American homeowners could see a significant drop in the cost of selling their homes after a real estate trade group agreed to a landmark deal that will eliminate a bedrock of the industry, the 6 percent sales commission.
The National Association of Realtors, a powerful organization that has set the guidelines for home sales for decades, has agreed to settle a series of lawsuits by paying $418 million in damages and by eliminating its rules on commissions.
Legal counsel for N.A.R.
approved the agreement early Friday morning, and The New York Times obtained a copy of the signed document.
“This will blow up the market and would force a new business model,” said Norm Miller, a professor emeritus of real estate at the University of San Diego.
Persons:
”, Norm Miller
Organizations:
National Association of Realtors, The New York Times, N.A.R, University of San
Locations:
U.S, University of San Diego