Change in real estate is constant. However, 2024 and 2025 haven’t just been about change; they’ve been about disruption. From commission lawsuits to housing market volatility, shifting consumer expectations, and the evolution of buyer representation, our industry has been tested at every level. The difference between firms that thrive and those that stall isn’t just […]
Talking the talk: Real estate’s communication makeover Read More »
Almost 11 months have passed since the business practice changes mandated by the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) commission lawsuit settlement agreement went into effect. Now, the co-lead counsel for the settlement class is looking to find out if the parties are complying. In a letter sent in April but filed in court last week, the
Plaintiffs’ attorneys are checking on NAR settlement compliance Read More »
When the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) agreed to implement mandatory buyer representation agreements as part of its commission lawsuit settlement agreement, the trade group said it was in the name of increased transparency. It’s with this same goal in mind that Northwest MLS (NWMLS) said it chose to implement referral fee disclosures. “Northwest MLS
Are broker-to-broker referral fees next in the real estate hot seat? Read More »
In a move that’s unsurprising, U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Bough has granted final approval to 15 more commission lawsuit settlement agreements. Bough granted final approval to settlements negotiated in the Gibson and Keel suits during a joint hearing on Tuesday afternoon. The settling defendants in the two suits, both of which are being overseen
15 commission lawsuit settlements gain final approval Read More »
Commission lawsuit settlement agreements from 15 real estate industry players, including major names like Keyes Co./Illustrated Properties, Side, JPAR, NextHome and Baird & Warner will be up for final approval on Tuesday, June 24. The fifteen settling defendants, which come from the Gibson and Keel suits, filed a joint motion for final approval of the
15 commission lawsuit settlements are up for final approval next week Read More »
Few events in recent real estate history have rattled the industry more than the antitrust lawsuits filed against major brokerages and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), accusing them of artificially inflating agent commission rates. NAR settled the Sitzer-Burnett case for $418 million and agreed to rules that the plaintiffs believed would help bring down
Are settlement rules pushing down agent commissions? New survey says the opposite Read More »
The settlement agreement between MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN) and the Nosalek commission lawsuit plaintiffs has been granted preliminary approval for a second time. Judge Patti B. Saris of U.S. District Court in Boston granted preliminary approval to the fourth amended settlement agreement between the MLS defendant and the home seller plaintiffs at a
MLS PIN settlement gains preliminary approval … again Read More »
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has withdrawn its objection to MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN)’s preliminary settlement of the Nosalek commission lawsuit after the two sides negotiated amended terms. In a court filing on Thursday, MLS PIN and the plaintiffs disclosed that the former will prohibit offers of cooperative compensation on its platform, which
DOJ withdraws objection to MLS PIN settlement, clearing the way for preliminary approval Read More »
A federal judge has granted preliminary settlement approval in the Hooper commission lawsuit that involves several high-profile real estate brokerages — including eXp World Holdings, Mark Spain Real Estate, Weichert of North America and Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage. The order signed by U.S. District Court Judge Mark H. Cohen grants early approval for the settlement
Hooper commission lawsuit settlements granted preliminary approval Read More »
The spring homebuying season is in full swing. But what is typically the busiest time of year for homebuilders has not lived up to the hype in 2025. As builders struggle to close sales, resulting in declines in builder confidence and in company revenues, many have started to pile on buyer sales incentives. According to
Homebuilder sales incentives are in full bloom this spring Read More »