Jesse Williams

Today, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) announced it is eliminating a total of 61 positions as CEO Nykia Wright—who has held the role on a permanent basis for just over six months—continues her transformation of the organization in the wake of multiple turbulent years. “The industry is changing, and it is our responsibility to…

After essentially putting off a decision on the Clear Cooperation Policy for several months despite significant pressure, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) yesterday offered what appeared to be its final decision, toeing a narrow line by affirming the controversial MLS rule while creating a new category to allow “flexibility” for keeping listings off consumer-facing…

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) today officially announced what appears to be its final decision related to the controversial Clear Cooperation Policy, preserving the rule without change while introducing a new listing category, which NAR claims “will exist in conjunction with CCP and other MLS policies to provide sellers and their agents more options…

The COURT REPORT is RISMedia’s weekly look at current and upcoming lawsuits, investigations and other legal developments around real estate. “Mediation” talks begin in eXp sexual assault case  In a high-stakes lawsuit involving allegations of drugging, sexual assaults and coverups at mega-brokerage eXp, parties are sparring over the scheduling of a trial while also revealing…

Judge Wendy Beetlestone of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has become the second federal judge to affirm the legal foundation of buyer-filed commission lawsuits, as she earlier this week rejected Howard Hanna’s request to throw out a lawsuit against the company on technical grounds. While noting that she had yet to consider arguments regarding whether…

Back in November, as a judge considered final approval of the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) landmark settlement agreement, NAR attorney Ethan Glass warned of the possibility that REALTORS® could be put in a position where complying with the terms of that deal could conflict with other laws. That has proved prescient, as earlier this…

Attorneys for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division yesterday submitted their latest response to a proposed settlement in the long-running MLS PIN commission lawsuit, reiterating that law enforcement will continue to oppose a system where sellers “delegate initial price setting” for buyer agents. In a supplemental brief filed in the Federal District to Massachusetts…

Home prices are generally continuing to climb, according to nearly all national datasets and analyses, with no strong indication of an impending dip. But as most real estate professionals know, the devil is often in the details, with local or more specific insights often a better barometer of the market, and more useful in guiding…

After a March 13 Wall Street Journal report that Compass is in “advanced” talks to acquire HomeServices, Gino Blefari, president and CEO of the Berkshire Hathaway-owned mega franchisor, sent out a statement to the HomeServices community categorically denying the report, calling it “misinformation.” “I want to confirm to you that there are no discussions, negotiations…

Private equity executive Bill Pulte, whose family founded and runs one of the largest homebuilders in the country, was officially confirmed by the Senate on March 13 to head up the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), by a vote of 56 to 43. In separate statements, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the National Association…