Author Archives: Andrea V. Brambila

Invitation Homes to pay $48M to settle tenant ‘junk fee’ claims

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The FTC alleges the company advertised monthly rental rates that did not include mandatory “hidden” fees that could add up to more than $1,700 per year. Continue reading →

NAR rival AREA launches petition to end Clear Cooperation Policy

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The American Real Estate Association’s call to end NAR’s pocket rule has drawn more than 2,000 signatures since Friday, according to group co-founder Jason Haber, a Compass agent. Continue reading →

Buyer commission suit against Hanna adds new, familiar plaintiffs

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There are now more than two dozen named plaintiffs in an antitrust case against the parent company of Howard Hanna, several of them also plaintiffs in other buyer commission suits. Continue reading →

Attorneys request $226M from NAR and HomeServices deals

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Law professor estimates the plaintiffs’ law firms are asking for only 3 percent of the total value of the deals when ‘historic’ business practice changes are taken into account. Continue reading →

New forms aim to sidestep NAR settlement, law professor warns

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In a new report, University of Buffalo contracts law professor Tanya Monestier details ways in which contracts allow buyer agents to collect more compensation than agreed-to with the buyer. Continue reading →

Consumer group: Stop trying to ‘force’ sellers to pay buyer brokers

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Doug Millier and Wendy Gilch of Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate revealed to Inman on Tuesday the origins of the Moehrl case while sending a warning that the industry will be “under a microscope.” Continue reading →

Consumer group behind Moehrl flags commission workarounds

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Doug Miller of Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate, the initiator behind the first bombshell antitrust lawsuit, sounds alarm against Realtor talking points that “continue steering.” Continue reading →

Consumer group behind Moehrl flags commission workarounds

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Doug Miller of Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate, the initiator behind the first bombshell antitrust lawsuit, sounds alarm against Realtor talking points that “continue steering.” Continue reading →

When is a buyer contract required? At showings — but not open houses

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The National Association of Realtors’ proposed settlement agreement requires brokers and agents to sign contracts with buyers they’re “working with.” But what exactly does that mean? Continue reading →

Michael Ketchmark: Every move you make, we’ll be watching you

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In a phone interview, lead plaintiffs’ counsel Michael Ketchmark weighed in on the consequences of violating the NAR settlement, Zillow’s business model, and the “monster case” that remains. Continue reading →