Berkshire Hathaway-owned lender settles redlining case with DOJ

This case is the first-ever redlining settlement against a mortgage company and the second-largest such settlement in DOJ history. Continue reading

Northwest MLS to directly spell out homesellers’ commission obligation

Effective Oct. 3, NWMLS’s forms will specify that buyer broker compensation will come directly from sellers and offer new options for how listing agents and buyer agents will be paid. Continue reading

What happens if the DOJ kills cooperation and compensation on the MLS?

Given how slowly change takes place in the real estate industry, any change in compensation may be years off, says author and coach Bernice Ross. On the other hand, if the DOJ were to force the end of the shared compensation, the industry will have to … Continue reading

Appeals court deals blow to NAR, allows pocket listing suit to continue

Three-judge panel concludes trade group must face allegations that the Clear Cooperation Policy was part of a group boycott to prevent The PLS from competing with MLSs, leaving agents with fewer choices, inflated prices and lower-quality products. Continue reading

From hate speech to antitrust: The year in MLSs and associations

2021 came with Realtor misbehavior, rising legal and regulatory scrutiny and MLSs becoming tech investors after Zillow’s acquisition of ShowingTime. Continue reading

Real estate in 2021 was weird, wild and always unpredictable

The year saw explosive rivalries, wild stock market performances and plenty of rage. Continue reading

LA broker sentenced to 10 years for role in pandemic relief scheme

Tamara Dadyan got 10 years in prison for her role in a scheme to apply for COVID-19 small business loans under fake or stolen identities. Continue reading

DOJ to appear in court in appeal of pocket listing lawsuit against NAR

The agency, which is currently investigating the trade association’s Clear Cooperation Policy, says it’s defending its interest in the application of antitrust laws to the real estate industry. Continue reading

NAR relies on the dictionary in its latest volley against the DOJ

The National Association of Realtors’ latest volley in its case against the U.S. Department of Justice includes images from Merriam-Webster’s dictionary that define the words “close” and “open” — a stark example of how far apart the two sides are as th… Continue reading

What to expect at NAR’s Realtors Conference & Expo this week

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and former NFL quarterback Drew Brees to speak at Realtors Conference & Expo in San Diego, plus much, much more. Continue reading