Industry News

A former NAR committee member called traditional compensation practices “the ultimate form of restraint of trade,” claiming that NAR looked the other way.

Defendants presented opening arguments during week one of the Sitzer/Burnett trial. An industry lawyer sees two additional ways they might prevail in court.

On Day 5 of the Sitzer/Burnett trial, plaintiffs focused on steering, high fees in the U.S., and how buyer agent pay is handled differently in other countries.

On Day 4 of the Sitzer/Burnett trial, an expert witness for the plaintiffs said the current commissions system is a "clear case" of collusion and price fixing.

Materials painted 6% commissions as the goal, plaintiffs’ attorneys argued, while industry witnesses defended it as just a number, and negotiable.

Pre-recorded depositions from Bob Goldberg, Gino Blefari and Gary Keller included tense exchanges about buyer-broker commissions.

On day two of the Sitzer/Burnett trial, the plaintiffs presented opening arguments, while the defense said conspiracy claims are "conjecture."

Lawyers jostled for position and weeded out ineligible jurors, including many who are members of the plaintiff class (Missouri home sellers).

Starting Oct. 16, NAR and other defendants will present their case to a jury that could decide how agent commissions are paid.

Zillow, Windermere affirm their commitment to the association, while a top brokerage leader calls out “dysfunctionality” and a disconnect from member needs.

Greg Schwartz, CEO of online lender Tomo and former head of Zillow’s Premier Agent business, sees some relief ahead for consumers — and a reckoning for agents.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is suing the company over faulty loan data. In August, Freedom was fined by the CFPB for illegal kickbacks.

Protect your clients — and your reputation — by learning how to detect and prevent financial scams.

A Homes.com exec told Real Estate News that its “playbook for growth is working,” but some competitors and outside observers see the data differently.

A recent survey found that investor optimism increased in the past six months, though the high cost of financing is slowing investment purchases.

This is the second time the settlement agreement reached by MLS PIN in the Massachusetts buyer-broker commissions lawsuit has come under fire.

A jury decided that Zillow did not harm The Real Estate Exchange, known as REX, by moving its listings to a secondary tab with less traffic.

Industry heavyweights — and former rivals — Spencer Rascoff and Glenn Kelman addressed some of the toughest issues facing real estate in a lively discussion.

Housing market impacts could include mortgage delays, declining consumer confidence and — perhaps — a small dip in mortgage rates.

The tech giant announced its latest effort to promote housing, focused specifically on homebuyers.