Judges decline to ‘centralize’ commission lawsuits for now

A panel of judges considering whether to consolidate real estate commission lawsuits into one cited the recent NAR settlement as a reason to deny the request. Continue reading

A proactive approach to the market effects of the latest legal wrangles

The future of real estate depends on the actions we take today in the wake of Sitzer | Burnett. Coach Darryl Davis offers advice for taking a proactive approach to whatever comes next for brokers. Continue reading

Sitzer | Burnett: Live updates from the buyer-agent commission trial

The long-awaited Sitzer | Burnett commission trial is underway in Kansas City, Missouri, and Inman is covering it all live as it unfolds. Check back early and often for news, views, schedules and more. Continue reading

What if the commission is only $1? NAR’s legal team weighs in

At the Realtors Legislative Meetings, NAR attorney Charlie Lee stressed agents can’t count on a “standard” commission and will have to negotiate compensation with clients and listing brokers. Continue reading

Nearly two-thirds of brokerage sites aren’t displaying commissions

Consumer Federation of America: Despite an NAR rule change, only Redfin displays buyer-agent compensation in virtually all of the major cities examined. Continue reading

HomeLight raises real estate agent referral fee to 33%

The real estate tech firm says it will use the increase on new marketing channels and product changes while a critic says high referral fees lead agents to inflate commissions and skimp on service. 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

Referral fees from so-called ‘paper brokerages’ including Zillow inflate commissions by $15B a year: CEO

Calling it a “kickback scheme,” HomeOpenly CEO Dmitry Shkipin told the FHFA to ban referral fees charged by online brokerages — including Zillow — that don’t actually buy and sell property. Continue reading

‘Don’t wait until the plane crashes’: Lawyers offer grim antitrust update

Chris Osborn, Mitch Skinner and Claude Szyfer offered an update on multiple industry antitrust lawsuits at the Council of Multiple Listing Services’ annual conference. Continue reading

What haunts MLS leaders? Politics, commissions and their own demise

At the Council of Multiple Listing Services’ annual conference, CEOs discussed being ready for the possible death of the commission structure and why MLSs should be run as businesses. Continue reading