The Future of Real Estate Why Buyers and Sellers Are Embracing Flat-Fee Agents

We’re excited to share that TurboHome was recently featured in MarketWatch in an article spotlighting how buyers and sellers are saving tens of thousands of dollars by moving away from the traditional 6% commission model. You can read the full article here: MarketWatch Feature.

The coverage highlights a growing truth in today’s housing market: the old way of doing real estate is dead. Buyers and sellers are now empowered to negotiate commissions, choose alternatives to traditional agents, and keep more money in their own pockets. And flat-fee brokerages like TurboHome are leading the way.

What Changed After the NAR Settlement?

In August 2024, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settled a landmark lawsuit that reshaped how real estate transactions work in the U.S.

• Sellers are no longer required to automatically cover both sides of the agent commissions.
  
  
• Buyers and sellers now negotiate how (and whether) agents are paid.
  
  
• Commission fees are no longer locked at 5–6% and are fully negotiable.
  
  

The result? Buyers and sellers finally have the flexibility to choose models that work for them, and many are deciding that flat-fee services make the most financial sense.

Stories and Savings

The MarketWatch article highlighted real buyers and sellers who put these new rules into action.

• In San Diego, our own TurboHome agent, Kevin Kretzmer, helped Alyse and Chris Ginter land their $4.5M dream home by offering a flat-fee model instead of the typical 2.5–3% buyer’s agent commission. By paying a flat $15,000 instead of nearly $120,000, the Ginters saved around $97,000 while still getting expert representation and negotiation.
  
  
• In Maryland, buyer Michelle Milburn skipped the traditional model, worked with a rebate-based brokerage, and pocketed $4,100 in commission savings.
  
  
• In Arizona, seller Brittney Vella avoided the traditional 6% commission altogether. By listing with a flat-fee service and doing some marketing herself, she kept $19,000 that would have otherwise gone to agents.
  
  

These stories aren’t just exceptions—they’re becoming the norm as more consumers demand transparency and control over commission costs.

Why Flat-Fee Models Like TurboHome Work

The old system tied agent pay to a percentage of your home’s price, which often meant tens of thousands of dollars leaving your pocket for the same level of service. TurboHome changes that with a $10,000 flat fee, no matter the price of the home.

That means:

• More savings for buyers and sellers. Whether your home costs $500,000 or $5 million, your fee stays the same.
  
  
• Aligned incentives. Our agents focus on your best deal, not inflating the sale price.
  
  
• Trust and transparency. You know upfront what you’ll pay, with no surprises at closing.
  
  

As one buyer told MarketWatch: “The old, traditional way is dead. Why would I pay a percentage when I can get expert representation for a flat fee and keep the savings?”

The Bottom Line

The real estate world is shifting—and fast. With the NAR settlement giving buyers and sellers more control, flat-fee brokerages like TurboHome are proving that you can save tens of thousands without sacrificing expertise or service.

We’re proud to be part of this movement, and even prouder that national outlets like MarketWatch are recognizing the impact.

Ready to see how much you can save? Visit TurboHome.com and start your smarter, simpler, flat-fee homebuying journey today.

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