Judge Stephen R. Bough ruled that the sweeping changes NAR agreed to were 'fair, reasonable and adequate' and set a final approval hearing for November
Whether it's commission lawsuit settlements or life in general that's causing your stress, broker-owner Pam Blair offers insight to help you come out stronger on the other side
Sitzer | Burnett plaintiffs on Friday asked the court to preliminarily approve the proposed deal. Brokerages and MLSs that were left out initially will have to take action by June 18 to be covered
Anxiety around commissions leaped to the top of the worries brokerage leaders face, pushing down concerns around inventory and competition, according to Inman Intel Index survey results
Frustrated and anxious about economic conditions? Trainer Bernice Ross writes that, instead of waiting for change, agents can move forward with confidence by following these strategies
There's been a heapin' helpin' of new developments in the commission lawsuits. Here's how to pivot and be ready for whatever comes next
Nick Schlekeway looks at the consumer, governmental and industry forces that led to the post-settlement landscape and the opportunities they present for those willing to move forward
Opinion
Don't get defensive and burn bridges when you talk about recent settlements. Jimmy Burgess shares talking points to educate sellers and the public about the state of your business
Need a pep talk? Coach Darryl Davis offers a little wisdom to help you remember your value and navigate the difficult waters of client service
Clients believe their agents bring value, and they're willing to pay for it, according to a survey of 3,000 employed US residents conducted by Intel and Dig Insights. But many consumers embrace the idea of negotiating a lower commission — and perhaps exploring new models
US homebuilder PulteGroup said it should have been provided with a plan to distribute claims so that it can estimate its recovery amount. But that document doesn't appear to exist
There's a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding out there. Here are the wildest things you've heard about commissions so far
Two major real estate market transformations defined the past 50 years, writes CEO Patrick Kilner. Are we ready for whatever comes next?
The US Supreme Court denied the real estate franchisor's request for consideration on Monday, but the plaintiffs won't be able to lay $4.7B in damages at HomeServices' feet — at least not yet
Since April 10, brokerage websites across the country have been dark as BoomTown scrambles to resolve service disruptions. The outage has already impacted the bottom line, agents told Inman
Opinion
Forget the infographics, lists and pie charts, broker Teresa Boardman writes. Instead, tell a compelling story about how you've helped your clients
A provision in NAR's settlement barring listing agents from offering buyer agents compensation is 'largely symbolic,' USC professor Jordan Barry said Friday at a University of Minnesota conference
A panel of judges considering whether to consolidate real estate commission lawsuits into one cited the recent NAR settlement as a reason to deny the request
If you want to build the listing side of your business in the wake of the NAR settlement, Jimmy Burgess has 30 practical, actionable, doable strategies tailor-made for this moment
With the addition, roughly 800 agents will boost Jason Haber and Mauricio Umansky's American Real Estate Association membership by nearly 30% to about 3,800 members
This is a moment in history when NAREB and our leaders must stand up for justice and equality, writes Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers
A $418M settlement in March by NAR caught agents and leaders by surprise. In a mixed bag of responses to the latest Intel Index poll, they shared their early reactions and existential fears
We asked you to share with us the commission questions your clients have and how you're explaining the lawsuit fallout
James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson discuss the shifting landscape of agent compensation following the proposed NAR settlement with Ed Zorn, VP and general counsel for CRMLS
The company referenced a pending legal settlement that could change the way agents and brokerages make money, emphasizing the importance of communicating value to consumers
The Real Brokerage agreed to change business operations as part of its proposed settlement agreement in Umpa v. NAR
Getting distracted by remote possibilities in the face of uncertainty keeps you from focusing on the facts, writes Mike DelPrete
Opinion
As brokerages pivot to specialized training meant to empower buyer agents, new-home sales still provide plenty of opportunities for intrepid Realtors, development specialist Hana Cha writes
Real estate maven Barbara Corcoran tells the industry to calm down following the furor over NAR's commission lawsuit settlement
Looking for a quick catch-up on the buzziest stories of the week? Here’s Inman Top 5, the most essential stories, according to Inman readers
Consumers have been given a front-row seat to the chaos unfolding in our industry, Rachael Hite writes. As the situation unravels, who will make lemonade and who will feast on sour grapes?
The Berkshire Hathaway affiliate says final judgment in the case shouldn't come before settlements are finalized, a process the franchisor does not expect to be 'uncontroversial'
Consumer misconceptions post-NAR settlement are wild. Jimmy Burgess talks to Keeping Current Matters CEO David Childers on how to communicate with today's buyers and sellers
The antitrust case from homebuyer and homeseller Hao Zhe Wang alleges MLS and broker services are illegally tied
CEO Sean Frank writes that an unintended consequence of new MLS changes is that real estate transactions become less transparent to the buyers and sellers they're meant to serve
Author and trainer Bernice Ross and Verl Workman, co-founder of Workman Success Systems, discuss the strategies top-producing teams are leaning into now
Some think the National Association of Realtors' $418M settlement will prompt more homebuyers to transact without agents. Inman asked industry professionals how they'll handle that situation
Opinion
Mega team leader Carl Medford points to several massive shifts that have caused the current commission crisis and the path he sees forward
Follow this step-by-step listing presentation blueprint from Jimmy Burgess, and your listing appointments will be like Chick-fil-A on a Sunday — closed
Corcoran told Yahoo! Finance Wednesday she doesn't believe the effects of the settlement will be as earth-shattering as many make them out to be, but that 'the confusion it's causing is amazing'
The move comes 2 weeks after the National Association of Realtors signaled a $418M settlement of commission lawsuits. T3 Sixty said it will bring the ranking back when litigation is resolved
Opinion
After the National Association of Realtors' proposed settlement, Coldwell Banker Realty president and CEO Kamini Lane offers 3 tips for agents amid commission compression chaos
The plaintiffs and defendants in the antitrust commission case indicated they would be available for a 3- to 4-week trial beginning Jan. 21, 2025, according to court filings earlier this week
Opinion
Explore how to transcend discounting and enhance value in response to the NAR settlement with strategic consultant Chris Pollinger
Opinion
Women in real estate are already earning about 60% less than men. Rachael Hite looks at the latest wage gap data and explores how commission compression could widen that gap
The critical difference between survival and downfall during turbulent times, including the commission lawsuits, is effective crisis management, Keller Williams' Julia Lashay Isreal writes
The Agency's Ben Belack shares his thoughts on NAR settlement news, the current industry landscape and the American Real Estate Association ahead of Season 2 of the reality TV show
Opinion
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty President and CEO Budge Huskey corrects the record on commissions — and the potential impact of the NAR settlement on buyers, sellers and agents
Robby Braun, partner at Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, addresses 'misconceptions' about the NAR deal's impact and says Realtors who try to ignore the changes 'will get left behind'
Leaders at many brokerages say a lack of serious agents with a full-time commitment is a drag on the industry. Intel asks whether this might change in the wake of the latest settlements
Looking for a quick catch-up on the buzziest stories of the week? Here’s Inman Top 5, the most essential stories, according to Inman readers
Real estate professionals respond in the aftermath of NAR's big commission lawsuit settlement and Compass' brand new one
The news comes 1 week after NAR's whopping $418M settlement was announced. Compass also agreed to make some minor changes to its business practices as part of the settlement
Redfin Next is available to agents in 7 major markets across the South, Midwest and East Coast. Redfin execs say it will help them navigate market 'ups and downs,' including NAR's settlement
ChatGPT answered questions about the value a real estate agent has and about how real estate commissions work. Do you agree with its answers?
Kaplan’s new Buyer Agency Professional course aims to help buyer agents negotiate the ways they are compensated
More than 90 brokerages would not be covered under the $418M deal, though most have the option of buying in
Agents who see the changes coming and adapt to the new reality by cementing their relationships will be in a position to seize the day as market winds shift, mega-team leader Carl Medford writes
Most brokerage leaders in February still expected to be better-staffed this time next year, the Intel Index found. But that optimism was weakening even before NAR's $418M settlement Friday
The verdict in the monumental Sitzer | Burnett commission case in Missouri — plus oversight by federal regulators — has splintered the industry as it scrambles to figure out how to move forward
Opinion
The Inman Intel Index goes beyond sentiment and trends by tapping into the real estate industry's most engaged community. Add your voice to the industry's most ambitious monthly survey today
Sitzer | Burnett plaintiffs asked the court to order the Berkshire Hathaway affiliate to pay most of the nearly $5.4B damages award after NAR, Keller Williams, Anywhere and RE/MAX settle
Since Friday, real estate agents have been arguing on the video sharing platform that the recent commission suit settlement is likely to hurt both homebuyers and the agents who represent them
If the proposed settlement is approved, multiple listing services will be forced to nix the buyer commission field by July. Now is the time to prepare, writes author and trainer Bernice Ross
If homebuyers are no longer willing to pay full commissions to agents, what happens to lender programs that incentivize consumers to work with partner real estate agents?
Most agents say they've heard from competitor brokerages in recent weeks. Intel examines what's on their mind as they decide whether to stay — or bolt
NAR would agree not to create rules that allow listing agents to set compensation for buyer brokers as part of the settlement. HomeServices of America not included in the deal
After 5 years and nearly 100K hours of work, the law firms are asking a federal court for $82M of the proposed settlements to be paid by Anywhere, Keller Williams and RE/MAX
Two consumers filed the class-action suit in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Unlike similar cases, the latest seeks to represent buyers and sellers — and only names Baird & Warner as a defendant
Howard Hanna had been one of several defendants in a case known as Batton 2, which was brought by homebuyers and has a much larger scope than some better-known cases
Amended complaint alleges Warren Buffett's company abused the trust inspired by his name to encourage homesellers to use HomeServices and further alleged price-fixing conspiracy
Defendant MLS PIN and plaintiffs Jennifer Nosalek, Randy Hirschorn and Tracey Hirschorn asked a district court judge for permission to respond to a statement of interest the DOJ filed in the case
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
California resident Andrea Freedlund is suing on behalf of homesellers who paid a buyer agent in the 4 years before Redfin announced it was leaving NAR, according to a suit filed in federal court
Approximately 28% of brokerage leaders believe 'recruiting and retaining talent' will be their most challenging responsibility 1 year from now, according to results from the Inman Intel Index survey
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
There are no funds under NAR's policy available to pay for the cost of defending the Realtor associations nor their multiple listing services which have been sued, according to the trade group
If you're rethinking your buyer consultation and implementing a buyer representation agreement, team leader Carl Medford shares what you need to know to explain the change to your clients
The court dismissed a federal antitrust claim in the case known as Batton 1, but allowed state-law claims to proceed, partially due to the argument that commissions are baked into home prices
More than 1 in 4 agents say their brokerage has changed its policy on buyer agency agreements, and fallout from commission suits has already taken a toll, according to Inman Intel Index results
Angela Boykin is suing over a home sale from 2022. Her case is the 2nd such recent lawsuit out of Nevada and adds to the growing number of cases that have followed the Sitzer | Burnett verdict
The Department of Justice said a proposed settlement in the major antitrust lawsuit might itself violate federal law and said buyers should negotiate their broker's commission directly
The trade group will not take on pet projects for the duration of NAR President Kevin Sears' tenure, which is slated to last until November 2025, he told NAR's Board of Directors Wednesday morning
As the real estate landscape changes thanks to commission-related lawsuits, Carl Medford writes, pressure is being levied on buyer agents to demonstrate their value to potential clients
The complaint — one of nearly two dozen targeting real estate's commission-sharing structure — alleges 'most' buyer agents will steer clients away from listings that offer lower commission
The Sotheby's Concierge Auctions founder and CEO shared more about how the recent auction of 'La Dune' went down, as well as key reasons why luxury agents turn to the brand to get a deal done
In remarks made in Boston that were later posted online, new NAR President Kevin Sears declared business will change for Realtors — whether they embrace it or have it 'forced down our throats'
Despite ongoing commission lawsuits, agents are more concerned about the health of the real estate pie than the size of their own slice, results of the latest Inman Intel Index survey show
The franchisor filed a petition to the Supreme Court requesting the review of an earlier appeals court ruling barring it from enforcing arbitration agreements signed by seller clients
Under the proposed deal, Keller Williams must inform franchisees that offers of compensation are not required. It also agreed to revise training materials and end rules requiring agents to join NAR
In a video that abruptly vanished from NAR's website Wednesday before resurfacing, Wright said the group does not set commissions — a practice it isn't currently being accused of — and welcomed competition from AREA
Hale has been with HAR since the 1970s, racking up a long list of accomplishments and awards along the way. René Galvan will succeed him as president and CEO
NAR was dismissed without paying any money or making any rule changes, but The PLS says it can reopen the case if they don't come to a deal
At Inman Connect, Ed Zorn proposed mandating buyer representation agreements, killing the MLS compensation field, adding a concession field, and creating a fund to pay out settlements
James Dwiggins argued at Inman Connect New York that commission lawsuits and pressure from the feds is going to bring about change in the real estate industry
Gael Fierro co-wrote a movie for Amazon Prime and ran a business selling cannelés before he decided to sue over the sale of his home in Los Angeles
The Inman Intel Index goes beyond sentiment and trends by tapping into the real estate industry's most engaged community. Add your voice to the industry's most ambitious monthly survey today
Homesellers allege 36 Realtor association, brokerage, and multiple listing service defendants conspired to inflate buyer broker commissions in violation of state and federal antitrust laws
A federal court judge denied a request from the defendants to suspend the case pending the outcome of post-trial motions after the Sitzer | Burnett verdict
Las Vegas resident Nathaniel Whaley alleges the National Association of Realtors, the Northern Nevada Regional MLS and state and local Realtor groups conspired to inflate broker commissions
If you want to be a top-performing agent in 2024 — one who stays for the long haul — prioritize skill development to best adapt to the changing market, coach Darryl Davis writes
A Chicago homeowner is the latest to allege NAR policies amounted to a conspiracy to keep commissions high for buyers, resulting in overpayment on the home purchase
Class-action complaints filed by Joseph Masiello and Robert Friedman join chorus of litigation nationwide objecting to trade group rules requiring sellers to offer compensation to buyer brokers
Ahead of Inman Connect New York this month, the NextHome CEO said NAR serves an important function, but needs a major fix to deal with challenges related to leadership and commission suits
Agent, attorney, coach and yoga instructor Renee Fishman joins Bernice Ross to discuss the problems and opportunities provided by the ongoing commission debate
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
Opinion
Transparency and communication are more important than ever before. Darryl Davis offers essential talking points for your next commission conversation with sellers
To formulate this list of how-tos to start the year off right, Inman's Service Editor Dani Vanderboegh rounded up the top advice and most-read contributors of 2023.
The case is the latest of numerous antitrust lawsuits that have emerged in the wake of the October verdict in Sitzer | Burnett. It names NAR, Compass, Redfin and others as defendants
Scandals, lawsuits, technology and more dominated the headlines in what turned out to be one of real estate's most eventful years in recent memory
Sitzer | Burnett and its verdict cast a long shadow that will extend into 2024 and potentially shake up the real estate industry. But it wasn't the only lawsuit with commissions in the crosshairs
The National Association of Realtors, Keller Williams and HomeServices of America have all asked a federal judge in Illinois to rule in their favor before the Moehrl case goes to trial
Brokerages have been scrambling to get agents up to speed on commission lawsuits — but they may already be in deeper than broker-owners realize, Inman's Director of Research tells Intel
Keller Williams Head of Inclusion and Belonging Julia Lashay Israel shares her top picks for certifications, designations and resources that are perfect for the new year
Opinion
Forget Cross pens and Starbucks gift cards. According to mega-team leader Carl Medford, here's what's really on the wishlist of every real estate pro right now
NAR President Tracy Kasper appeared on CNBC's 'The Exchange' Thursday to discuss mortgage rates, affordability and the potential harm of changes to the current commission structure
The new suit is the second in Texas since the Sitzer | Burnett verdict, and is one of a growing number of antitrust cases challenging the way agents get paid
According to broker Joseph Santini, buyer agreements are good for buyers and good for buyer agents. Learn more about these valuable tools and how to get them signed
Christina Grace, a California resident who sold her home in Marin County, filed suit Friday against NAR, Compass and Keller Williams, among others, claiming she paid $50K in commissions
In separate lawsuits, homesellers allege the defendants — including Florida Realtors and West Penn MLS — conspired to enforce rules that inflated commissions on the sale of their homes
The trade group's attorney says NAR is 'still analyzing' the consequences of the Sitzer | Burnett verdict. Judge Andrea R. Wood says Moehrl is a 'different case' that will likely go to trial in Q4 2024
At a Friday board meeting, a member of NAR's board of directors predicted 'less authority' in 2024 as the embattled trade group's growing Executive Committee shoulders more responsibility
The National Association of Realtors and Keller Williams have hired former US solicitors general to help them beat back the multibillion-dollar verdict
At a forum for reps of 50 large brokerage firms, The Realty Alliance CEO Craig Cheatham asked why the nearly 1.6M-member trade group can't use its political influence for an 'existential threat'
The National Association of Realtors laid out its arguments to overturn the ruling Tuesday. The plaintiffs' attorney said if the trade group doesn't change, it risks an injunction and DOJ wrath
A homebuilder and holding company filed the case Monday. But unlike other suits against NAR, this one lists the Texas Association of Realtors and other local organizations as defendants
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'
A new commission lawsuit filed Monday seeking class-action status alleges sellers encountered 'illogical, harmful, irrational and anticompetitive effects' of NAR's cooperative compensation rule
'Batton 2,' exponentially larger in scope than Sitzer | Burnett and the Moehrl commission suits, was filed last week in Illinois and takes aim at many of the defendants in another suit called Gibson
Disrupting the National Association of Realtors' use of multiple listing services as a 'vehicle for higher commissions' is at the center of talks, lawyer Michael Ketchmark told Inman exclusively
In a final push on Monday, attorneys for real estate franchisors and the National Association of Realtors argued that homesellers in the case failed to prove a conspiracy to inflate commissions
Keller Williams co-founder Gary Keller provided lengthy testimony Friday as the defense wrapped up a case to be decided by a Kansas City jury later this week
Redfin will still classify agents as employees but, beginning next year, will transition those in some California markets to an all-commission-based pay program
Plaintiffs’ attorney Michael Ketchmark played a video of a Tom Ferry interview with Allan Dalton of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices that drew objections and threatened to derail proceedings
Big names, heated exchanges and the emergence of homeseller plaintiffs on the stand dominated the first week of the Sitzer | Burnett commission trial in Kansas City, Missouri
Although you need to be careful with ChatGPT, it can be a great resource for idea generation. We asked how to handle commission questions and got some surprisingly solid suggestions
The plaintiffs in a class action antitrust suit challenging the industry’s commission structure took to the stand to make the case that the practice of homesellers paying buyer agents is 'unfair'
On Day 2 of witness testimony Wednesday, attorney Michael Ketchmark narrowed in on training materials and presentation slides he alleged violated antitrust policies held by the defendants
The study by a trio of researchers analyzed hundreds of thousands of listings and found that those offering lower commissions to buyers' agents received less attention and took longer to sell
As the commission trial begins, the Kansas City courtroom saw opening arguments and testimony from industry leaders Keller, Goldberg and HomeServices of America CEO Gino Blefari
The National Association of Realtors, Keller Williams, HomeServices and its subsidiaries BHH Affiliates and HSF Affiliates submitted their trial briefs ahead of the antitrust trial in Kansas City
The long-awaited Sitzer|Burnett commission trial is underway in Kansas City, Missouri, and Inman is covering it all live as it unfolds. Check back early and often for news, views, schedules and more
The allegations, the high-profile witnesses slated to testify and all the evidence the jury will and won't see — it's all here as the long-awaited Sitzer | Burnett commission trial unfolds this week
An attorney for the Sitzer/Burnett homeseller plaintiffs calls the change a 'stunning admission of guilt' on the eve of a class-action trial set to start Oct. 16
The homeseller plaintiffs agreed to a 2-month extension of deadlines related to a proposed deal with MLS PIN after the federal agency asked for time to assess the deal's 'competitive impact'
The Department of Justice's antitrust division on Thursday requested a 2-month deadline extension to review a proposed deal between homesellers and MLS PIN, a broker-owned multiple listing service
A federal judge struck down charges that defendants conspired to 'fix,' 'maintain' and 'increase' prices for buyer brokerage services, but allowed claims they sought to 'control' prices to proceed
The deal resolves claims in both the Sitzer and Moehrl antitrust cases. The franchisor agreed to change its business practices, including 'no longer forcing homesellers to pay buyer’s agents'
Judge Patti Saris preliminarily approved the deal after settlement fund restructuring. The case could provide a sneak peek at broader changes pending bombshell commission suit outcomes
Now that Anywhere and RE/MAX have tapped the first dominoes, here's what you think will happen with the bombshell commission lawsuits
Realtors are cancelling memberships, hounding local boards and organizing petition drives days after NAR resisted calls Thursday to censure Bob Goldberg for his handling of misconduct claims
Real estate professionals are preparing for painful changes and the upending of the status quo if courts rule in favor of plaintiffs in 2 key suits, a survey on commissions conducted by Intel shows
The National Association of Realtors filed 4 requests in the US District Court in Western Missouri on Thursday involving commission rule changes, government investigations and discrimination
The antitrust enforcer argued NAR's pocket listing and commission rules need 'to be assessed on their merits' on whether they cost American homebuyers billions of dollars a year
Judge Patti Saris, of the US District Court in Massachusetts, said she 'loved' the commission rule changes the deal includes, but didn't think the litigation fund was fair for plaintiffs
At Inman CEO Connect, Russ Cofano, James Dwiggins and Greg Robertson debated the changes that agents and brokers may see as a result of homeseller lawsuits and government interference
At Inman Connect Las Vegas, real estate broker and attorney Kendall Bonner urged the industry to be proactive instead of waiting to be legally 'bullied' into change
At Inman Connect Las Vegas, real estate strategist Mike DelPrete explained the 'unfair advantage' of the low-fee business models and how agents are the ultimate solution
So you've decided to join us at Inman Connect Las Vegas. Bravo! Here's a day-by-day breakdown of the conference along with some tidbits to get the most out of your week in Sin City
The ruling against HomeServices of America in federal court on Wednesday sets the stage for a likely Oct. 16 start for the first of 2 highly anticipated bombshell commission trials later this year
In a 'friend of the court' brief, the Chamber said the government should have to keep its promise to not investigate the National Association of Realtors' commission and pocket listing policies
Starting Aug. 9, the nation's 2nd-largest MLS will allow listing brokers to offer buyer brokers nothing in compensation, according to an announcement from Bright
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
Those agents who are still consistently working the fundamentals are the ones seeing success, and they'll also be the ones who have clients when we hit Q4
If the parties don't settle, expect a lengthy trial for the Moehrl homesellers' case against NAR, Anywhere, Keller Williams, RE/MAX and HomeServices of America
Brokerage Engine will leverage Payload’s flexible set of APIs to automate a range of crucial financial functions, according to an announcement exclusively sent to Inman
A federal appeals court on Wednesday denied a request from NAR, Anywhere, Keller Williams, RE/MAX and HomeServices of America to overturn class certification in the Moehrl lawsuit
Find out how agent migration patterns can offer significant insight into the future of real estate brokerage growth
From voting to raise membership dues to requiring fair housing training to learning best practices for artificial intelligence, Realtors are steering their own fate in the industry
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
Some real estate agents are earning tons in extra splits from their brokerages, the real estate advisor told Intel. Everything seems great — until they're told to pay it back in full