Consumers will determine the future of the real estate industry

Stephen Brobeck, senior fellow at Consumer Federation of America, examines the aftermath of the Sitzer | Moehrl commission settlement and what it means for the industry’s future. Continue reading

Where real estate’s major players stand on Clear Cooperation Policy

Some real estate leaders say the focus on Clear Cooperation stems from the recent commission lawsuits. But other see a deeper question about brokerage profits at the heart of the issue. Continue reading

Clear Cooperation takes center stage, faces pressure to change

Officials from the National Association of Realtors are meeting this week to discuss the so-called pocket listing ban — one of the industry’s most polarizing rules. Continue reading

Consumer watchdog advises buyers to pay agents ‘2% or less’

The Consumer Federation of America also tells consumers not to agree to pay an agent just to see a home, but to sign a touring agreement with no financial obligation instead. Continue reading

Consumer watchdog develops new standard to assess buyer contracts

After brokerages and MLSs reached out, the Consumer Federation of America created criteria focused on whether agreements are readable, understandable, and fair to buyers. Continue reading

Listing agreement slammed as CFA resumes California Realtors probe

The second report by the Consumer Federation of America to focus on the California Association of Realtors in as many weeks examines the association’s 7,000-word homeseller listing agreement. Continue reading

Watchdog group takes aim at California buyer rep agreements

New report shines light on buyer representation agreements as brokerages and Realtor organizations move to update forms and comply with legal settlements this summer. Continue reading

The good, bad and ugly: Rating the media’s commission coverage

After the National Association of Realtors announced its proposed commission settlement in March, mainstream media covered the historic news with mixed results, an Inman analysis shows. Continue reading

The NAR settlement would bring ‘significant benefits’ to buyers: CFA

That includes benefits for first-time homebuyers, who might be better served by inexperienced agents. However, some benefits require changes from mortgage lenders, consumer watchdog says. Continue reading

Buyer agency contracts riddled with ‘unfair’ terms, CFA declares

The Consumer Federation of America, a watchdog group, examined 43 contracts from 37 states, most from state or local Realtor associations, and found practices it believes worthy of scrutiny. Continue reading