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Read previewThe latest figures from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway suggest consumers are faring better than they were just a year or two ago. Thomson ReutersHomeServicesReal estate brokerage revenues were almost flat and after-tax earnings rose 21%. New home unit sales rose 11% after dropping 20%, but pre-tax earnings fell 10%, similar to their 12% decline last year. But pre-tax earnings jumped 10% due to higher margins and lower operating expenses that offset the lower sales. AdvertisementRetailThe odd one out was the retailing subdivision, where revenues fell 4.5% and pre-tax earnings fell 23%.
Persons: , Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Here's, Thomson, Warren Buffett, Clayton, Rick Wilking, Berkshire, They've, There's Organizations: Service, Business, Thomson Reuters, Clayton Homes, Reuters McLane, Berkhire Hathaway Locations: Warren Buffett's, Berkshire, Renton , Washington, Omaha , Nebraska
Beth Ann: We planned on getting to California at some point. Beth Ann: We first started considering a move to California during COVID when we were sitting at home and couldn't go anywhere. AdvertisementEric and Beth Ann Mott said they love the access to nature and hiking in California. Courtesy of Eric and Beth Ann MottBeth Ann: You can't paint California with just one brush. Beth Ann: I think California will continue to be our long-term play.
Persons: , realtors Eric Mott, Beth Ann Mott, Eric, Denver, Beth Ann, We're, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Colorado, COVID, California Eric, Beth Anne, Beth Ann Mott Eric, it's, Colorado Eric, Everybody, they're, Beth Ann Mott Beth Ann, wouldn't Organizations: Service, realtors, Business, Kansas City, Berkshire Locations: Denver , Colorado, Oaks , California, California, Denver, Colorado, Oaks, Eric, COVID, Santa Monica, downtown, Los Angeles
But this year’s event will be the first without Munger, who died in November at age 99 — and comes amid growing questions about Berkshire post-Buffett, who’s 93. Buffett will have a different crew answering questions alongside him on Saturday. Berkshire’s vice chairmen, Greg Abel and Ajit Jain, will be on hand for much of the day. Shareholders most likely will be focused on what Abel, Buffett’s appointed successor as C.E.O. In Buffett’s annual letter to investors, he noted challenges to Berkshire’s biggest businesses, including the BNSF railroad (falling shipment volumes) and its utility business (forest fires).
Persons: Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, Munger, Buffett, Greg Abel, Ajit Jain, Abel, Buffett’s Organizations: Berkshire, Shareholders Locations: Berkshire, Omaha, Woodstock, America
HomeServices of America, the largest residential real estate brokerage in the United States and owned by Warren E. Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy, has agreed to settle a series of lawsuits that could change the way commissions are paid to real estate agents. On Thursday, the brokerage signed off on adding $250 million to the mounting pile of damages won by home sellers who have successfully sued several brokerages and the National Association of Realtors over what they described as inflated commissions. That settlement received preliminary approval from a federal judge on Tuesday, and now N.A.R. will pay $418 million in damages and significantly change its rules on agent commissions and the databases, accessible only by those who hold membership to N.A.R. The settlement will introduce competition to the market for real estate commissions, driving down the fees that consumers are required to pay when selling a home and eventually lowering home prices across the board as a result, some industry analysts say.
Persons: Warren E Organizations: Warren, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, National Association of Realtors, The New York Times, Industry Locations: America, United States
A real-estate brokerage owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a lawsuit over its commission fees, according to plaintiffs in the case. AdvertisementHome sellers had sued HomeServices of America, alleging it conspired to force sellers to pay inflated agent commissions. Related stories"As we move beyond this settlement, our focus remains steadfast on ethical operations, industry integrity, and delivering value," Kelly said. AdvertisementThe group of home sellers, in this case, had also sued other brokerages and have scored millions in settlements already. Among the payouts is a whopping $418 million from the National Association of Realtors that has shaken up the real-estate industry.
Persons: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, HomeServices, Benjamin D, Brown, Cohen Milstein Sellers, Chris Kelly, Kelly Organizations: Warren, Business, National Association of Realtors Locations: America
The NAR, which represents more than 1 million Realtors, also agreed to put in place a set of new rules. One prevents sellers’ brokers from setting buyers’ agents’ compensation, which critics say led brokers to push more expensive properties on customers. Another new rule will require buyers’ brokers to enter into written agreements with their buyers. Realtors could now compete on commissions, allowing for prospective buyers to shop around on rates before they commit to buying a home. The association also faces scrutiny from the US Department of Justice, and it’s unclear whether this settlement with sellers will impact the government’s scrutiny of the brokerage industry.
Persons: , Kevin Sears, Nykia Wright, Homesellers, HomeServices, Wright Organizations: CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Realtors, realtors, US Department of Justice Locations: Missouri, America, litigate
So if you’re planning to be in the market this year, here’s what to expect this spring — and how to be ready to pounce. Don’t wait for better prices or ratesLast year was the least affordable housing market since the 1980’s as mortgage rates spiked to 23-year highs at the end of October. But a slightly brighter season is dawning this spring. This spring is offering a bit of rate and price stability said Betty Jans, an Annapolis, Maryland-based real estate agent. “If you wait, and all of the sudden we have a little dip in rates, you’re going to be competing with everyone else that wants to buy then, too,” Jans said.
Persons: it’s, Fannie Mae, Betty Jans, Tiffany Hagler, homebuyers, , Jans, Berkshire Hathaway, PenFed, ” Jans, , Mike Mravca, Mravca, ” Mravca, “ I’ve, Hillary Nash, Nash, “ It’s, you’re Organizations: Washington CNN, NFL, Super, Geard, Bloomberg, Getty, Berkshire, Taylor Properties, NAR, District of Columbia, of Housing, Urban Development, National Housing Conference Locations: Annapolis , Maryland, Larchmont , New York, Virginia , Maryland, Delaware, Washington, Washington , DC, Maryland, Virginia
The president of the National Association of Realtors on Monday said she was resigning due to a blackmail threat that sought to "compromise" her leadership role. NAR President Tracy Kasper said she had notified the group's leadership team "that she recently received a threat to disclose a past personal, non-financial matter unless she compromised her position at NAR." President-elect Kevin Sears will immediately step into the post at the group, which represents more than 1.5 million members working in the residential and commercial real estate industries. and the majority owner of two other real estate companies in the state, according to her NAR bio. Also, the article was updated to reflect that Kasper wasn't president of the NAR in 2016.
Persons: Tracy Kasper, Kasper, Kevin Sears, Kenny Parcell, Bob Goldberg, Berkshire Hathaway, Silverhawk, CNBC's Diana Olick, Kasper wasn't Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, New York Times, CNBC PRO Locations: Berkshire, Boise Valley , Idaho
Courtesy National Association of RealtorsKasper echoed those sentiments in a keynote address to agents at the convention on Tuesday, telling agents: “We will continue to listen closely to your feedback. Real estate agents generate about $100 billion in commissions a year, according to the Department of Justice. And about half of that, plaintiffs in the recent case argue, goes to buyers’ agents. Visitors at the National Association of Realtors convention on November 14 in Anaheim, California. She said that buyers’ agreements may have to have wording that says that if a seller doesn’t agree to pay the buyer’s agent commission, the buyer is on the hook for that money.
Persons: Keller Williams, Tracy Kasper, Berkshire Hathaway, Silverhawk, , ” Tracy Kasper, National Association of Realtors Kasper, Renée Roqué, Alexis McGee, , Liu Guanguan, John Natale, Natale isn’t, Lynn Madison, Madison, Chuck Simons, “ It’s, Matt Troiani, Troiani, it’s, ” Troiani, ” ‘, Jim Flanagan, Flanagan, isn’t, Nate Johnson, haven’t, Johnson Organizations: California CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, of Justice, NXT, Department of Justice, China News Service, Social Media, Realtors, Coldwell, RedKey Realty Locations: Anaheim, California, Missouri, America, Texas, Berkshire, Boise , Idaho, Stevenson Ranch , California, San Mateo County , California, New Jersey, Anaheim , California, Illinois, Valencia , California, Ocean County , New Jersey, Flanagan’s, St, Louis , Missouri
The famed investor's company reported lower revenues and profits in several divisions last quarter. Here's a roundup of Berkshire's weak spots last quarter:BNSF Railway - operating revenues fell by 12% and earnings by 15%. Manufacturing: consumer products - revenues fell by 2% in the third quarter and 13% in the nine months to September. AdvertisementAdvertisementBuffett foreshadowed the challenges, warning in May that most of Berkshire's businesses would report profit declines this year. While the US has escaped recession so far, Berkshire's earnings suggest there are some cracks in the economy.
Persons: Warren, Berkshire Hathaway, Here's, , Clayton, Buffett Organizations: Service, BNSF Railway, Manufacturing, Clayton Homes, Federal Reserve Locations: Berkshire, Forest
It’s easy to forget how much we used to rely on real, physical paper and, like, other people to buy basic things. It wasn’t all that long ago that you’d call a travel agent to book a flight. But the sellers argued that in a competitive market, the buyers should pay their own agent’s commission, and negotiate that fee separately. Because even though the NAR says fees are negotiable, the industry has made 5%-6% commissions so standard that most people wouldn’t question it. According to Bloomberg, Realtor commissions are high by global standards.
Persons: CNN Business ’, Anna Bahney, Keller Williams, Bob Goldberg, , you’re, you’ll Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN Business, National Association of Realtors, Homeservices, Keller, Keller Williams Realty, NAR, MLS, Bloomberg, Department of Justice Locations: New York, Missouri, America, Australia
On Tuesday afternoon at a courthouse in Kansas City, Missouri, the collective nightmare of the real-estate industry became reality. For decades, the basic structure of how real-estate agents get paid when they help someone buy or sell their home has remained roughly the same. Here's how it works: When you list your home for sale on an MLS, you're required to offer a commission to the buyer's agent. The good buyer's agents who can prove their value will be fine, Brobeck predicted. The wild thing is, the decision could be just the beginning of tumult for the real-estate industry.
Persons: Burnett, , Stephen Brobeck, Brobeck, Mike Rosenthal, Rosenthal, Sellers, Saul Klein, you've, Klein, Keller Williams, Bob Goldberg, Inman, Opendoor, James Rodriguez Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, MLS, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer, nab, New York Times, Justice Department Locations: Kansas City , Missouri, Missouri , Illinois, Kansas, California
And yet, every day, people across America hire a real estate agent to help them sell a home. While state governments license real estate agents, NAR has an extensive code of ethics it expects members to adhere to. NAR and the brokerages have vowed to appeal the verdict, which means real estate commissions aren’t going anywhere immediately. Last month Redfin, an internet real estate company, left the association. The longer-term impact of the verdict may be that the pairing of buyer’s agent commission and seller’s agent commission will eventually be separated.
Persons: Keller Williams, , Corcoran —, Kenny Parcell, , Mantill Williams, Darryl Frost, homesellers, Stephen Brobeck, ” Brobeck, Jen Davis, ” Davis, , they’ll Organizations: DC CNN, National Association of Realtors, Homeservices, Keller, Keller Williams Realty, Coldwell Banker, Sotheby’s, Realty, NAR, US Department of Justice, , Consumer, Consumer Federation of America, Holt Homes Group Locations: Washington, America, Missouri, Keefe, Springfield , Missouri
On Tuesday afternoon at a courthouse in Kansas City, Missouri, the collective nightmare of the real-estate industry became reality. For decades, the basic structure of how real-estate agents get paid when they help someone buy or sell their home has remained roughly the same. Here's how it works: When you list your home for sale on an MLS, you're required to offer a commission to the buyer's agent. The good buyer's agents who can prove their value will be fine, Brobeck predicted. Buyers might also start making offers on the condition that the seller agrees to pay both agents' commissions — otherwise, no deal.
Persons: Burnett, , Stephen Brobeck, Brobeck, Mike Rosenthal, Rosenthal, Sellers, Saul Klein, you've, Klein, Keller Williams, Bob Goldberg, Inman, Opendoor, James Rodriguez Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, MLS, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer, nab, New York Times, Justice Department Locations: Kansas City , Missouri, Missouri , Illinois, Kansas, California
Operating profit rose 41% to $10.76 billion, even as Berkshire's net loss more than quadrupled to $12.77 billion. "Against that backdrop it's not surprising that Berkshire's consumer and housing-related subsidiaries are seeing pressure," she said. "Berkshire is disciplined," said Tom Russo, a partner at Gardner Russo & Quinn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania who has owned Berkshire stock since 1982. Berkshire's net results swing widely because accounting rules require the company to report investment gains and losses even if it buys and sells nothing. His $117.5 billion net worth ranks fifth worldwide according to Forbes magazine.
Persons: Rick Wilking, Warren Buffett's, Jim Shanahan, Edward Jones, Cathy Seifert, extol, Buffett, Tom Russo, Gardner Russo, Quinn, Cash, Berkshire's, Ian, Geico, Shanahan, PACIFICORP, Haslam, Jonathan Stempel, Ira Iosebashvili, Jason Neely, Diane Craft Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway, REUTERS, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc, Apple, Treasury, BNSF, Clayton Homes ., Berkshire, Forbes, . Berkshire, Thomson Locations: Omaha, U.S, Berkshire, Omaha , Nebraska, Lancaster , Pennsylvania, California, Florida , New Jersey, New York, United States, Israel
Washington, DC CNN —Bob Goldberg, chief executive officer of the National Association of Realtors, the nation’s largest trade association, is stepping down, the organization announced Thursday. Earlier this week, a federal jury in Missouri found NAR and two brokerages conspired to keep real estate agent commissions artificially high and determined they were liable for $1.8 billion in damages. Nykia Wright, previously CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times, has been appointed NAR interim Chief Executive Officer, starting November 20th. “We are delighted to welcome Nykia as interim CEO,” said NAR President Tracy Kasper, a real estate agent from Nampa, Idaho, and broker-owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Silverhawk Realty. He added: “Nykia’s strategic expertise and forward-looking perspective are exactly what NAR needs to continue advancing its mission in an ever-changing world.”
Persons: Bob Goldberg, Kenny Parcell, Redfin, Nykia Wright, Nykia, , Tracy Kasper, Berkshire Hathaway, Silverhawk, Kasper, , ” Goldberg Organizations: DC CNN, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Chicago Sun, Times, Sun - Locations: Washington, Missouri, Nampa , Idaho, Berkshire
The verdict could upend decades-old practices that have allowed real estate agents to boost commissions by forcing sellers to pay commissions to buyers' real estate brokers. Representatives of Compass and Douglas Elliman declined to comment. BTIG analyst Soham Bhonsle in an investor note said the fact that Douglas Elliman, Redfin, Compass and eXp were being sued by the same lawyers was a negative for their stocks. Zillow (ZG.O) shares initially fell 0.33% after brokerage Jefferies cut its price target, citing the impact of Tuesday's verdict. While Zillow is not a defendant in either lawsuit, Jefferies said Tuesday's verdict "increases the chances of a ban on commission sharing and Zillow having to pivot the business model."
Persons: Douglas, Mike Segar, Douglas Elliman, Berkshire Hathaway's, eXp, Glenn Kelman, Soham Bhonsle, Jefferies, Zillow, HomeServices, Chibuike Oguh, Jonathan Stempel, Michelle Price, Bill Berkrot, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, World Holdings, National Association of Realtors, Compass, NAR, Thomson Locations: Manhattan's, New York City , New York, U.S, Kansas City , Missouri, Berkshire, America, Western Missouri, Missouri , Kansas, Illinois, New York
A jury found Tuesday that real-estate agents and brokerages kept their commissions artifically high. The verdict, she added, is "a wake-up call for real-estate agents." The seller might no longer pay out both agents' commissions after the sale closes. Currently, home sellers often list their properties for higher sums because they expect to pay broker fees. AdvertisementAdvertisement"NAR and corporate real-estate companies have had a stranglehold on real-estate commissions for too long," the plaintiffs' lawyer, Michael Ketchmark, said outside the courtroom Tuesday, according to the Journal.
Persons: brokerages, , Sissy Lappin, James Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Bernstein, Keller Williams, Michael Ketchmark Organizations: Service, National Association of Realtors, NAR, Wall Street, Keller, Keller Williams Realty Locations: Houston , Texas, Midwest
The verdict by a federal jury in Kansas City, Missouri, could upend decades-old practices that have allowed real estate agents to boost commissions as home prices and mortgage rates rise, hurting consumers by making housing transactions more expensive. Plaintiffs in the class action included sellers of more than 260,000 homes in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois between 2015 and 2022, who objected to the commissions they were obligated to pay buyers' brokers. The verdict followed a two-week trial, and the damages award can be tripled under U.S. antitrust law to more than $5.3 billion. Shares of real estate brokerages not involved in the verdict closed lower. Re/Max fell 4.4% and Anywhere fell 2.7%, while online brokers Zillow Group (ZG.O) and Redfin (RDFN.O) declined 6.9% and 5.7%, respectively.
Persons: Larry Downing, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Michael Ketchmark, realty Keller Williams, Mantill Williams, HomeServices, Keller Williams, Darryl Frost, Frost, Sellers, Corcoran, Max, brokerages, Mike Scarcella, Jonathan Stempel, Lance Tupper, David Bario, Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: National Association of Realtors, REUTERS, realty, NAR, Coldwell Banker, Zillow, U.S . Department of Justice, Thomson Locations: Fairfax, Virginia, U.S, Warren, Kansas City , Missouri, Missouri , Kansas, Illinois, Berkshire, America, Washington, Maryland, New York
Townhomes line a street in Fairfax, on the morning the National Association of Realtors issues its Pending Home Sales for February report, in Virginia March 27, 2014. The verdict followed a two-week trial in the Kansas City, Missouri, federal court, where the case had drawn widespread attention for challenging widely used real estate industry practices. A spokesperson for the National Association of Realtors, Mantill Williams, also said it would appeal and ask the court to reduce the damages amount. The plaintiffs claimed the association and corporate defendants drove up the commission, upwards of 6%, that home sellers pay to brokers representing buyers. Two other defendants, Re/Max (RMAX.N) and Anywhere Real Estate (HOUS.N), agreed to respective $55 million and $83.5 million settlements before trial, without admitting liability.
Persons: Larry Downing, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Michael Ketchmark, Ketchmark, Keller Williams, HomeServices, Darryl Frost, Frost, Mantill Williams, Sellers, Mike Scarcella, David Bario, Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: National Association of Realtors, REUTERS, U.S . Justice Department, Thomson Locations: Fairfax, Virginia, U.S, Warren, Kansas City , Missouri, Berkshire, America, Missouri , Kansas, Illinois, Washington, Maryland
Unlike many recent New York City transplants, Dina Elachi and Victor Wong started looking for a house in the Hudson Valley in 2019, before the Covid pandemic supercharged the market. “We had been coming up here a lot for biking, hiking, rock climbing and ice climbing,” said Dr. Elachi, 36, a neonatologist and assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. “The area we were in wasn’t good for Wonton,” Dr. Elachi said. Of course, as Ms. Sweeney reminded them, “For most sellers, a lower down payment would not be a good thing. It was up to me to sell the story of allowing someone with debt to do what Americans want to do, which is own a home.”The search was “very exhausting,” Dr. Elachi said.
Persons: Dina Elachi, Victor Wong, , Elachi, Wong, Laurel Sweeney, Berkshire Hathaway, ” Ms, Sweeney, Organizations: Presbyterian Hospital, New, Berkshire Locations: New York City, Hudson, New York, Harlem, Korea, New Zealand, Ulster County
Rapid inflation and hikes to interest rates have fanned fears of an economic slowdown or recession. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - real estate brokerage revenues fell 22% and after-tax earnings fell 60%, as transaction volumes fell and revenues from mortgage services dropped. - real estate brokerage revenues fell 22% and after-tax earnings fell 60%, as transaction volumes fell and revenues from mortgage services dropped. However, the slowdown in Berkshire's consumer businesses may well signal a broader downturn in consumer spending across the US economy. The Federal Reserve responded by hiking interest rates from nearly zero to north of 5% today.
Persons: Warren, Berkshire Hathaway, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, James Shanahan, Edward Jones, They've, they've Organizations: Service, BNSF Railway, Berkshire, Manufacturing, Clayton Homes, Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, Federal Locations: Wall, Silicon, Berkshire, Here's, Forest, McLane
Trying to find a buyer and sifting through offers sounds like a nightmare, so you hire a real-estate agent. The seller might no longer pay out both agents' commissions after the sale closes. Despite the potentially earthshaking consequences, most local real-estate agents — who, to be fair, have more pressing short-term concerns — have largely ignored the cases. "They not only have to pay a buyer's agent commission, but they can't negotiate that commission," Brobeck said of sellers. "It just doesn't make any sense for the seller to have to pay the buyer's agent," Brobeck told me.
Persons: , Sitzer, that's, Max, Keller Williams, Sellers, Brokerages, Stephen Brobeck, Brobeck, Moehrl, Wager, Katie Johnson, you'll, Johnson, Buyers, Nicholas Economides, homebuyers, Trump, Everyone's, Rob Hahn, Steve Marcus, David Eisenstadt, Eisenstadt, Hahn, James Rodriguez Organizations: National Association of Realtors, NAR, Realtors, MLS, Consumer Federation of America, New York University, CFA, Realtor.com, REUTERS, Berkeley Research Group, Justice Department's Antitrust Locations: America, Missouri, Illinois, MLSs, Houston , Texas, Australia, Netherlands, United Kingdom
Factbox: Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway at a glance
  + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com   time to read: +8 min
[1/2] Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett walks through the exhibit hall as shareholders gather to hear from the billionaire investor at Berkshire Hathaway Inc's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S., May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File PhotoMay 4 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people are descending on Omaha, Nebraska to attend the annual shareholder weekend for billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N). Susan Buffett and Howard Buffett are Berkshire directors. His Berkshire stock will go to philanthropy after he dies. (Interview with CNBC, April 12, 2023)Abel on Berkshire managers' relationship with him: "It's not the same as working for Warren.
Built in 1997, the property is situated on over 45 acres of land in Evansville, Indiana and contains five bedrooms and eleven bathrooms. Unlike the real White House, this dupe is only two floors instead of six and has five bedrooms instead of 16. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServicesSource: Realtor.com
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