Commission-Based Real Estate Referral Fees: Consumers Impacts and Proposed Reforms
In the past year, the residential real estate industry has focused an unusual amount of attention on residential real estate referral fees, especially their disclosure. In June, the Northwest MLS announced additions to its forms to provide buyers and sellers more information about referral fees their brokers pay or receive.[1] In November, […]
Real Estate Referral Fees Harm Consumers
Washington, D.C. – A 19-page report released today by the Consumer Policy Center (CPC) reveals that referral fees reinforce high commission rates and jeopardize the quality of consumer service. The report – Commission-Based Home-Referral Services: Consumer Impacts and Proposed Reforms – focuses special attention on referral companies, including Zillow and Realtor.com, that […]
Regulating Shared Appreciation Agreements Under The PA Usury Law
Download Testimony February 23, 2026 Pennsylvania House Commerce Committee Room 523, Irvis Office Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 Re: Support of HB 2120 to amend the PA Usury Law to include Shared Equity Agreements as a mortgage product. To The PA House Commerce Committee My name is Wendy Gilch. I am a Pennsylvania resident, a […]
Buyer Agents Willing to Cut Rates for Home Sellers But Not For Buyers
Washington, D.C. – Recent interviews with 281 active buyer agents in 26 metropolitan areas revealed their strong resistance to negotiating commission rates but their willingness to lower these rates when faced with pushback from home sellers. These findings were part of a report written by Stephen Brobeck and Wendy Gilch – The […]
Reducing Real Estate Commissions: Are Low-Fee Brokers A Viable Alternative For Home Sellers?
Introduction Most sellers pay 5-6 percent commissions to sell their home. On a $400,000 property, that cost is $20,000-$24,000. Further, this expense is usually the same regardless of the experience, competence, and efforts of the agent. These two factors have persuadedsome sellers to consider non-traditional options. One such option is low-commission and flat […]
Low-Fee Real Estate Brokers Can Reduce Home Selling Costs
New CPC Research Explains Different Types of Low-Fee Brokers and Identifies Specific Brokers Likely To Provide The Best Value Washington, D.C. – In the past decade, new real estate companies have been created that offer home sellers either low, or really low fees, according to a new report –Reducing Real Estate Commissions: […]
New Zillow Policy Will Help Protect Home Buyers and Sellers From Anti-Consumer Private Listing Networks
Download Release DOJ Should Weigh in To Ensure Buyer Access to Listings and To Check Big Broker Manipulation of Sellers Washington, D.C. – On April 10, Zillow announced that beginning in May, it will no longer list properties from the private listings of brokers who are publicly marketing them. This marketing includes social media, […]