Commissions rebound following post-settlement decline
Two recent studies found that real estate agent commission rates fell after industry practice changes took effect, but they have largely recovered.
February 5, 2025
Dave Gallagher
Director, News Reporting
Dave's journalism career spans 24 years covering business, the economy and real estate in Northwest Washington. He's also a numbers nerd, examining data to spot emerging trends in industries. Having started his career as a sports writer, he's a lifelong baseball and soccer fan and recently discovered pickleball. He grew up in Yosemite National Park and earned his journalism degree at Humboldt State University in northern California.
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- Tariff pause with Canada, Mexico welcomed by buildersThe 25% tariffs were expected to increase the cost of home construction materials. Set to take effect on Feb. 4, they have now been paused for 30 days.February 4, 2025
- CFPB freezes activity after acting director takes helmU.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent puts the brakes on rule-making and enforcement as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau faces defunding.February 3, 2025
- New lawsuit sweeps up 8 brokerages and MLSsThe companies were among the remaining entities not covered by NAR’s deal. They quickly agreed to settle, paying more than $10.5 million in combined damages.January 28, 2025
- 2 brokerages seek settlement approval; Nosalek hearing scheduledBaird & Warner and Real Estate One will add another $3.7 million to the fund, while the MLS PIN case moves forward after an extended pause.January 27, 2025
- New telemarketing rules on hold after appeals court rulingLess stringent requirements for consumer contact will stay in place for a year, the FCC says, as it delays TCPA changes mandating one-to-one consent.January 27, 2025
- A strong finish for new home sales in DecemberSales were up at the end of 2024, and for the full year, increased by 2.5% over 2023 — in contrast to existing home sales, which fell short of 2023 numbers.January 27, 2025
- Late-year gains fail to push home sales above 2023 levelsDespite an uptick in December, existing home sales ended the year at just over 4 million, the lowest rate since 1995.January 24, 2025
- Easing rents could mean fewer buyers this springWith affordability improving for apartment dwellers — and mortgage rates and home prices still high — renters may continue to delay home purchases.January 23, 2025
- Mortgage rates dip for the first time in 6 weeksThe 30-year fixed rate averaged just under 7% this week, according to Freddie Mac, but some economists are already revising their 2025 forecasts upward.January 23, 2025
- KW's Mark Willis trades CEO role for new leadership positionAfter 14 months at the helm, Willis is moving into a new C-level role focused on teaching and developing leaders within the company.January 22, 2025
- Trump ‘relief’ order short on specifics, but builders are hopefulA Jan. 20 memo targeting cost-of-living and housing issues includes regulatory cuts — a win for builders — but inflation and labor shortages could boost prices.January 21, 2025
- Millions of young (and not-so-young) adults still live at homeFacing affordability challenges, the share of 25- to 34-year-olds living with parents has risen after trending down during the pandemic.January 21, 2025
- Why one broker took on NAR: ‘They just keep overreaching’A Texas lawsuit is about more than membership rules, it’s about forcing NAR’s hand. “The louder we roar, the more likely we are to actually make them change.”January 21, 2025
- eXp, Weichert settlements looking more dubiousThe judge in the Gibson/Umpa case filed an order laying out “plausible evidence” that the brokerages used a reverse auction strategy to find the best deal.January 17, 2025
- New construction ends 2024 on a high noteHousing starts were way up for the year, and prospects look good heading into 2025 — but the economy and policy decisions could present some challenges.January 17, 2025
- Average mortgage rates top 7% for the first time in 8 monthsRates increased for a fifth straight week, but the latest inflation data could be a sign that relief is coming.January 16, 2025
- NAR asks court to dismiss Michigan mandatory membership caseTying association membership to MLS access isn’t anticompetitive, the defendants argue, while also claiming the plaintiffs are contradicting themselves.January 16, 2025
- Compass boosts outlook, expects 2024 revenue to top $5.6BThe brokerage revised its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings forecast upward, also noting that it added more than 650 agents in Q4.January 15, 2025
- Clear Cooperation lawsuit dismissed (again)TAN, a private listing network, has agreed to drop its case against NAR after nearly five years of litigation and previous dismissals. Will this be the end?January 14, 2025
