percent Lists leveraged digital tools from day one to streamline every aspect of the selling process.
This tech-driven approach significantly reduces overhead and operational costs, unlike traditional models. The savings are then directly passed on to the home seller.
Historically, while technology brought efficiencies to the industry, those benefits rarely reached the seller’s pocket. 1 Percent Lists changed that by building its 1 percent commission model around these efficiencies. Real Estate Catching Up To The Internet has been a core belief here.
C. Why Our Model *Already* Solved the “Problem”
Grant Clayton’s argument is clear: the NAR settlement isn’t creating a problem for us; it’s forcing the rest of the industry to catch up. It validates the transparent, value-for-money approach 1 Percent Lists pioneered years ago.
Our 1 percent commission model was always built on the premise of direct, transparent seller costs. We never relied on hidden cooperative fees to attract buyers.
This makes 1 Percent Lists an industry leader among discount real estate brokers. Our model proves that top-tier service can be delivered without the hefty traditional price tag, a vision championed by Grant Clayton real estate expertise.
IV. The New Landscape: Buyer-Paid Commissions and Enhanced Scrutiny
A. Buyers Directly Confronting Agent Costs
With the new rules, buyer agent commissions are no longer hidden within the seller’s closing costs. Buyers must now explicitly budget for and pay their agent’s fees.
This change brings a new level of transparency to the buyer side of the transaction. It will increase buyers’ awareness of what their agent actually costs.
The era of the




