Industry vet Nick Bailey joins T3 Sixty as chief real estate officer
The announcement comes about 6 months after Bailey was replaced as RE/MAX president by Amy Lessinger. At T3 Sixty, he will focus on business development and consulting roles
by Lillian Dickerson Aug 29
Inside Real Estate, RE/MAX, LLC extend software partnership
'These combined solutions will help elevate their consumer experience, unlock opportunities for greater agent productivity, and drive more efficiency for their franchisees' — IRE's Alissa Harper
by Craig C. Rowe Aug 22
Law firms seek $36.8M out of $110M settlement pool in Gibson
In a filing outlining costs and expenses, plaintiffs' attorney Michael Ketchmark estimates he has spent 7,000 hours on Gibson and other commission suits for work totaling $10.1M since 2019
by Taylor Anderson Aug 21
Landmark real estate commission rules officially go into effect today
The new rules are the result of the National Association of Realtors' major antitrust settlement. They're poised to change how agents are paid and how real estate consumers search for homes
by Jim Dalrymple II Aug 17
Gains and losses amid market shifts: Q2 2024 earnings
The Q2 earnings are in: From Zillow’s revenue boost to RE/MAX’s struggles, here's the breakdown of who's up and who's down
by Jessi Healey Aug 15
RE/MAX's Motto Mortgage office count is shrinking for first time
Franchise sales have slowed, and some existing franchisees have canceled their agreements, but Motto Franchising President Ward Morrison expects growth to resume when lending picks up
by Matt Carter Aug 12
RE/MAX agent count drops as revenue falls for 8 straight quarters
Franchisor reported its US agent count fell 6.3% during the second quarter as revenue fell 4.8% compared to a year earlier, according to its earnings report
by Taylor Anderson Aug 8
Quintavius Burdette on 'surviving' real estate and reality television
The high-volume RE/MAX real estate agent and former 'Survivor' contestant broke down how he manages his time to build a fast-growing real estate business at ICLV on Thursday
by Daniel Houston Aug 1
60-agent Stratus Real Estate Solutions team jumps to RE/MAX
Ernad Mehinovic, RE/MAX Stratus' broker-owner, believes the RE/MAX franchise will provide his new team the tools and resources to produce results
by Richelle Hammiel Jul 12
No HomeServices deal yet, months after settlement announcement
The franchisor and plaintiffs offered different reasons for why HomeServices has yet to finalize its commission settlement agreement after announcing it had reached one for $250M in April
More homebuyers sue to upend how real estate agents get paid
Howard Hanna is the latest brokerage to be hit with a buyer commission suit seeking class-action status
RE/MAX picks up hundreds of agents in Ontario, Canada
An independent brokerage and a former Century 21 franchise just switched affiliations to RE/MAX. The moves come during a time of intense competition for talent
by Jim Dalrymple II Jul 3
Sellers appeal Keller Williams, Anywhere, RE/MAX settlements
The homesellers object that the deals' payout is 'far too low' for the 'massive' number of injured parties and that franchisees should be required to implement practice changes
Interest rate waiting game: Should buyers purchase now or wait it out?
Is it better to buy now or wait it out in today's housing market? RE/MAX President Amy Lessinger lays out the factors that can help you help buyer clients decide
by Amy Lessinger Jun 29
Seller who balked at inadequate payout appeals commission deal
Pennsylvania homeseller Spring Way Center is seeking to overturn the court approval of deals reached with Anywhere, Keller Williams and RE/MAX to resolve antitrust commission suits
by Andrea V. Brambila Jun 11
NAR says settlement 'eliminates' steering. Plaintiffs issue warning
Plaintiffs' lawyer Michael Ketchmark vowed legal action to enforce deal: 'Anyone who thinks they can send a few emails or bury their head in the sand and avoid the application of the law is wrong'
Buyer appeals Keller Williams, Anywhere, RE/MAX settlements
The franchisors are not required to implement the business practice changes they agreed to until after the appeals process
RE/MAX announces more changes in its C-suite offices as COO resigns
Chief Operating Officer Serene Smith is leaving after 7 years in the role. Rob Fuchs has signed on as a new EVP. Changes follow departure of former CEO Nick Bailey, who exited in February
by Taylor Anderson Jun 4
Sitzer judge indicates his support for proposed NAR settlement
Judge Stephen R. Bough said payouts and practice changes in NAR's deal, added to those in the Keller Williams, Anywhere and RE/MAX settlements, represent 'substantial benefits' for sellers
by Andrea V. Brambila May 14
Judge approves Keller Williams, Anywhere, RE/MAX settlements
The ruling by Judge Stephen R. Bough on Thursday resolves antitrust claims in the Sitzer | Burnett, Moehrl and Nosalek commission cases. However, it won't quash other existing suits from buyers
Here's who sank and who soared in Q1 2024 earnings
Real estate’s Q1 earnings are in. From CoStar’s revenue surge to Opendoor’s slump, we have all of the highs and lows
by Jessi Healey May 9
Former RE/MAX Northwest CEO moves Austin team to Compass
Matt van Winkle served as chief executive officer of RE/MAX Northwest from 2011 until 2022 and will now lead a Compass team
by Ben Verde May 8
Buyers seek surprise injunction to halt commission suit settlements
The plaintiffs in a suit known as Batton 1 have filed for a temporary restraining order preventing the final approval of the Keller Williams, Anywhere and RE/MAX settlements
RE/MAX revenue drops for 7th consecutive quarter
Total revenue declined by 8.3% YOY to $78.3M during Q1 2024, besting analysts' expectations for it to fall by 9.5%. News comes one quarter into Amy Lessinger's tenure as president
Lesson Learned: Become an inventory expert
Find out how newlywed, outdoor enthusiast and former CPA Billy Davidson has launched his career — and what he plans to do next
by Troy Palmquist Apr 22
Jordan Cohen is as 'blue collar' as they come, but beloved by LA's elite
The 6-time No. 1 RE/MAX agent worldwide may deal with some of the loftiest stars, but he stays grounded in his work ethic and rarely deviates from a uniform of jeans and tennis shoes
by Lillian Dickerson Apr 17
Pulte objects to Sitzer | Burnett settlements: What's in it for me?
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
by Andrea V. Brambila Apr 17
Federal courts hand HomeServices a win (and a loss) in Sitzer | Burnett
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
by Andrea V. Brambila Apr 15
Lessinger: Bottom line, RE/MAX settlement was 'a great decision'
Inman caught up with RE/MAX LLC President Amy Lessinger to discuss her first few months on the job and her vision for the road ahead
by Ben Verde Apr 15
Recruiting War '24: For brokerages, headhunt pivots to cream of crop
Agent headcount — once a ubiquitous barometer of brokerage success — has faded, interviews and new Inman Intel Index results reveal. Instead, focus has shifted to 'the better and best agents'
by Jim Dalrymple II Apr 15
HomeServices tells court it's too early for $4.7B Sitzer ruling
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'
RE/MAX President: 'It's time to take back our No. 1 market share'
In her first keynote as RE/MAX president, Amy Lessinger addressed market headwinds, buyer-broker commissions, homebuyer agreements and plans to revive the franchisor's US operations
by Marian McPherson Mar 28
Moehrl trial shifts to early 2025 as HomeServices keeps skin in game
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
by Andrea V. Brambila Mar 28
Who's out: The brokerages not covered in the NAR settlement
More than 90 brokerages would not be covered under the $418M deal, though most have the option of buying in
by Andrea V. Brambila Mar 20
How commission chaos divided the real estate industry into 4 factions
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
by Taylor Anderson Mar 20
Sitzer | Burnett plaintiffs' attorneys ask for a third of settlement payout
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
Elephant in the room: What execs revealed about commissions in Q4
In the wake of legal settlements in 2 of the largest commission lawsuits, RE/MAX and Anywhere illuminated their paths forward to investors in Q4 earnings calls. Intel reads the tea leaves
by Daniel Houston Mar 6
Berkshire Hathaway Energy added to growing Gibson commission suit
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
The biggest wins, losses and news from Q4 2023 earnings
Real estate’s Q4 earnings calls have finally wrapped. From RE/MAX’s CEO exit to Airbnb’s $10B year, we’ve rounded up the top stories all in one place. Here’s what you might have missed
by Jessi Healey Feb 29
Commissions, objections, spring: Inman's Top 5 stories of the week
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
by Dani Vanderboegh Feb 23
RE/MAX CEO Nick Bailey exits as company revenue falls again in Q4
RE/MAX announced it was making changes to its executive team after revenue fell for a sixth consecutive quarter to end 2023. Amy Lessinger will succeed Bailey as president
by Taylor Anderson Feb 22
NAR: Commission suit insurance coverage ran out 'some time ago'
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
by Andrea V. Brambila Feb 21
HomeServices dropped from long-running buyer commission lawsuit
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
by Andrea V. Brambila Feb 21
Inman's 2024 Global Real Estate Influencers revealed
Broker and reality television star Ryan Serhant headlines an all-star roster of the industry's most compelling voices for the second-annual Inman Global Real Estate Influencers program
by Lillian Dickerson Feb 15
CoStar, Zillow, RE/MAX among 118 firms sued by law enforcement
Atlas Data Privacy Corp. alleges the companies disclosed home addresses and unpublished home phone numbers for judges, police officers, prosecutors and their families
by Andrea V. Brambila Feb 14
RE/MAX's Motto Mortgage makes Entrepreneur's 'Franchise 500' list
'Mortgage brokerage in a box' offering makes Entrepreneur's list of top franchise opportunities for a 5th consecutive year, despite challenging conditions for mortgage lenders
by Matt Carter Feb 12
Utah homeseller files commission lawsuit against NAR, 13 others
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
by Taylor Anderson Feb 12
Realty ONE Group, RE/MAX, Keller Williams rank on Franchise500 list
8 brokerages were honored on 'Entrepreneur' magazine's Franchise500 list. The 45-year-old list ranks the best franchises across several industries, including finance, technology and retail
by Marian McPherson Feb 7
NAR president: The DOJ is a 'bigger problem' than $1.8B Sitzer verdict
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'
HomeServices wants US Supreme Court to weigh Sitzer | Burnett case
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
Attorney lays out how real estate can survive the commission suits
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
by Andrea V. Brambila Jan 26
We’re on the cusp of something big: Zillow's Samuelson on AI
Although who's responsible for the absence of a true end-to-end remains up for debate, 4 real estate and proptech executives found common ground on the fact that AI is 'what's next' for the industry
by Craig C. Rowe Jan 25
RE/MAX CEO examines alternative paths to homeownership
RE/MAX CEO Nick Bailey says it's time to change the narrative on homeownership through education and solutions-oriented service
by Nick Bailey Jan 10
What the biggest names in real estate really thought of 2023
As real estate dives into the new year, 14 of the industry's top leaders looked back on mortgage rates, slow sales, antitrust suits, NAR drama and other headline-making stories from 2023
by Marian McPherson Jan 2
How well do you remember 2023's biggest real estate stories?
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
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 29
From Sitzer to Moehrl, 2023 was the year of commission confusion
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
by Andrea V. Brambila Dec 28
Seattle-based Coldwell Banker franchise ditches NAR
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
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 1
NAR argues against setting trial date in Moehrl commission suit
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
by Andrea V. Brambila Nov 29
Signs of a buyer's market emerge as homeseller concessions return
More than a third of all home sales featured a concession in the past 3 months, according to new data and agents who told Inman that they're beginning to see signs of a buyer's market unfold
by Ben Verde Nov 27
Anywhere, RE/MAX commission lawsuit settlements move forward
A judge has granted preliminary approval of the franchisers' multimillion dollar settlements in Sitzer | Burnett, Moehrl and Nosalek. Final approval may happen next year
by Jim Dalrymple II Nov 20
Sitzer | Burnett defendants bulk up lawyer bench to prep for appeal
The National Association of Realtors and Keller Williams have hired former US solicitors general to help them beat back the multibillion-dollar verdict
by Andrea V. Brambila Nov 17
RE/MAX parent appoints former DISH Network exec as CEO
Erik Carlson comes to RE/MAX Holdings in the wake of Adam Contos' departure. He also joins the company at a tumultuous time for the real estate industry
by Jim Dalrymple II Nov 13
Commission lawsuits are piling up. Keep track of them all right here
In the wake of the Sitzer | Burnett verdict, the number of bombshell lawsuits has rapidly multiplied — putting more pressure than ever on real estate's status quo. Here's a rundown of all the cases
by Jim Dalrymple II Nov 10
New commission lawsuit targets REBNY and 26 companies in NYC
Homeseller Monty March filed suit in the Southern District of New York Wednesday, alleging REBNY rules in Manhattan kept commissions high and violated state and federal antitrust laws
by Taylor Anderson Nov 10
Mother of all commission suits filed in Illinois, this time by homebuyers
'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
Sitzer | Burnett plaintiffs' attorneys in talks with Department of Justice
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
RE/MAX sees revenue decline for 5th consecutive quarter
Amidst difficult market conditions, the real estate franchisor's total revenue was down 8.7% YOY to $81.2M, coming shy of analysts' expectations. The company also suffered a net loss of $59.5M
Will Q3 earnings keep real estate mired in a 'Groundhog Day' loop?
Real estate companies have been trapped in a repeating cycle of bad financial quarters. Will this latest round of earnings break the loop, or is the industry doomed to relive it?
by Jim Dalrymple II Nov 1
Sitzer | Burnett closing arguments wrap as judgment day approaches
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
by Andrea V. Brambila Oct 31
Gary Keller takes stand in person as Sitzer | Burnett verdict nears
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
Anywhere, RE/MAX agree to settle Nosalek commission lawsuit
New legal filings propose that MLS PIN class members from the Nosalek lawsuit be included in the 'substantive terms' of the Sitzer/Burnett and Moehrl settlements with Anywhere and RE/MAX
by Lillian Dickerson Oct 25
Sitzer | Burnett judge refuses defendants' request for mistrial
HomeServices of America attorneys filed a motion Wednesday requesting a mistrial in the Sitzer | Burnett trial, saying a video submitted a day earlier jeopardizes its chances for a fair trial
Sitzer | Burnett: Live updates from the buyer-agent commission trial
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
by Inman Oct 16
Full court press: What to know as the Sitzer | Burnett trial unfolds
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
by Andrea V. Brambila Oct 16