The Dance in DC on Commissions in Residential Real Estate
Release Date: 06/13/2018
CoStar Acquires Matterport: The Photography Wars
Industry Relations
How will CoStar’s recent buyout of Matterport affect the industry? In this episode Rob and Greg dive into the recent acquisition of Matterport by CoStar and how Rob and Greg predicted this years ago. How will Zillow respond? And how will other industry giants such as Redfin be affected by this huge announcement? They also talk about Realtor.com's CEO, Damian Eales, and his plans to expand the portal's offerings. But beyond the competition between these portals lies an important conversation about raising the bar in the industry and eliminating low-quality agents for the betterment of...
info_outline
Unpacking Pulte Group's Objection to the NAR Settlement
Industry Relations
Join Rob and Greg in this episode as they talk about the recent objection filed by Pulte Homes to the NAR settlements. Are they valid and will they make an impact? Also, what is Real Estate 3.0? Greg expands on what it means and how it will shift the roles of agents. Rob shares his insights from a recent panel he attended and what the potential for state regulators intervening in commission decoupling could mean for the industry. They also take a bit of a Q & A during this special livestream episode. #NARsettlement #RealEstate3.0 Listen to the Industry Relations Podcast, available on all...
info_outline
NAR’s Continuing Legal Battles
Industry Relations
Not one week goes by without some huge industry news surrounding NAR. In this episode, Rob ang Greg discuss the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals' reversal in the NAR vs. US lawsuit, paving way for a new probe in the wake of the pending commission lawsuit settlement. Rob and Greg explore the antitrust lawsuit's history, implications of the reversal, and how it aligns with their predictions for the industry and future of NAR. Greg talks about the NAR-DOJ agreement and potential political impacts, while Rob focuses on the long-term effects. The dynamic duo stress on focusing on industry...
info_outline
The NAR Settlement Part 2
Industry Relations
Did you catch the sparks fly on the last episode of Industry Relations? In case you missed it, last week Rob and Greg got into a verbal fistfight. Made up. Became friends again. And are now ready for round 2. Rob and Greg continue their NAR settlement talk, post verbal tussle. Exploring NAR's $418 million settlement, they talk about the association's PR challenges, trust issues, and internal rifts. Questioning leadership and missed PR opportunities, they call for urgent reform. Facing a crucial crossroads, the industry risks becoming a societal scapegoat. Rob and Greg urge...
info_outline
The NAR Settlement: The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown
Industry Relations
What will the recent NAR settlement mean for the future of real estate, technology, and industry navigation? In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg discuss the outcomes of the recent NAR settlement. They provide insights on the agreement, exploring their reactions and perspectives on the settlement's details. From provisions to backlash, they discuss public perception, legal frameworks, and implications for agents, brokers, and the market. During the discussion, Rob and Greg also disagree with one another at times, and fight like a married couple. After this episode discussing the...
info_outline
A Multi-Million Dollar Settlement: Unpacking NAR's Landmark Deal with the DOJ
Industry Relations
Tune in to this must-listen episode of *Industry Relations* for an incisive breakdown of the NAR's landmark settlement, its ramifications, and the many lingering questions that promise to shape the discourse in real estate circles for years to come. Whether you're a real estate professional, an industry watcher, or just keen on understanding the forces shaping one of the economy's key sectors, this episode is for you. In a pivotal episode of Industry Relations, hosts Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson dive deep into a recent seismic shift within the real estate horizon—The National Association of...
info_outline
Is the Real Estate Industry Getting Their Mojo Back?
Industry Relations
What does the future hold for real estate commissions? On this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg discuss the Clarity event and the legal updates regarding real estate commissions. They explore the concept of concessions and the issue of steering in the industry, the need for improved buyer agency agreements and buyer presentations and the defiance of industry professionals and the potential impact of government regulations on real estate commissions. Rob and Greg also cover various topics related to the real estate industry, including the myth of the Australian model, the reality of...
info_outline
Does NAR have a competence problem?
Industry Relations
Who bears the brunt of legal defense costs? What financial toll does this uncertainty cast on associations? On this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg dive into the pressing issues faced by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and its profound impact on local associations, MLSs and brokers. The insurance dilemma that has recently come to light, along with the unclear communication and lack of transparency from NAR is concerning to put it mildly. And the conversation doesn't stop at insurance mishaps. Rob and Greg confront the broader issue plaguing the real estate industry - a...
info_outline
DOJ Drops Statement of Interest in the Nosalek Case
Industry Relations
What impact will the Department of Justice's stance on the MLS settlement have on the future of buying and selling houses? In this important episode of "Industry Relations," Rob and Greg talk about a big message from the Department of Justice (DOJ) about the MLS settlement. The DOJ seems to want the court to say no to the settlement. Selling agents might not make as much money as before, and buyers agents might need to show why they're worth their commission more than ever. It's time to start thinking about how we can prepare for change and innovate new approaches in serving buyers and seller....
info_outline
Super Bowl Ripples
Industry Relations
ultimate cost warrant the spotlight? On this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg discuss Homes.com's momentous marketing push running an ad during the most watched event in America – the Super Bowl. And its potential ripple effects on industry giants like Zillow. Rob and Greg also revisit the real estate industry's current legal battles. The buzz around the Keller Williams settlement and with consolidation on the horizon, how will ongoing lawsuits reshape the future landscape for real estate professionals? Listen to the Industry Relations Podcast, available on all podcast...
info_outline
1-2 cha-cha-cha. 3-4 cha-cha-cha. DOJ. NAR. FTC. MLS.
There was a dance of sorts held in DC on Tuesday, June 5, when the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission hosted a ‘workshop’ to discuss competition in residential real estate. But while NAR and industry players prepared for the fox trot, bringing their best arguments for maintaining the status quo around data access, the DOJ put on a little salsa music and shifted the discussion to commission transparency and coupling.
Rob and Greg are reversing roles this week, as Greg spins conspiracy theories regarding the government’s intentions and the potential consequences of its intervention in the real estate industry. They speak to organized real estate’s nothing-to-see-here approach to the discussion and review the range of views shared in the Developments in Real Estate Fee and Service Models panel.
Greg explains why decoupling would effectively end the MLS, and Rob covers the paper prepared by the National Bureau of Economic Research suggesting conflicts of interest due to coupling. They address who would benefit if buy-side commissions went away, how such changes would impact portals like Zillow, and the surprising number of industry players who support decoupling. Listen in to understand why Rob and Greg are calling for NAR or CMLS to move on this and start leading the dance to develop solutions around commission transparency.
What’s Discussed:
Organized real estate’s nothing-to-see-here stance at the DOJ/FTC workshop
The Developments in Real Estate Fee and Service Models panel
- Reps from Realogy, Purplebricks, Glass House & TRELORA
Greg’s take that the industry was caught off guard
- Prepared for data access and transparency
- Discussion of commissions, decoupling
How decoupling cooperation and compensation would end the MLS
The NBER paperon realtor commissions and conflicts of interest
The theory that real estate commissions are high due to coupling
Rob’s concern that the DOJ has already made up its mind
Why the industry needs to move on commission transparency
Why real estate is the only industry in which the seller pays the buyer’s rep
How the potential changes might impact portals like Zillow
Who would benefit if buy-side commissions went away
The leadership opportunity for NAR, CMLS to address DOJ/FTC concerns
The surprising number of people in support of commission decoupling
Public response to the previous NAR budget transparency discussion
Resources:
DOJ Residential Real Estate Workshop
Rob’s Blog on the DOJ/FTC Workshop
Brian Boero’s Buzz Saw Blog Post
‘Conflicts of Interest and the Realtor Commission Puzzle’
Our Sponsors
Connect with Rob and Greg:
Email [email protected]