‘Homeowner benefit agreements’ in spotlight amid MV Realty probe

North Carolina regulators are investigating alleged predatory and deceptive practices by Florida-based MV Realty, which operates in 33 states and has more than 500 licensed agents. Continue reading

What to watch for at NAR’s annual conference this week

NAR NXT in Orlando will feature sessions on fair housing, politics, market forecasts, MLS data-sharing and a proposed update to the Realtor Code of Ethics, among other topics. Continue reading

Judge orders Zillow to give REX FSBO listing data

Federal court in Seattle grants the discount brokerage’s motion to compel on the grounds that the data could show whether Zillow and NAR caused harm to REX or to competition in general. Continue reading

Existing-home sales drop for 8th straight month in September

Existing-home sales sagged 1.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.71 million, 23.8 percent lower than in Sept. 2021, according to data released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors. Continue reading

NYC real estate commissions are all over the map: Consumer watchdog

In a report on Wednesday, the Consumer Federation of America found the median commissions listing agents offered to buyer agents ranged from 1 percent in parts of Brooklyn to 3 percent in Manhattan. Continue reading

Rent-to-own startup Landis raises $40M from Google, Jay-Z and NAR

The new Series B funding will go toward boosting the company’s homeownership coaching program, growing its team and expanding to new markets. Continue reading

Industry groups renew push for lower FHA mortgage premiums

The Black Homeownership Collaborative also asks HUD to ditch a “life of loan” requirement that forces homeowners to continue paying mortgage insurance premiums in perpetuity. Continue reading

Inflation up 8.2% over last year — and housing is largely to blame

The government’s estimate of the cost of owning a primary residence rose 0.8 percent in September and was up 6.7 percent compared to a year ago, which is the largest 12-month increase in the category’s history. Continue reading

Minneapolis Realtors apologize for racial discrimination in real estate

“Minneapolis Area Realtors apologizes to all members of the community who have been burdened, denied service, or ignored by our actions.” The trade group also releases policy changes designed to close the racial homeownership gap. Continue reading

Seeking clout, MLS trade group taps ex-DOJ and FTC antitrust lawyers

The Council of Multiple Listing Services has hired Alicia Batts and Dylan Carson to help the trade group exert influence over MLS-related decisions at the antitrust enforcement agencies. Continue reading