News that the proposed merger between Compass and Anywhere would close this week came as a surprise to many in the industry, especially those who were anticipating a robust antitrust review of the deal. Several news outlets are reporting that antitrust regulators were blocked from a deeper investigation into the deal by officials higher up in […]
WSJ: DOJ leadership halted antitrust review of Compass–Anywhere deal Read More »
The Department of Justice (DOJ) wants a federal court in Philadelphia to take a close look at real estate agent commissions. Last Friday, the DOJ filed a statement of interest in the Davis homebuyer commission lawsuit filed in May 2024 against Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. The statement of interest was signed by Assistant Attorney
DOJ wants antitrust review of real estate commissions in Davis suit Read More »
Compass’s proposed acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate may give the firm some eyebrow-raising market share levels in certain markets across the country, according to analysis of RealTrends Verified data published by The Capitol Forum earlier this week. This includes more than 80% market share in both Newport Beach, California and Manhattan. According to the publication’s
Compass-Anywhere deal may exceed DOJ market-share limits in some cities Read More »
President Donald Trump’s new executive order that creates a single federal framework for artificial intelligence (AI) is reverberating throughout the housing industry. While states have been moving to regulate AI tools used in home pricing, marketing, tenant screening and mortgage decisions, the new order asserts federal authority over AI regulation. The Department of Justice (DOJ)
Will federal AI regulations override state housing efforts? Read More »
Nonprofit organizations say the Trump administration has dramatically scaled back fair lending oversight — and they’re stepping in to fill the void. In its latest move, the Department of Justice (DOJ) this week announced the rescission of disparate-impact liability from its Title VI regulations, while other parts of the federal government have reduced enforcement of
Nonprofits launch fair lending tip lines as federal oversight wanes Read More »
Prosecutors reviewing the mortgage occupancy fraud case against New York Attorney General Letitia James determined there is evidence that undercuts the allegations against her, according to an ABC News report based on sources. According to a September memo summarizing the findings, any financial benefit James may have received would have been minimal — roughly $800
Memo reportedly undercuts mortgage fraud allegations against Letitia James Read More »
A federal grand jury indicted Letitia James, the New York attorney general, for bank fraud on Thursday, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter, told the outlet that James was indicted in the
New York AG Letitia James indicted on mortgage fraud charge Read More »
A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s effort to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, granting Cook’s request for a preliminary injunction on Tuesday evening. In her ruling, Judge Jia Cobb said that Trump’s reasons for removing Cook did not meet the standard for sufficient cause, noting the alleged conduct occurred before her tenure as
Federal judge blocks Trump’s attempt to fire Lisa Cook Read More »
Compass has appointed Ethan Glass as its new chief legal officer. Glass — a veteran antitrust lawyer — previously led the global antitrust and competition practice at Cooley LLP and directed U.S. Department of Justice teams that investigated and sued multiple listing service (MLS) organizations over anticompetitive conduct. “I’m honored to join Compass, a company
Compass taps former NAR settlement attorney Ethan Glass as chief legal officer Read More »
Many in the real estate industry lauded President Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election as they anticipated his win would usher in a new wave of weaker antitrust scrutiny on an industry that had spent the past four years battling its fair share of antitrust suits. However, these hopes and dreams were put
Is the real estate industry getting its antitrust enforcement wish? Read More »