Gov. Gavin Newsom signed laws on Tuesday, Sept. 24, that limits the length of real estate contracts between homebuyers and their agents to 3 months, implementing a deadline on agreements that became mandatory last month following the National Association of Realtors' settlement within the commission lawsuit.

Legislative Assembly Bill 2992 was passed unanimously within the state legislature last month.

The latest law requires the written consent of each the customer and the broker to renew buyer representation agreements every three months.

Since August, a minimum of 27 states, including Washington and Oregon, have required such agreements, based on the California Association of Realtors, which introduced the bill.

California law only requires sellers to have written agreements with their agents, however the NAR settlement made such agreements mandatory for all buyers working with agents who’re members of a Realtor-affiliated multiple listing service, a database of homes on the market.

See also: How do the brand new real estate rules work? Answers to your questions

Until the agreement was reached, NAR required sellers to pay each buyer and seller commissions. According to a NAR survey, only 4 in 10 buyers had written agreements with their brokers by 2023.

Under the brand new NAR rules, buyers are chargeable for paying their very own brokerage commissions, but can require the vendor to cover their share during purchase negotiations.

NAR agreed to the rule changes after losing a $1.8 billion class motion lawsuit in federal court in Missouri.

AB 2992 was one among 18 consumer protection laws the governor signed on Tuesday.

Celts

It didn't take long for the Celtics to strengthen their frontcourt for the 2024-25 season.

Just minutes after the official start of NBA Free Agency on Sunday evening, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Celtics has signed substitute player Luke Kornet to a one-year contract.

Just just a few hours later Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that The Celtics also agreed to a multi-year contract with Neemias Queta.

Both signings ahead of NBA free agent fever are two proactive moves by Brad Stevens because the Celtics need reinforcements on offense with Kristaps Porzingis (ankle surgery) expected to be out for the beginning of the 2024-25 season.

While Boston has some options on offense and Al Horford is predicted to be back next season, Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics may also need to concentrate to the playing time of Horford, who turned 38 earlier this month.

Kornet established himself as a invaluable backup option for the Celtics last season, averaging 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 63 games (seven starts). The 28-year-old center provided invaluable depth for Boston in 2023-24, largely on account of his 7-foot-10 height.

The Celtics are counting on the continued development of Queta, who turns 25 on July 13. The Portuguese played in 28 games for Boston within the 2023/24 season, averaging 5.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 11.9 minutes per game.

Queta, who stands 7 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 250 kilos, has been a useful addition for Boston, especially when each Porzingis and Horford were unavailable.

Since the Celtics are already above the second level of the NBA's recent collective bargaining agreement, their ability to usher in external reinforcements via free agency this summer is severely limited.

However, Boston is prone to return to its full starting lineup and key substitutes within the 2024/25 season, especially with the return of Kornet and Queta.

Stevens and the Celtics still have some decisions to make regarding Xavier Tillman and Svi Mykhailiuk, each of whom are unrestricted free agents. Oshae Brissett reportedly declined his player option and may also turn into a free agent this offseason.