Newly Amended Dual Agency Disclosure Law: Much Ado About Nothing
On October 24, the District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General (D.C. AG) announced a $500,000 settlement with a title insurance company accused of an illegal kickback scheme. The D.C. AG alleged the company offered...more
A new Ohio law effective today drastically changes how Ohio real estate licensees represent clients, including when a prospective buyer wants to view a residential property. Licensees are now obligated to enter into a written...more
New rules from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), effective August 17, 2024, are reshaping real estate transactions. Stemming from a federal court ruling in October 2023, these changes aim to increase transparency...more
The real estate industry is experiencing significant changes following the implementation of new National Association of Realtors (NAR) rules, effective August 17, 2024. These changes, prompted by a federal court ruling in...more
On September 27, 2024, the Government of Alberta announced that the fee increases foreshadowed in their spring budget will take effect on October 20, 2024, when the amendments to the Land Titles Act and the Tariff of Fees...more
On September 17, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that a preliminary injunction order against affiliated Florida-based realty companies (the defendants) was issued by the Superior Court of California for the...more
When it comes to registered title, we take comfort in it being right—its record, indefeasible. The land titles registry is the root of our confidence in the state of title. Registered instruments are, by virtue of their being...more
Buying a home is commonly an individual’s most significant purchase. A buyer will often turn to a real estate agent for guidance during the home buying process, particularly because historically the seller pays the buyer’s...more
In October 2023, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) was found liable by a federal jury of making home sellers pay excessive commission fees. Following a settlement between the NAR and the federal government, many new...more
District of Columbia AG Brian Schwalb has settled with Allied Title & Escrow, LLC, KVS Title, LLC, Union Settlements, LLC, and Modern Settlements, LLC, along with affiliate entities to resolve an investigation into...more
Major changes hit the U.S. housing market this past month that may lead to lower housing prices across the nation. These changes stem from a settlement agreement entered into by the National Association of Realtors (“NAR”),...more
The District of Columbia (DC) Office of the Attorney General (OAG) recently entered into settlements with four title companies in connection with title company joint ventures that included the companies and real estate agents...more
In early July 2024, Governor Murphy signed Bill S3192/A4454, also known as the “Real Estate Consumer Protection Enhancement Act” (the “Act”), into law. The Act incorporates certain additional protections for consumers...more
In 2019, home sellers brought a series of class-action lawsuits against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several national real estate brokerages, alleging that the defendants conspired in anticompetitive...more
Join us for the Good News in September as we celebrate the leadership and achievements within Greater Cincinnati's real estate community. We will spotlight the positive impact of real estate initiatives that are shaping our...more
The New Jersey Supreme Court recently held that an agreement between a real estate salesperson (i.e., a realtor) and a real estate broker designating the salesperson as an independent contractor is dispositive in determining...more
Wellness is important for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that real estate agents and employees spend so much time at work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, full-time employees in the...more
Once an agreement of purchase and sale for real estate is signed, the path to closing and the rules of closing are firmly engrained, both in the terms of the contract and in principles of law and equity. You don’t get to...more
Suppose we compare how orchestra violinists are paid to how residential real estate agents are paid. In contrast to violinists, who must spend a fixed amount of time in rehearsals and concerts, real estate agents receive the...more
The U.S. Department of Labor’s new rules on determining whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee went into effect March 11, 2024. The changes reflect the current political climate strongly favoring...more
In our latest roundup, bad loans outweigh loss reserves at top six U.S. banks, the FCC announces a proposed rule aimed at “bulk billing,” office-to-multifamily conversion projects grow in major metro cities, and more!...more
The National Association of Realtors (NAR), which represents more than 1 million Realtors, has agreed to eliminate its standard 6%sales commissions with home sellers. By reaching a $418 million settlement with home sellers in...more
In the world of real estate, ensuring the safety and security of homes during the selling process is of paramount importance. One of the key challenges facing Ohio Realtors is the potential risk of unauthorized access to...more
KEY FACTS OF REAL ESTATE ACQUISITIONS UNDER UKRAINIAN LAW - І. Types and specifics of real estate in Ukraine - The main types of real estate in Ukraine are the following: • plots of land; • other objects...more
Real estate brokerage franchisor Keller Williams has agreed to a settle claims related to the ongoing broker commission antitrust litigation. Burnett v. National Ass’n of Realtors, Case No. 4:19-CV-00332 (W.D. Mo.), which has...more