Competition and Real Estate
https://www.justice.gov/atr/public/real_estate/index.html
The Importance of Competition in Real Estate to Consumers
Buying or selling a home is the largest financial transaction most Americans will ever undertake. The median priced home cost $184,334* in 2009, and the median commission paid to real estate brokers came to $9,733**. Overall, Americans paid nearly $60 billion for brokerage services.
Home prices and commissions over time
More Competition Could Reduce Commissions
New business models are emerging that allow consumers to save thousands of dollars when they buy or sell a home. Where these practices are allowed, some buyers’ brokers are offering refunds on commissions, and some sellers’ brokers are charging only for services actually used.
Barriers to a More Competitive Brokerage Market
Ten states forbid buyers’ brokers from rebating a portion of the sales commission to the consumer. Eight states require consumers to buy more services from sellers’ brokers than they may want, with no option to waive the extra items. HUD recently clarified its rule that rebates are permissible under RESPA as long as they are reported on the HUD-1 form.
- HUD explains that rebates are permitted by RESPA
- Selling? State laws on brokerage services increase prices
Other Problems Consumers Face
Some states require real estate closings to be done by lawyers, reducing competition and raising costs. Competition also suffers when brokers exclude low-cost rivals from the multiple listing service (MLS), which limits price competition.
Additional Resources
Government hearings and reports on competition in the brokerage industry
Competition in real estate: Questions and answers
Department of Justice enforcement actions to protect competition
How to Contact the Antitrust Division
If you have questions or comments about competition in the real estate industry or if you have information concerning anticompetitive conduct, e-mail the Antitrust Division.
Lester,
Thanks for posting this link and the article. It answered a lot of questions for me.
Great Article Lester.
great find lester thanks
Does anyone else think there is a mistake in the commission savings chart? A buyer agent rebate does not result in a savings to a seller on commission. The seller is still paying the same amount to the buyer's agent and the buyer's agent is rebating their fee to the buyer. The chart seems to indicate that the rebate is a savings to the seller.
How does a consumer save $6200 when three different scenarios are presented in one chart?
Just wondering if I'm reading the chart wrong or the DOJ has mixed apples and oranges in one chart?