Intense debate over bundled real estate services

Editor's note: This two-part story includes highlights from an Inman News Special Report, "Controlling the real estate transaction: Who's in charge?" The full 40-page report is available free to Inman News members. To become a member, visit the member sign-up page. (See Part 1: Real estate question gets complex.) The hullabaloo over bundled real estate services fuels a full spectrum of emotions among industry professionals–from contempt to contentment and everything in between. In an informal survey of Inman News readers conducted in June, about 35.9 percent of respondents said they believe bundled services will change the point-of-purchase debate in the real estate industry, while 31.3 percent said it won't and the remainder said they weren't sure or had other comments. Dozens of participants elaborated on their choice with written comments. One survey participant said, "Bundled services are an ideal way to handle transactions if and only if service is the key. At p...