The largest of the commission copycat lawsuits following Burnett v. National Association of REALTORS®, the Gibson suit—which challenges industry commission practices and seeks damages on behalf of homesellers claiming they were charged unfairly excessive fees—added yet another layer to the growing legal battle over commissions. Crye-Leike, one of the larger independent brokerages in the U.S.,…
Editor’s Note: The Disruptor Roundup analyzes companies implementing unconventional models. Low crime rate, good schools, walkability score, political affiliation. The list goes on when it comes to what buyers consider before signing the deed on a house. A new real estate platform, Oyssey, is looking to give buyers all the information they need in making…
At the New England CEO Summit today, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle W. Bowman warned against cutting rates too often, and advocated against overregulation for community banks. For the housing sector, Bowman’s reluctance to lower rates may prolong higher mortgage rates, but her advocacy for community banks could favor first-time homebuyers who rely on these smaller…
Judge Patti B. Saris, presiding over the Nosalek v. MLS PIN lawsuit in Boston, said on January 27 that she is ready to move forward with the case, scheduling a preliminary hearing for April 4. Saris expressed her frustrations with the Department of Justice (DOJ), as the settlement has been pending since the summer of…
In December, total existing-home sales—completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops—rose 2.2%, up from November’s rate of 4.15 million to 4.24 million. Year-over-year, December’s sales increased 9.3%, the largest year-over-year gain since June 2021. National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun commented that job and wage gains, along with increased…
Bill Pulte, CEO of private equity firm Pulte Capital Partners, has been nominated to be the next director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). President Donald Trump announced the nomination on his Truth Social account. “Bill needs no formal introduction to the Great Citizens of our Country, because they have seen, and many have…
In a significant decision for the real estate and home design industries, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the use of floor plans in resale listings constitutes fair use under copyright law. Issued on Jan. 14, 2025, the ruling brings clarity to a long-standing dispute between Charles James, a home designer, and several…
Housing affordability remains a main concern—not just for individuals looking to buy their first home, but for the broader economy, influencing everything from labor markets to community stability. This concern took center stage at a high-profile event at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on January 14 where economists, policymakers and housing advocates led…
When it comes to the housing market, in 2025, the only thing we should expect is the unexpected. At least that’s what Dr. Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS, had to say about the state of the housing market during RISMedia’s Real Estate’s Rocking in the New Year virtual event last week. With today’s…
A recent lawsuit filed in Louisiana is taking direct aim at the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the Louisiana REALTORS® Association and several local groups, alleging antitrust violations, discriminatory practices and restrictive tying arrangements. The case, filed by four Louisiana agents and brokers, echoes similar concerns about equity and competition within the real estate industry…
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