What changed with the NAR lawsuit
The National Association of Realtors lost a $1.2 billion class action lawsuit over how commissions were paid. The fallout changed everything about how real estate agents get paid:
- Buyers must now sign a buyer broker agreement before even touring a property
- That agreement states who pays your agent — generally, the buyer
- Sellers no longer have to offer a commission to the buyer's agent
- Many still do, because it helps sell the house in a slow market
The dual licensed difference
Alex Rinehart has been in the mortgage business for 27 years and is dual licensed — a mortgage broker (NMLS #875154) and a Florida real estate broker with full MLS board access. When you do your mortgage with Standard Florida Mortgage:
- Full-service real estate negotiation — free
- Everything a real estate agent does: MLS access, offers, negotiation, closing coordination
- One person accountable for the whole transaction — no more lender-vs-agent finger pointing
- Your qualification comes first, so every offer you make is a strong offer
Why 90% of agents closed zero deals in 2025
The market has thinned out the field. 90% of real estate agents closed zero deals in 2025, while paying $1,100–$1,500 per year just for MLS board access. The full-time, full-service professionals who know how to get deals done — like a dual licensed broker — are who you want in your corner.
Get started with the mortgage first
That's step one. We'll run your numbers, get you pre-qualified, and take it from there.
Start Your Application Call (754) 247-3930Video transcript
Alex Rinehart, Standard Florida Mortgage and Standard Florida Real Estate — dual licensed mortgage brokers and real estate brokers. A lot of people are confused about how real estate agents get paid these days after the NAR lawsuit and the $1.2 billion class action settlement. The rules changed: you have to sign a buyer broker agreement before you can even look at a property, and that agreement says who pays the real estate agent — generally the buyer. The seller doesn't have to offer a commission anymore, though most still do because it helps get the house sold. Standard Florida Mortgage and Standard Florida Real Estate have been dual licensed for about 15 years: full real estate service — negotiation, MLS access, everything an agent does — for free when you do your mortgage with us. 90% of real estate agents in 2025 closed zero deals while paying $1,100–$1,500 a year for MLS access. For 27 years in the mortgage business, the job has included listening to real estate agents ask "when is my deal going to close?" We get you qualified first — run your numbers, get you pre-qualified, everything a mortgage broker should do. In this environment, the only way to get a real estate transaction accomplished is with a dual licensed lender. There aren't a lot of people like us. We'd love to serve you. Alex Rinehart, Standard Florida Mortgage, NMLS #1828502.