6 new stories
Mortgage rates hit a three-year high, with Freddie Mac's 30-year average at 7.40 percent for the week ending Oct 8. Compass and Unlock MLS are now openly at odds over office exclusives, and the Tuccori commission settlement moved closer to final approval.
Austin's Unlock MLS rejects Compass demands to stop fining agents for marketing office exclusives, with Compass threatening a federal antitrust suit.
Why it matters: If an MLS can fine agents for publicly marketing office exclusives, your pre-marketing strategy in that market carries a penalty risk until the dispute is resolved.
Read the reporting at Inman → · Also reported by Therealdeal
NAR, Compass and Elliman urge final approval of the Tuccori commission settlement; opt-in deals are being pushed through.
Why it matters: A final approval of the Tuccori settlement would settle a piece of commission-related litigation exposure for the brokerages and agents involved.
Guides and commentary explain buyer-agent commission payment, low-commission models, broker commission structures and agent cost restructuring.
Why it matters: Buyers keep asking who pays their agent, so a clear, consistent answer on compensation models is now part of winning buyer representation.
Freddie Mac 30-year average reached 7.40 percent for week ending Oct 8, a three-year high, prompting debate on whether buyers should wait and whether rates will keep rising or fall.
Why it matters: With the 30-year rate at a three-year high, expect payment-sensitive buyers to hesitate and affordability questions to dominate your pipeline conversations.
Read the reporting at Newsweek → · Also reported by Forbes, Realtor, Thestreet
The Eighth Circuit declined to rethink the $110M deal over broker fees, keeping the settlement on track.
Why it matters: The Eighth Circuit's refusal to rethink the $110M deal keeps that broker-fee settlement on track and removes one source of uncertainty.
Read the reporting at Law360 → · Also reported by Cohenmilstein
Zillow challenges the dismissal of a Realtors antitrust suit, arguing the court misread case law, while coverage questions its legal exposure over hidden listings and Flex lead fees.
Why it matters: Zillow's legal exposure over hidden listings and Flex lead fees could affect how agents pay for leads and how listings get visibility.
Read the reporting at Simplywall → · Also reported by Law360
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