The gradual phasing out of buyer-agents is underway, and it shouldn't be long now. Zillow's new format features the listing agent's phone number under the main photo! The three-headed agent display was removed and now when a reader clicks on the right side for Request...
The Future
Modern Company Towns
Traditional real estate being manipulated by billionaires. Hat tip to Anna for sending this in! The digital renderings of North Bayshore, a massive proposed development in Mountain View, California, are crowded with glistening buildings and cheerful, animated...
Appreciating Life
We are going through this now in our family, and it's probably happening to you or someone you know. It's a reminder that if you're a senior and have one move left, it's so much better to move sooner, rather than later (trying to put a real estate spin on this...
“Mother of All Commission Lawsuits”
The copycat lawsuits are pouring in now, with attorneys from across the country looking to get their piece. The latest, called Batton 2 (other versions were filed previously), is for buyers from the last 27 years: “All persons who, since December 1, 1996 through the...
0% Commissions
Currently, every listing agent is required to offer some sort of buyer-agent compensation on the MLS. Zillow and Redfin publish those commission amounts on every listing now, so they are all out in the open. Today, there are 79 homes for sale between La Jolla and...
NAR Lawsuits
People are asking about the NAR lawsuits - hat tip to Susie, Gerry, and Carl! The lawsuit that began this week contends that realtors force sellers to pay a commission to the buyer's agent. Two defendants, ReMax and Anywhere (Coldwell Banker, Sotheby's, etc.) have...
Future of the Housing Market
An article published yesterday included some guesses about the future of the real estate market over the next five years. For those who thought it would be the usual expert opinions touting 3% appreciation per year, you won't be disappointed, though Larry did throw in...
Racing Towards Single Agency, Part 2
I spoke to a few agents on the broker preview yesterday about business this year, and the common theme was that agents are have big trouble finding people who want to sell their home. It suggests that the inventory of quality homes will be extremely low this year....
Private Exclusives
One sign isn't going to change the world, but it's an example of how home sales will be changing in the future. If/when homes are sold in-house (not exposed to outside brokers and buyers) like commercial properties, Compass should extend its dominance in San Diego...
Talk of More Taxes
This might be the last straw for some homeowners who are already tired of the higher taxes in this state: https://californianewstimes.com/politics-report-bia-talks-new-tax/493057/ An excerpt: Environmentalists and union laborers are working on a ballot initiative that...