Jesse Williams

1 week ago | rismedia.com | Jesse Williams

Last month, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill that explicitly bans any requirement that homebuyers sign an agreement with an agent before touring a home, essentially repealing a change made by the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) settlement agreement. While the settlement was crafted to defer to state laws, the bill would appear to be a repudiation of the national mandates that emerged from the lawsuit.

1 week ago | rismedia.com | Jesse Williams

In a sharply worded nine-page opinion yesterday, Judge Stephen R. Bough, who oversaw the Burnett case and is currently presiding over the largest commission copycat lawsuit (known as Gibson), declined to step down from that case, calling into doubt “small and selected” arguments put forth by brokerage defendant Howard Hanna.

2 weeks ago | rismedia.com | Jesse Williams

In a major policy announcement today, portal giant Zillow sharply escalated a long-simmering dispute over private listings, implementing what the company is calling new “listing access standards” that will essentially boycott properties that were previously limited to internal brokerage or MLS platforms.

2 weeks ago | rismedia.com | Jesse Williams

Words like “turmoil” and “uncertainty” rarely describe an environment where people are eager to buy and sell real estate. Unfortunately, right now it is hard to find any analyst, economist or commentator on either side of the political spectrum that isn’t using these words—or some variation, as tariffs have roiled financial markets and consumer confidence plunges to historically low levels. But what are the real worries—and opportunities—for those who make a living buying and selling homes?

2 weeks ago | rismedia.com | Michael Catarevas |Jesse Williams

Realtor®.com’s parent company has dropped a long-running and acrimonious lawsuit against rival CoStar, according to a court filing today, with a spokesperson saying the company “has chosen to settle” with an ex-employee who was accused of stealing data after joining Homes.com.