The Department of Justice (DOJ) wants a federal court in Philadelphia to take a close look at real estate agent commissions. Last Friday, the DOJ filed a statement of interest in the Davis homebuyer commission lawsuit filed in May 2024 against Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. The statement of interest was signed by Assistant Attorney […]
DOJ wants antitrust review of real estate commissions in Davis suit Read More »
The Supreme Court will not be taking up Real Estate Exchange (REX)’s appeal of a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in REX’s long-running antitrust suit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Zillow. The nation’s highest court denied REX’s rehearing request in a ruling on Monday. No reason was given for its refusal.
Supreme Court denies REX’s request to rehear petition Read More »
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Thursday that it is opening an investigation into the city of Boston’s housing policies, examining perceived discrimination against white residents. In a letter to Mayor Michelle Wu, Craig Trainor — HUD’s assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity — said city officials had prioritized people
CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) filed a motion last week as it seeks to intervene in the criminal case against former loan officer Christopher Gallo, and to vacate a November court order that blocked the company’s arbitration claim against the former employee. National Mortgage News first reported the legal action. According to the Dec. 3 filing, the
CrossCountry challenges court order in Gallo mortgage fraud case Read More »
A week after settling a lawsuit with rental property management company Greystar, it appears the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) involvement in the rental property management space is not waning. On Tuesday, the government regulator announced that it had sent letters to 13 property management software providers nationwide warning them that they may be violating the
FTC issues warnings to rental software firms on price transparency Read More »
Since the implementation of mandatory buyer broker agreements via the business practice changes outlined in the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) commission lawsuit settlement agreement, many have wondered what happens if a buyer breaches a contract. Jeff Lichtenstein, the broker-owner of Florida-based Echo Fine Properties, found out when his firm entered into arbitration with a
Florida brokerage wins $24k from buyer after buyers broker agreement breached Read More »
Rental pricing software firm RealPage has settled its lawsuit with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The two announced the proposed settlement, which is still subject to court approval on Monday. According to the settlement announcement, RealPage will not face any financial penalties. The company said the settlement is not an admission of liability and noted
RealPage, DOJ settle antitrust rental pricing lawsuit Read More »
Former East Polk County Association of Realtors (EPCAR) CEO Jennifer Garula-Mers has been charged with grand theft after she allegedly stole over $81,000 from the trade association, leaving it “all but broke,” according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). The Florida-based Realtor association’s former CEO was arrested on Friday by the PCSO, which had
Former local Realtor association CEO charged with grand theft Read More »
Compass’s hearing regarding its preliminary injunction motion in its antitrust lawsuit against Zillow concluded on Friday with closing arguments from both sides. The hearing, which is being held in New York City under the auspices of U.S. District Court Judge Jeanette Vargas, will be used to decide Compass’s motion seeking to block the enforcement of
Compass, Zillow deliver closing arguments in antitrust hearing Read More »
A federal judge has dismissed the criminal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor who brought the charges was unlawfully appointed and therefore lacked legal authority to present the case to a grand jury. Senior U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, sitting by designation in the Eastern District of Virginia,
Judge dismisses charges against NY AG Letitia James Read More »