Legal and Realtors - Property Appraisal Zone

Amid legal uncertainty, MLSs explore cooperative compensation workarounds

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Though these policies have been put in place to avoid future antitrust lawsuits, legal experts who spoke to HousingWire said they might not be enough. The National Association of Realtors also began allowing this under its Clear Cooperation policy in early October 2023.) Let’s break down the changes and the implications.

Legal

Legal Law Sellers Agents

Opinion: Are we facing the end of the Realtor marketplace?

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

I have spoken numerous times over the past 35 years about the fairness and efficiency of what I refer to as the Realtor marketplace , which is a combination of a multiple listing service with Realtor association oversight, supported by a majority of brokerage firms and sales agents.

Realtors

Realtors Brokerage Agents Buyers

Chuck E. Cheese, MLS listing books and the correct pronunciation of ‘Realtor’ were on the table during HousingWire’s commission lawsuit debate

Housing Wire

JANUARY 26, 2024

“I was sitting on my couch and I saw Michael on CNBC calling us a cartel, saying that we take money that doesn’t belong to us, and I was infuriated at that rhetoric and I was infuriated at what that infers about Realtors,” Lamacchia said. “It It dehumanizes Realtors and turns us into money-making machines.”

Realtors

Realtors Law Agents Real Estate

NAR runs out of liability insurance coverage: Sources

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Three sources, who have asked to remain anonymous, have confirmed to HousingWire that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has run out of liability insurance funds. NAR’s insurance policy is tapped out, and there are no funds available for REALTOR Associations and MLSs for legal defense costs,” Hahn wrote.

Insurance

Insurance Realtors Legal Design

Benefits Of Using a Realtor to Buy Land In 2023

Cleveland Appraisal Blog

APRIL 26, 2023

If you decide to use a realtor it can make the experience much smoother, much easier and ultimately far better for you as a buyer. Join us in this article as we discuss the many different benefits of a Ventura Realtor when buying land in 2023 and why you should consider this as an option before you take the long road all by yourself.

Realtors

Realtors Buyers Real Estate Agent Appraisal

NAR President addresses Realtors for first time since Sitzer verdict

Inman

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

In a five-minute video posted online Wednesday, NAR President Tracy Kasper urged Realtors to be transparent about commission negotiations as NAR gears up for a long legal battle ahead.

Realtors

Realtors Legal Buyers

Redfin, NAR targeted in latest commission lawsuit

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 28, 2024

The National Association of Realtors is facing yet another copycat commission lawsuit. The trade group’s legal woes have brought it back to California, where is already facing other commission lawsuits. Filed on Tuesday in U.S.

Realtors

Realtors Legal Agents Brokerage

NAR rival, MLSs reach a settlement agreement over pocket listings ban

Housing Wire

JANUARY 25, 2024

The PLS.com and three of the nation’s largest multiple listing services have reached a settlement agreement in their ongoing legal battle. The fourth defendant in the suit, the National Association of Realtors , is not included in the settlement agreement. The original lawsuit was dismissed in Feb.

Legal

Legal Real Estate Agents Realtors

NAR settles commission lawsuits for $418 million

Housing Wire

MARCH 15, 2024

The National Association of Realtors has agreed to pay $418 million in damages to settle the commission lawsuits. NAR’s legal counsel approved the settlement agreement early Friday morning. The story was first reported by the New York Times. It has yet to be filed in court.

Legal

Legal Agents Realtors Real Property

“Greetings from Missouri!” Millions are finding commission lawsuit postcards in the mail. Agents say it’s an opportunity

Housing Wire

MARCH 8, 2024

JND Legal Administration is in charge of distributing the mailers, emails and press releases. While it is not uncommon for the parties themselves to handle settlement administration work, legal experts told HousingWire that due to the size and scope of these lawsuits it is not surprising that a third-party administrator was brought in.

Agents

Agents Legal Realtors Clients

NAR alternative now has 3,800 members

Housing Wire

APRIL 10, 2024

R New York , a brokerage boasting approximately 800 agents, has joined the American Real Estate Association , an alternative to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), according to The Real Deal. I think it’s exactly what real estate agents need and what the industry has not been able to offer until now,” Berkin said in a statement.

Real Estate Agent

Real Estate Agent Real Estate Agents Legal

Kevin Sears pulls back the curtain on NAR’s commission lawsuit settlement

Housing Wire

APRIL 23, 2024

The plaintiffs kept moving the finish line and I was sad as president of the National Association of Realtors not to be able to protect everybody, but at the end of the day we realized we need to be able to protect the most people that we can, and in this proposed settlement, that was what we were able to do,” Sears said.

Realtors

Realtors Brokerage Agents Real Estate

NAR dismissed from pocket listing ban lawsuit

Housing Wire

JANUARY 29, 2024

Two days after The PLS.com and three of the nation’s largest multiple listing services notified the court they had reached a settlement in their ongoing legal battle, the listing site filed a motion to dismiss the only remaining defendant, the National Association of Realtors , without prejudice. Holcomb of U.S.

Legal

Legal Real Estate Agents Realtors

NAR asks for new trial in latest Sitzer/Burnett commission suit filings

Housing Wire

JANUARY 10, 2024

Like the corporate brokerage defendants in the Sitzer/Burnett commission lawsuit , the National Association of Realtors also filed post-trial motions. The motions were filed on Monday prior to the filing deadline, but they did not appear on the court docket until Tuesday evening.

Legal

Legal Law Realtors Brokerage

NAR called ‘arrogant’ as it makes national news again

Real Estate News

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

A Wall Street Journal story portrays the National Association of Realtors as inflexible in the face of legal challenges to the industry’s commission structure.

Legal

Legal Realtors

MLSs, local associations help members navigate changes tied to NAR settlement

Housing Wire

MARCH 21, 2024

While the news of the National Association of Realtors’ settlement agreement in the commission lawsuits may have created panic at some brokerages , local Realtor associations and Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) said they were not only anticipating the news but were prepared for it.

Realtors

Realtors Agents Real Estate Logistics

Remaining Batton defendants look to have suit dismissed

Housing Wire

APRIL 16, 2024

The second Batton suit was filed in November 2023, just days after the jury verdict in the Sitzer/Burnett suit was announced, and the defendants include Compass , eXp World Holdings , Redfin , Weichert Realtors, United Real Estate , Howard Hanna and Douglas Elliman.

Real Estate

Real Estate Realtors Law Legal

Fed advocates for change in the agent commission dispute

Housing Wire

MARCH 14, 2024

Legal experts told HousingWire that it is rare to see the Fed offer an opinion about an ongoing legal debate, as it typically does not want viewed as an influence on court decisions. Grochulski and Wang reached this conclusion after creating and analyzing a mathematical model of home searches and purchases in the U.S. housing market.

Agents

Agents Legal Real Estate Agent Buyers

NAR releases flood disclosure tracker as federal shutdown looms again

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) on Wednesday unveiled its state flood disclosure tracker tool , aiming to offer clarity and access to survey existing state disclosure requirements for flood insurance. Data from the Legal Research Center concluded that all 50 states and Washington, D.C., America’s 1.5

Legal

Legal Law Insurance Real Estate

Anywhere Real Estate settles buyer broker commission lawsuits

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

We believe the settlement will remove future uncertainty with respect to the upcoming trial, potential additional claims, and legal expense, enabling Anywhere to focus on and continue delivering what’s next for agents and franchisees.

Real Estate

Real Estate Buyers Legal Realtors

What if the commission is only $1? NAR’s legal team weighs in

Inman

MAY 17, 2023

At the Realtors Legislative Meetings, NAR attorney Charlie Lee stressed agents can't count on a "standard" commission and will have to negotiate compensation with clients and listing brokers.

Legal

Legal Realtors Clients Agents

HomeServices of America dismissed from Batton 1 commission case

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

HomeServices of America can preserve some of its legal war chest — for now, at least. billion Sitzer/Burnett verdict , in which the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Keller Williams and HomeServices affiliates were found to have conspired to inflate or stabilize commissions paid by sellers. “To Judge Andrea Wood of the U.S.

Brokerage

Brokerage Realtors Real Estate Law

California commission suit alleges collusion in the City of Angels

Housing Wire

JANUARY 18, 2024

The complaint names 35 entities as defendants, including the National Association of Realtors , local and national brokerages, MLSs and local Realtor associations. For his part, David Kissinger, the CEO of Glendale Realtors, stated that the suit is “meritless.”

Realtors

Realtors Brokerage Realty Real Estate

Douglas Elliman settles the commission lawsuits

Housing Wire

APRIL 29, 2024

The settlement agreement reflects Douglas Elliman’s commitment to mitigating future uncertainties and limiting legal costs, which will benefit our Company, agents and stockholders,” Howard M. The National Association of Realtors has also reached a nationwide settlement of the commission lawsuits.

Brokerage

Brokerage Agents Legal Realty

Sitzer plaintiffs expected to rest their case today

Housing Wire

OCTOBER 23, 2023

The first week of the much-anticipated Sitzer/Burn e tt class action buyer broker commission antitrust lawsuit concluded with the testimony of economic and legal experts. Schulman had previously testified on Thursday and was questioned by Michael Ketchmark, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs.

Legal

Legal Training Real Estate Realtors

Meet Kevin Sears, NAR’s latest president

Housing Wire

JANUARY 11, 2024

When Kevin Sears stepped into the role of National Association of Realtors president on Monday following Tracy Kasper’s resignation , he became the trade organization’s third president in a little over four months. In addition to serving his local and state Realtor organizations, Sears has served NAR in multiple roles over the years.

Realtors

Realtors Real Estate Legal Law

Illinois homebuyers file second commission lawsuit, and it may be the largest one yet

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 8, 2023

Known as Batton 2, after the lead plaintiff Mya Batton, the lawsuit accuses Compass , eXp World Holdings , Redfin , Weichert Realtors , United Real Estate , Howard Hanna and Douglas Elliman of conspiring to artificially inflate agent commissions, resulting in elevated home-buying costs.

Real Estate

Real Estate Realtors Sellers Agents

Seattle-based Coldwell Banker franchise ditches NAR

Inman

DECEMBER 1, 2023

The company is the latest of several to step away from the National Association of Realtors, which has suffered both a scandal and legal defeats in recent months.

Legal

Legal Realtors Brokerage

Maryland home seller files commission lawsuit in Missouri

Housing Wire

JANUARY 2, 2024

The National Association of Realtors will respond to this complaint in court.” We will continue to seek to protect those we represent and defend our position in the appropriate legal forums, including with this new case which is duplicative of the others previously filed,” the statement concluded.

Sellers

Sellers Brokerage Real Estate Realtors

How the commission lawsuits may prompt intervention from DOJ and regulators

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

The heightened consumer protection focus from government agencies, combined with the Department of Justice’s ongoing legal feud with the National Association of Realtors and its recent involvement in the Nosalek commission lawsuit , has many in the industry expecting that the DOJ will get involved in the Sitzer/Burnett suit, and potentially others.

Legal

Legal Real Estate Real Estate Agent Law

Judge dismisses antitrust claims against NAR, Zillow

Housing Wire

AUGUST 17, 2023

Though the National Association of Realtors is not out of the legal woods yet, the trade group does have reason to celebrate. In the order, Zilly noted that NAR’s No-Commingling Rule was optional and that about 29% of Realtor-affiliated MLSs had not adopted the rule, without any repercussions from NAR.

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Advertising Legal Brokerage Realtors

47 Texas real estate firms, associations get hit with second commission lawsuit

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 15, 2023

The suit also names a handful of local multiple listing services (MLSs), including Austin/Central Texas Realty Information Service, Central Texas Multiple Listing Service, Housing Realtors Information Service, and North Texas Real Estate Information Systems.

Real Estate

Real Estate Realtors Realty Real Estate Agent

Zillow moves to have REX suit dismissed

Housing Wire

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

After nearly 10 days of trial proceedings, Zillow is ready for its years-long legal battle with REX Real Estate to be over. A judgement as a matter of the law is permissible if there is no legally sufficient basis for a reasonable jury to find for the nonmoving party (in this instance, REX) on that issue.

Advertising

Advertising Legal Law Real Estate

Nevada real estate firms hit with second commission lawsuit

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

The complaint claims that the National Association of Realtors is the creator of this alleged conspiracy through its creation and enforcement of its Participation Rule. 16, 2020, and the present.

Real Estate

Real Estate Realtors Realty Brokerage

NAR will argue for ‘complete reversal’ of Sitzer | Burnett verdict

Inman

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

The National Association of Realtors' legal team on Monday blamed the ruling on the judge. The plaintiffs' attorney, meanwhile, said NAR hadn't "learned anything" from its "resounding defeat."

Legal

Legal Realtors

NAR president offers guidance on how agents can navigate commission lawsuit uncertainty

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

In her first video appearance since the jury verdict in the Sitzer/Burnett commission lawsuit , National Association of Realtors president Tracy Kasper told NAR members that she shares their disappointment in the decision.

Agents

Agents Legal Sellers Clients

Agent vs. REALTOR®: Why the Difference Matters

Lamacchia Realty

DECEMBER 18, 2023

AGENT VS. REALTOR: WHY THE DIFFERENCE MATTERS Often, we hear the terms “real estate agent” and “REALTOR ®” being used synonymously. What many consumers don’t realize is there are some key distinctions of a REALTOR® that will benefit them in their real estate endeavors. What is NAR?

Realtors

Realtors Agents Real Estate Agent Real Estate

Q2 AgentPulse survey: Low inventory is greatest challenge

Housing Wire

APRIL 15, 2024

When asked about the language they use to discuss how buyer and seller agent commissions are paid, some of the most common responses included stressing that commissions are and always have been negotiable, and that if the National Association of Realtors’ settlement is approved, some practices may change, but many things are currently unknown.

Inventory

Inventory Agents Real Estate Sellers

Which brokerages will thrive in a post-NAR settlement world?

Housing Wire

MARCH 20, 2024

While all types of brokerage models see different levels of success in the current real estate environment, industry experts believe this may change due to the terms of the recently negotiated settlement agreement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the commission lawsuits. Fewer agents?

Brokerage

Brokerage Agents Realtors Real Estate

Now unshackled, the DOJ casts a large shadow over the commission lawsuit settlement

Housing Wire

APRIL 11, 2024

Many real estate executives and analysts believe that the Department of Justice , now with the green light to reopen its investigation into the National Association of Realtors , will shake up the civil commission lawsuit settlement agreement. But legal experts are not as certain.

Real Estate

Real Estate Law Realtors Legal

Commission lawsuit is filed in Arizona. But NAR isn’t the target

Housing Wire

JANUARY 9, 2024

Like the other commission lawsuits, the Masiello suit takes aim at the National Association of Realtors’ Participation Rule, which requires listing brokers to make a blanket offer of compensation to the buyer’s broker in order to list a property on a Realtor-affiliated MLS.

Realty

Realty Realtors Real Estate Real Estate Agent

Moehrl commission lawsuit trial not expected until end of 2024

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Ethan Glass of Cooley, an attorney for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), took a different view and urged Wood to not set a date just yet, stating that it is “way premature” as the court has yet to even take motions for summary judgment, “let alone decide them.”

Legal

Legal Sellers Realtors Law

NAR president’s post-verdict message: Be transparent, trust appeals

Real Estate News

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

Tracey Kasper addressed Realtors in a video post, offering specific advice for working with buyers and sellers, and a look ahead to other legal actions.

Legal

Legal Realtors Sellers Buyers

Christie’s affiliate dismissed from commission lawsuit

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Like the other commission lawsuits , the Masiello suit takes aim at the National Association of Realtors’ Participation Rule, which requires listing brokers to make a blanket offer of compensation to the buyer’s broker in order to list a property on a Realtor-affiliated MLS.

Realty

Realty Realtors Real Estate Brokerage

Amid legal uncertainty, MLSs explore cooperative compensation workarounds

Opinion: Are we facing the end of the Realtor marketplace?

Trending Sources

Chuck E. Cheese, MLS listing books and the correct pronunciation of ‘Realtor’ were on the table during HousingWire’s commission lawsuit debate

NAR runs out of liability insurance coverage: Sources

Benefits Of Using a Realtor to Buy Land In 2023

NAR President addresses Realtors for first time since Sitzer verdict

Redfin, NAR targeted in latest commission lawsuit

NAR rival, MLSs reach a settlement agreement over pocket listings ban

NAR settles commission lawsuits for $418 million

“Greetings from Missouri!” Millions are finding commission lawsuit postcards in the mail. Agents say it’s an opportunity

NAR alternative now has 3,800 members

Kevin Sears pulls back the curtain on NAR’s commission lawsuit settlement

NAR dismissed from pocket listing ban lawsuit

NAR asks for new trial in latest Sitzer/Burnett commission suit filings

NAR called ‘arrogant’ as it makes national news again

MLSs, local associations help members navigate changes tied to NAR settlement

Remaining Batton defendants look to have suit dismissed

Fed advocates for change in the agent commission dispute

NAR releases flood disclosure tracker as federal shutdown looms again

Anywhere Real Estate settles buyer broker commission lawsuits

What if the commission is only $1? NAR’s legal team weighs in

HomeServices of America dismissed from Batton 1 commission case

California commission suit alleges collusion in the City of Angels

Douglas Elliman settles the commission lawsuits

Sitzer plaintiffs expected to rest their case today

Meet Kevin Sears, NAR’s latest president

Illinois homebuyers file second commission lawsuit, and it may be the largest one yet

Seattle-based Coldwell Banker franchise ditches NAR

Maryland home seller files commission lawsuit in Missouri

How the commission lawsuits may prompt intervention from DOJ and regulators

Judge dismisses antitrust claims against NAR, Zillow

47 Texas real estate firms, associations get hit with second commission lawsuit

Zillow moves to have REX suit dismissed

Nevada real estate firms hit with second commission lawsuit

NAR will argue for ‘complete reversal’ of Sitzer | Burnett verdict

NAR president offers guidance on how agents can navigate commission lawsuit uncertainty

Agent vs. REALTOR®: Why the Difference Matters

Q2 AgentPulse survey: Low inventory is greatest challenge

Which brokerages will thrive in a post-NAR settlement world?

Now unshackled, the DOJ casts a large shadow over the commission lawsuit settlement

Commission lawsuit is filed in Arizona. But NAR isn’t the target

Moehrl commission lawsuit trial not expected until end of 2024

NAR president’s post-verdict message: Be transparent, trust appeals

Christie’s affiliate dismissed from commission lawsuit

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