A resilient labor market may finally be bowing under the pressure of back-and-forth tariffs, the now five-month-long war against Iran and inflationary pressure on wages, with the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reporting a decrease of 23,000 payrolls in July with downward revisions of previous months. Most sectors lost jobs, with healthcare a notable…
Democratic firebrand Elizabeth Warren is joining a handful of other lawmakers in calling out Compass and MRED for their private-listing centered partnership, penning a letter with accusations that their practices could “perpetuate” discrimination and make housing harder to access. First reported by Realtor.com®, the letter is the second time in about two weeks that federal…
Florida-based Real Brokerage, like many other big players in the industry, is seeking to grow through acquisition. Its deal to purchase REMAX, announced in the spring, was part of a larger trend of big brokerages consolidating in the face of a challenging market and an uncertain policy landscape. But unlike many of its rivals, Real…
Two state ballot initiatives in Missouri, focused on major changes to taxation and grassroots ballot measures, were both soundly defeated last night, as the state Realtor® association joined with the rival American Association of Realtors (ARA) to oppose the initiatives. Amendment 5 would have removed the state income tax but likely would have increased taxes…
Tennessee-based MLS Realtracs, two months after threatening to join Chicago-based MRED in cutting Zillow off from its listing feed, has entered into a new licensing agreement with the portal, which “ensures uninterrupted listing distribution” while ensuring Realtracs members continue to have access to Zillow tools. In a statement, Realtracs President and CEO Stuart White said…
Editor’s note: The COURT REPORT is RISMedia’s weekly look at current and upcoming lawsuits, investigations and other legal developments around real estate. Zillow class-action claims dismissed (for now) Judge James Robart of the federal Western District of Washington wrote in a 32-page order last week that a lawsuit filed by homebuyers against Zillow failed to…
Four retired federal judges are formally protesting the procedure by which the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and other big brokerages, including Anywhere, settled the buyer commission cases, saying that the practice will encourage “forum-shopping” by class-action defendants. In a 22-page letter, known as an amicus curiae brief, Diane Wood, David Coar, G. Patrick Murphy…
What sets journalism apart from the reporting done by influencers, commentators, pundits and PR professionals is not a journalism degree from a fancy university. It is not a better understanding of ethics, style and sourcing, or a public promise to always be fair. What makes journalism different is more about how it happens—and the systems…
A judge dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Zillow and a real estate brokerage, saying that lawyers representing homebuyers who used Zillow’s mortgage services or were referred to agents through the portal’s lead-selling service did not meet the legal standard to move forward. Plaintiffs had alleged that Zillow’s practices were deceptive, violating RESPA, racketeering and consumer…
The battle over private listings is playing out nearly everywhere—from statehouses and courthouses to brokerage offices and Wall Street boardrooms. As opponents and supporters of the practice make their cases, the debate looks vastly different depending on the venue. But one tool that is nearly always effective is data. And as the practice draws more…
With online research almost always the first step for buyers, it’s crucial to make sure your homes stand out and provide every bit of information that can create buzz. Read more.
