NAR: ‘The MLS is under attack’

Lawsuits alleging that NAR rules regarding multiple listing services prop up commissions that inflate buyer and seller costs keep proliferating. Continue reading

Compass readies for first earnings report after a turbulent month

As Compass gears up for its first-ever earnings call on May 12, here’s a review of the brokerage’s first month as a publicly traded company — including acquisitions, lawsuits and stock market highs and lows. Continue reading

NAR: Don’t work without a written listing agreement

Some agents may be tempted to advertise a property without a written and signed listing agreement in place to avoid having to enter the listing into their local multiple listing service. The National Association of Realtors has some advice: Don’t do it. Continue reading

Compass faces fourth lawsuit since initial public offering

Former Compass agents Todd and Lisa Sheppard have filed a class-action suit against the brokerage for price-fixing and making unfair commission deductions. Continue reading

NAR-DOJ rule changes won’t come for months

Rules regarding public display of buyer broker commissions and lockbox access for non-Realtors were originally slated to take effect by the end of March. Continue reading

Listen: REX releases recordings of agent steering

One agent told the discount brokerage: “I won’t bother to show [the listing]. Who’s your local agent though because I’ll make sure to tell people not to work with them.” Continue reading

NAR claps back on commission attacks

The trade group’s president accuses commission detractors of duplicity “for a payout” under the guise of protecting consumers. Continue reading

Consumer groups support REX suit against anti-rebate law

The Consumer Federation of America and the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group argue that prohibiting rebates to buyers and sellers stifles commission competition and harms consumers. Continue reading

Study commissioned by REX claims commissions are deeply inflated

Real estate commissions are inflated by as much as $50 billion per year due to the lack of price competition created by having listing brokers set co-op fees for buyer brokers, according to the report in the Berkeley Business Law Journal. Continue reading