If you have been paying attention to the news lately, you have likely seen stories surrounding a major shakeup with real estate commissions stemming from a settlement in a prominent federal lawsuit. On March 15th, a settlement was agreed on between the National Association of Realtors (“NAR”) and the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) who…

It is not uncommon for residential tenants to find themselves at a disadvantage when entering a lease agreement and renting residential property from a landlord. Often, the tenant is not sophisticated in real estate law or the relevant laws of the jurisdiction governing landlords and tenants. Additionally, in the past, landlords were not prohibited from…

The Bert Harris Act was enacted in 1995 by the Florida Legislature in response to concerns that governmental regulations and actions could unfairly diminish the value of private property without providing just compensation to the property owners. See Section 70.001, Florida Statutes. The Act addresses situations that may not rise to the level of a…

In the complex realm of residential and commercial real estate transactions, the importance of a well-crafted customized contract cannot be overstated. However, the convenience and seemingly time-saving allure of boilerplate real estate contracts have led many real estate agents and buyers and sellers to neglect the inherent pitfalls associated with their use. While these template…

A ruling in 2023 by the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) has enormous ramifications for the health of the nation’s waterways. In fact, it would not be hyperbole to call Sackett the most important water-related Supreme Court decision in a generation. A majority of the justices used the…

Purchasing a home is one of the most important—and stressful—purchases a consumer makes. Oftentimes, the process is long, tedious, and nerve-racking. For first-time homebuyers, there are a lot of unknowns, and for sellers, there is much to consider to protect oneself and get the best money for your investment. Unfortunately, many times, sales fall through…

Recently, a federal jury in the Middle District of Missouri found the National Association of Realtors (“NAR”) and two major real estate brokerages—Keller Willams and HomeServices of America—liable under United States antitrust laws for conspiring to fix prices in the class action lawsuit, Burnett v. NAR, et al. Specifically, the jury found that the Defendants…