What haunts MLS leaders? Politics, commissions and their own demise
At the Council of Multiple Listing Services' annual conference, CEOs discussed being ready for the possible death of the commission structure and why MLSs should be run as businesses
by Andrea V. Brambila Sep 30
Opendoor cutting prices in bid to get surplus inventory off books
The iBuying giant dramatically boosted home sales during the second quarter of 2022, generating $4.2B in revenue, but ended up back in the red with $54M in losses
by Matt Carter Aug 4
Zillow and Opendoor team up to provide cash offers to consumers
The partnership pairs 2 of the most polarizing firms in the housing business, and comes less than a year after Zillow began ending its own iBuying efforts
by Jim Dalrymple II Aug 4
FTC fines Opendoor $62M for allegedly 'tricking' consumers
Regulators with the Federal Trade Commission on Monday accused the iBuyer of 'cheating' and 'tricking' consumers. Opendoor disagrees with the allegations but has agreed to settle the case
by Jim Dalrymple II Aug 2
Location, location, location: Real estate will continue to be an antitrust hotspot in 2022
Opinion
With billions in commissions at stake, all three branches of government are focused on the real estate industry. Here are the legal wranglings at the heart of their scrutiny
by Dylan Carson AND Alicia Batts Feb 2
Douglas Elliman to go public in spinoff from Vector Group
If approved by the FTC and Vector Group's board, Douglas Elliman's shares would trade under the ticker 'DOUG' on the New York Stock Exchange
Brad Inman challenges agents to embrace the future: 'This is your time'
Inman founder Brad Inman shares how venture capitalists and tech giants have changed the industry and what agents can do to stay relevant in the future
by Marian McPherson Oct 27
'This is not a blip': Antitrust experts warn RE leaders to work with DOJ
The Council of Multiple Listing Services panelists warned real estate leaders and MLS members, 'It's better to be part of the process ... than having the rules written for you'
Zillow wraps ShowingTime deal as feds continue FTC investigation
The $500M deal was first announced in February, and prompted a heated debate among ShowingTime users. Despite the deal closing, the FTC is reportedly still seeking information from the companies
by Jim Dalrymple II Oct 1
Opendoor and FTC still at odds over iBuyer's advertising
Regulator threatened 'enforcement action' related to allegedly 'inaccurate' or 'inadequately substantiated' advertising claims if settlement talks fail
by Andrea V. Brambila Sep 27
Lawmakers urge investigation into Zillow acquisition of ShowingTime
Rep. Ken Buck and Sen. Mike Lee, ranking members of the House and Senate antitrust subcommittees, have asked the FTC to 'closely examine competition issues' in real estate
by Andrea V. Brambila Aug 16
Dueling NAR and REX op-eds hint that DOJ will target commissions
National Association of Realtors: 'The Administration has publicly signaled a lack of understanding about the MLS system and the associated commission structure'
by Andrea V. Brambila Jul 22
Here's the timeline of the NAR-DOJ legal battle
The US Department of Justice just backed out of an antitrust settlement with the National Association of Realtors, suggesting more legal wrangling is on its way
by Jim Dalrymple II Jul 6
With new FTC chair, expect greater scrutiny on the real estate industry
Lina Khan's appointment at the Federal Trade Commission last week appears to indicate the Biden administration plans to take an aggressive approach to antitrust regulation
by Andrea V. Brambila Jun 29
Watchdog group asks FTC to review Quicken Loans mortgage ads
Ads promise 'No Registration, No Login' but the website requires you to do both
by Matt Carter May 19