‘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

Widow sues Compass for alleged abuse in pocket listing sale

The lawsuit alleges Compass agent Cory Cooper pressured an elderly homeowner to sell her property off the multiple listing service to a real estate investor he knew. 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

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

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

California Association of Realtors apologizes for racist past policies

“The Association was wrong.” The trade group says it’s taking “bold action” to address the legacy of discrimination that continues to impact access to housing today. 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