6 tips for avoiding lawsuits, legal fees and court in real estate
Inman
JUNE 18, 2025
Here are six common reasons lawsuits happen in real estate. If you want to avoid complicated litigation, follow these best practices from trainer Bernice Ross.
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Inman
JUNE 18, 2025
Here are six common reasons lawsuits happen in real estate. If you want to avoid complicated litigation, follow these best practices from trainer Bernice Ross.
Housing Wire
NOVEMBER 20, 2024
The balance request includes additional damages for legal fees and a jury trial. According to an amended complaint filed this week, Side alleges that Official Partners and its founders Tal and Oren Alexander committed multiple events of default on a $4.6 million promissory note Side extended in April.
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Housing Wire
DECEMBER 17, 2024
The company argues that the charges could incentivize the brothers to use the collateral to cover the steep costs of the legal fees to fight the charges, as well as the potential financial costs related to posting bail.
Housing Wire
OCTOBER 30, 2024
After yet another reversal in Court against CoStar, Move should drop its nonsensical case, focus on fixing its broken business model, and spend its legal fees on defending the class action lawsuit that accuses Realtor.com of selling fake leads to brokers.” Move and Realtor.com did not return requests for comment.
Housing Wire
NOVEMBER 8, 2024
The complaint states that Official Partners and the brothers agreed to pay the principal sum and interest on the loan, and that Side should be paid additional damages related to legal fees and a jury trial. Official Partners and the Alexander brothers have been summoned to court but have yet to file anything in the case.
Housing Wire
JUNE 16, 2025
million — in legal fees. In a court filing, plaintiffs’ attorneys described the $39 million agreement as “a prompt and substantial tangible recovery.” They said they will seek up to 30% of the settlement — approximately $11.7 Opendoor reported $1.2
Housing Wire
APRIL 16, 2025
Expenses such as office space, marketing, technology, insurance , legal fees, and staff salaries quickly add up. High overhead costs One of the biggest obstacles broker-owners face is the high cost of running a brokerage.
Housing Wire
NOVEMBER 21, 2024
Move should focus on fixing its broken business model and spend its legal fees on defending the class action lawsuit that accuses Realtor.com of selling fake leads to brokers.” “Agents love Homes.com, and its “your listing, your lead” model. Realtor.com’s approach of diverting leads is bad for agents, and bad for consumers.
Real Estate News
OCTOBER 29, 2024
A law professor filed a lengthy objection calling it “the worst of all possible worlds,” raising concerns about “chaos and frustration” as well as legal fees.
Housing Wire
JULY 16, 2024
The company said in a statement that the settlement was the “best course of action as it will save United Real Estate significant legal fees and allow the company to move forward.” The brokerage said it has also agreed to adhere to certain business practice changes, which are not being disclosed at this time.
Housing Wire
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
“We continue to assert that Fathom never participated in any conspiracy to inflate commissions and continue to believe that due to our flat-fee model, there was no incentive to join any such conspiracy.
Housing Wire
SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
These customers paid overdraft/insufficient funds fees or faced temporary account freezes. In addition, it faced legal fees due to 10 class-action lawsuits and at least two individual lawsuits. Mr. Cooper alleges that the incident made media headlines nationwide, damaging its reputation.
Housing Wire
MAY 27, 2025
Attorneys involved in the case are required to file any requests for legal fees and costs within 45 days. The settlement is part of a series of ongoing legal battles over real estate commissions. This is not the final approval.
Housing Wire
MARCH 28, 2024
According to the DOL, they must pay $35,000 in emotional damages and the legal fees of the two employees who reported consumer fraud concerns. A former senior vice president and two company managers were also held personally accountable in the case.
Housing Wire
JANUARY 3, 2024
While the firm has succeeded in trimming costs and reducing operating expenses , it is now finding itself in the crosshairs of multiple copycat commission lawsuits , which will lead to an increase in legal costs. For the changes to Reffkin’s compensation plan alone, Compass will pay $25,000 in legal fees, according to the SEC filing.
Housing Wire
FEBRUARY 29, 2024
This includes compensation for meal and rest periods that were allegedly unfulfilled, as well as expenses incurred by the class for their job duties and any legal fees that may arise from the case.
Housing Wire
JULY 17, 2024
Standardized forms can save consumers money on legal fees and other previously required elements. Following the commission policy changes at the multiple listing service (MLS) level, the DOJ now seeks to address the use of standardized forms designed by competing MLSs. But there is a risk that offers of compensation could disappear.
Housing Wire
SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
In addition, it resulted in legal fees due to 10 class actions and at least two individual lawsuits. Some customers faced overdrafts and/or insufficient funds fees on their bank accounts, while other customers’ depository institutions placed temporary account freezes.
Housing Wire
APRIL 24, 2024
“So, what the brokerages have done historically is they’ve made all their money from the 80% of agents who actually don’t transact more than two deals a year , because they pay desk fees, monthly fees, technology fees and legal fees.”
Realtor
JUNE 30, 2025
There is a corresponding level of complexity, impracticality, and ambiguities in the implementation of such laws, and they may therefore ultimately lead to increased legal fees, operational uncertainty, and disputes.” They add that while the transparency measures are well-intentioned, they might bring unintended side effects.
Housing Wire
OCTOBER 2, 2023
CoStar also seeks monetary damages stemming from the costs and legal fees resulting from the suit. Representation for Happening Technology, Wolcott, Mazur and the other defendants have yet to file a response to the complaint in court as of Monday afternoon.
Housing Wire
MARCH 1, 2024
But Parker agreed with Hild and the government in limiting ICBC’s claim for legal fees. Hild objected to ICBC’s proposed amount by saying the company did not receive a “fair market value” for the bonds they purchased, which Parker said is “irrelevant for the purposes of restitution.”
Housing Wire
DECEMBER 16, 2022
Having owner’s title insurance means the cost of defense and legal fees that typically would be the homeowner’s responsibility instead are paid by the title insurer. With title insurance, a claim is serious, and a loss means homeownership is threatened.
Housing Wire
APRIL 6, 2021
Full e-Closings reduce the use of paper, legal fees, mailing and courier costs. Officials said 11 federal home loan banks set servicing system requirements relating to eSignatures and eNote documentation in early 2020 – the culmination of three years of development.
Appraisal Buzz
MAY 6, 2024
Add to this rising replacement costs and legal fees, increased government regulation, inflation, and fraud, and companies are bleeding about a billion dollars every three weeks.
Housing Wire
APRIL 9, 2024
Modern-day redlining persists, and it’s costing lenders millions in legal fees. Recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken a strong stance on redlining, taking direct legal action against bad actors and thrusting the topic into the national spotlight. More recently, Patriot Bank paid $1.9
Housing Wire
APRIL 12, 2022
For example, direct costs could be additional staff time needed to complete applications and ensure compliance, legal fees, and other transactional costs associated with closing multiple funding sources. These bureaucratic barriers burden developers with direct and indirect costs.
Housing Wire
DECEMBER 13, 2024
Loan buybacks also harm investors by introducing volatility and diminishing returns.
Housing Wire
OCTOBER 13, 2022
When they talk about reducing closing costs for underserved communities, these people need title insurance more than anybody else because while $10,000 in legal fees may be doable for someone who owns a $4 million house, it is a struggle for someone who owns a $140,000 house.”.
Appraisal Buzz
AUGUST 23, 2024
In September 2021, Fendee recorded its lien against Gould for unpaid association assessments, fines, penalties, interest, and legal fees. In January 2021, Gould failed to make payments on the property and subsequently defaulted on the note. NDFHA initiated foreclosure on the property in January 2022 due to the 2021 default.
Realtor
JUNE 23, 2025
(Realtor.com) The property, which is available at $35,000 a month, has been at the center of major controversy since Spacey’s 2023 sexual assault trial, which left him near penniless due to the sky-high cost of legal fees. Realtor.com) Yet that process would not prove to be easy.
D Fritz Appraisals
JUNE 15, 2021
These can include: Additional legal fees- Since you will be closing on two mortgages, your fees may increase. Appraisal fees – To repay your incentive, you’ll need to have an appraisal done to work out the fair market price of your home. What else should you know?
Lamacchia Realty
AUGUST 28, 2024
Typical closing costs that occur are the following: mortgage origination fees, appraisal, legal fees, title examination fees, lender and owner title insurance, transfer taxes/stamp fees, recording fees, prepaid interest, pre-paid escrow, homeowners insurance, flood insurance, if applicable, and more.
Eppraisal
NOVEMBER 1, 2022
Leasing can sometimes take an entire month's rent while renewal often hovers around $200 as a fixed fee, assuming a monthly rent of $2,000. Maintenance and legal fees vary according to the job done. When you sign on with a management company, there may be a set-up fee for your account, as well.
Listing Spark
JULY 1, 2025
Failure to properly disclose known defects can result in lawsuits from buyers seeking damages for repair costs, legal fees, and sometimes punitive damages. Disclosure errors can result in lawsuits from buyers seeking repair costs, legal fees, and sometimes punitive damages.
Berkshire Hathaway
AUGUST 30, 2022
Besides the purchasing price, your budget should also include other costs such as renovations, structural and environmental assessments, downtime during transitions, legal fees, realty commissions, taxes, and contingencies. You should also consider the financing options available for your investment property.
Eppraisal
JULY 2, 2024
These challenges can range from financial losses due to property damage and legal fees to prolonged vacancies that delay the ability to sell or lease properties. Investors may need to navigate complex legal systems to reclaim their properties, often requiring the assistance of attorneys and incurring substantial legal fees.
Will Springer Realtor
MAY 7, 2024
Several factors can increase or decrease the adjusted basis, says McGuff.
Eppraisal
APRIL 7, 2023
The more you can keep your mind open and cooperate, the less money will be spent on legal fees. Not only will you need to decide what to do with your home, but you will have to divide furniture and other belongings in the home.
Appraisal Today
JUNE 7, 2024
Without general liability insurance an appraisal company may be responsible for paying large out-of-pocket expenses for things like: Legal fees, Compensation to injured parties Reputational harm, Property damage repairs Commercial property insurance This type of appraisal insurance keeps the physical aspects of your company safe.
Housing Wire
FEBRUARY 27, 2025
Side was granted a preliminary injunction to freeze the collateral on the loan, claiming that the brothers’ arrest and subsequent incarceration presents a risk that it could be liquidated to pay bail or legal fees. Alon Alexander worked for their fathers private security company called Kent Security.
Housing Wire
JANUARY 14, 2025
At the same time, Tal, Oren and Orens twin brother Alon were dealt a loss in the federal sex trafficking case.
PennyMac
AUGUST 14, 2024
Unexpected Expenses: Budget for possible repairs, inspections or legal fees that might arise during either transaction. (Note that an inspection may uncover mandatory repairs that must be completed in order for financing to be approved and the sale to go through.) The following financing options can help you manage these issues.
Realtor
JUNE 26, 2025
What began as a routine payment has turned into a drawn-out legal battle, with the Baldwins spending more than $10,000 in legal fees and facing foreclosure on their home for unpaid HOA dues. Their alleged crime? Parking a vehicle in their driveway.
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