How far would you go to protect your buyer clients? The Download
The Consumer Federation of America, an industry watchdog, says that the buyer agreements you're depending on are woefully inadequate to properly protect homebuyers
by Christy Murdock Mar 1
Buyer agency contracts riddled with 'unfair' terms, CFA declares
The Consumer Federation of America, a watchdog group, examined 43 contracts from 37 states, most from state or local Realtor associations, and found practices it believes worthy of scrutiny
by Andrea V. Brambila Feb 28
NAR breaks silence on DOJ call to decouple commissions
Consumer watchdog CFA hails federal agency's proposal to ban sellers from making compensation offers as a 'major watershed' in promoting more competition in real estate
by Andrea V. Brambila Feb 23
49% of agents sold either 1 home or none at all in the past year: CFA
Agent 'glut' means part-timers are now the majority, leading to 'widespread incompetence and pressure to maintain high commission rates,' according to the Consumer Federation of America
'Marginal agents' with fewer sales now claim quarter of commissions
Agents with 5 or fewer sales a year took in an estimated 25-30% of all commission income in 3 disparate markets, according to an analysis of MLS data by the Consumer Federation of America
by Andrea V. Brambila Jul 10
Nearly two-thirds of brokerage sites aren't displaying commissions
Consumer Federation of America: Despite an NAR rule change, only Redfin displays buyer-agent compensation in virtually all of the major cities examined
by Andrea V. Brambila Feb 16
NAR-DOJ ruling divides agents over commission, pocket listing rules
Agents and brokers who spoke to Inman following the ruling in favor of NAR disagreed on who is 'overreaching' in the case and on whether changes to the controversial rules are necessary
NYC real estate commissions are all over the map: Consumer watchdog
In a report on Wednesday, the Consumer Federation of America found the median commissions listing agents offered to buyer agents ranged from 1% in parts of Brooklyn to 3% in Manhattan
by Andrea V. Brambila Oct 20
Commission study paid for by HomeServices comes under fire
The study argues that decoupling commissions would harm first-time, low-income, and minority buyers, but critics like the Consumer Federation of America say it's based on a faulty premise
by Andrea V. Brambila Jul 27
A piece of chocolate cake being removed from the whole
The Consumer Federation of America says lack of discounts for more expensive homes shows 'the structure of agent compensation is both inequitable and inefficient'
by Andrea V. Brambila Jul 20
Watchdog calls for ban on sellers offering buyer agent commissions
In a new report alleging the majority of commissions are nearly identical in 35 US cities, the Consumer Federation of America said offers to buyer agents should be legally prohibited
It's only business: Watchdog says Florida agents aren't loyal to clients
Most Florida agents are transaction brokers who don't have to disclose they have no obligation to look out for customers' best interests, according to the Consumer Federation of America
From hate speech to antitrust: The year in MLSs and associations
2021 came with Realtor misbehavior, rising legal and regulatory scrutiny and MLSs becoming tech investors after Zillow's acquisition of ShowingTime
by Andrea V. Brambila Dec 17
Court tosses REX antitrust suit against Oregon anti-rebate law
Judge said discount brokerage had made 'compelling arguments' that law hurts consumers and artificially inflates home prices, but that states are immune from federal antitrust laws
by Andrea V. Brambila Dec 10
'Highly uniform' commissions designed to thwart competition: study
The Consumer Federation of America pushes for an end to the sharing of commissions between listing and buyer brokers to spur price competition