NAR breaks silence on DOJ call to decouple commissions

Consumer watchdog CFA hails federal agency’s proposal to ban sellers from making compensation offers as a “major watershed” in promoting more competition in real estate. Continue reading

49% of agents sold either 1 home or none at all in the past year: CFA

Agent “glut” means part-timers are now the majority, leading to “widespread incompetence and pressure to maintain high commission rates,” according to the Consumer Federation of America. Continue reading

‘Marginal agents’ with fewer sales now claim quarter of commissions

Agents with five or fewer sales a year took in an estimated 25-30 percent of all commission income in three disparate markets, according to an analysis of MLS data by the Consumer Federation of America. Continue reading

Nearly two-thirds of brokerage sites aren’t displaying commissions

Consumer Federation of America: Despite an NAR rule change, only Redfin displays buyer-agent compensation in virtually all of the major cities examined. Continue reading

NAR-DOJ ruling divides agents over commission, pocket listing rules

Agents and brokers who spoke to Inman following the ruling in favor of NAR disagreed on who is “overreaching” in the case and on whether changes to the controversial rules are necessary. 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

Commission study paid for by HomeServices comes under fire

The study argues that decoupling commissions would harm first-time, low-income, and minority buyers, but critics like the Consumer Federation of America say it’s based on a faulty premise. Continue reading

Watchdog calls for ban on sellers offering buyer agent commissions

In a new report alleging the majority of commissions are nearly identical in 35 U.S. cities, the Consumer Federation of America said offers to buyer agents should be legally prohibited. Continue reading

‘Highly uniform’ commissions designed to thwart competition: study

The Consumer Federation of America pushes for an end to the sharing of commissions between listing and buyer brokers to spur price competition. Continue reading