eXp Realty just announced a new set of transparency rules taking effect on December 1, 2025, and they’re designed to give buyers and sellers a clearer view into how referral fees work behind the scenes. The big idea is simple: consumers should know exactly who is paying whom, and they should always feel empowered to choose the professionals they want—whether that’s a lender, title company, inspector, or anyone else involved in their transaction.
One major update is that both listing agreements and buyer-agency agreements will now spell out when a broker-to-broker referral fee is being paid, who’s receiving it, and how it’s structured. This shift comes at a time when the real estate and mortgage industries are becoming more intertwined, creating situations where consumers may not always understand the relationships between companies or the incentives involved.
A big reason this level of transparency is gaining traction is the recent Zillow lawsuit, where Premier/Flex/Referral Agents alleged they were being pressured to push Zillow Home Loans in exchange for higher-quality leads. The claim was that consumers were being steered toward a preferred lender instead of being given a real choice.
What’s especially interesting is that eXp is moving ahead even before national rules are finalized. While similar disclosure requirements have been discussed at the industry level, they haven’t fully passed yet—so eXp is stepping forward as an early adopter of more transparent practices.
If you ever want to know where I stand and how things work, I'm available to dive into the details. I've always been an advocate for the consumer's best interest - for you, whether buying or selling, for any market and any situation.
