Wake-Up Call for Realtors: Why Roger Alford’s DOJ Role Changes Everything

April 9, 2025
Why Roger Alford's DOJ Appointment Matters More Than Ever

In my previous article on April 3, 2025, “DOJ Picks Roger Alford—What it Means for NAR, Clear Cooperation, and the Future of MLS,” I emphasized how significant Alford’s appointment to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division would be for the real estate industry. Given Alford’s background as an expert witness in the landmark Sitzer/Burnett case against NAR, his views and potential policy direction are particularly influential.

Roger Alford’s testimony before the Wisconsin Senate on December 19, 2023, underscores exactly why his appointment should concern every professional in real estate. In advocating for Wisconsin Senate Bill 394, Alford highlighted the critical importance of online platforms in home sales, particularly emphasizing FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sellers who, without internet exposure on popular sites like Zillow and Redfin, face severe market disadvantages. He detailed how traditional commission structures could erase years of equity gains, directly criticizing the industry’s approach to commissions as anti-competitive.

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DOJ Picks Roger Alford—What it Means for NAR, Clear Cooperation, and the Future of MLS

April 3, 2025
Roger Alford - DOJ - NAR and Clear Cooperation

There’s been a major development at the Department of Justice (DOJ) that’s got my attention, and it should have yours too. Roger Alford, a law professor from Notre Dame with extensive antitrust experience—most notably as an expert witness for plaintiffs in the landmark 2023 Sitzer/Burnett lawsuit against the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)—has just been appointed Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Antitrust Division. To put it plainly, that’s big news for real estate.

I’ve written extensively about how DOJ scrutiny is reshaping our industry, particularly regarding policies like Clear Cooperation and mandatory REALTOR® membership for MLS access. Alford’s appointment signals loud and clear that the DOJ isn’t backing off anytime soon—in fact, they’re doubling down. In the Sitzer case, Alford testified that NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) isn’t designed to benefit sellers, but rather to preserve MLS monopoly power by cutting off alternative options for agents. With him now positioned at DOJ, expect intensified scrutiny around rules that limit competition.

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New Study Highlights Best and Worst States for Young Homeowners

April 3, 2025
top states for under 35 homeowners

According to a new study released today by Chandan Economics, analyzing data from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, Texas, California, and Florida lead the nation with the highest numbers of homeowners under the age of 35. However, the states boasting the largest proportions of young homeowners, relative to their total housing market, offer more intriguing insights into first-time homebuyer trends. Topping this list are Utah, Alaska, and Iowa, where young adults under 35 represent over 10% of all homeowner households, indicating lower barriers to entry for younger buyers.

Interestingly, states with thriving job markets and higher average wages—such as Washington D.C., California, and New York—rank lowest for under-35 homeowner density. Despite higher earning opportunities, young professionals in these regions often opt for renting over homeownership due to prohibitive costs. These findings underscore the ongoing balance younger households must strike between career opportunities and achievable homeownership, particularly in high-cost, economically vibrant regions (See charts below).

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Real Estate Agents Grapple with Growing Dissatisfaction Toward the National Association of REALTORS®

April 2, 2025
NAR Dissatisfaction by Agents

A recent industry-wide survey has revealed a notable shift in real estate agents’ attitudes toward the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), highlighting growing dissatisfaction and skepticism among professionals. Over half (51%) of surveyed agents reported an unfavorable view of NAR, a significant increase from just 19% the previous year. This stark change is largely driven by the aftermath of the NAR settlement, which imposed stricter transparency requirements and fundamentally altered how commissions are communicated and negotiated, causing disruption in traditional brokerage practices.

Agents are feeling the impact directly in their day-to-day business, with nearly two out of five (38%) stating the settlement negatively affected their operations. More than half (54.4%) have noticed heightened client demands for commission negotiations, reflecting increased pressure to justify their services and fees. According to Redfin, which conducted the survey, this growing dissatisfaction with NAR underscores a deeper struggle within the profession, as agents grapple with declining commissions, increased competition, and shifting consumer expectations.

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Flood Insurance Costs Rising for Landlords: How FEMA’s New Rules Affect Your Bottom Line

March 29, 2025
Flood Insurance Costs - Landlords

Flood risk is becoming a bigger concern for landlords and rental property owners nationwide. With recent shifts in FEMA policies and insurance pricing, understanding your exposure—and your options—is critical. Let’s dive straight into the facts, no fluff.

FEMA recently introduced Risk Rating 2.0, significantly reshaping flood insurance costs for landlords:

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Instantly Evaluate Rental Deals with this Powerful Calculator

March 28, 2025
LandlordCalc.com Rental Property Calculator

Here’s a great tool every serious rental property investor should check out: the Rental Property Calculator from LandlordCalc.com. I built this specifically to give investors a quick, accurate, and actionable financial snapshot of their potential investments. Whether you’re just getting started or adding to your portfolio, this calculator helps you evaluate deals fast by showing crucial metrics like monthly cash flow, cash-on-cash return, cap rate, and your initial investment needed.

Using it is simple—just enter basic property details such as the purchase price, monthly rent, and financing information like down payment and interest rate. It also factors in essential costs that investors often overlook, including vacancy rates, repairs, capital expenditures, and property management fees. Immediately, you’ll see detailed results and an easy-to-understand breakdown of both fixed and variable expenses. It even calculates your expected cash recovery period, letting you know exactly when your investment will pay back your initial outlay.

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Agents, NAR Just Changed the Rules—What the New Listing Policy Means for You

March 25, 2025
National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Clear Cooperation Policy

Today, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) unveiled important updates to its widely debated Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP). After extensive discussions involving real estate brokers, MLS executives, agents, and industry legal experts, NAR introduced the “Multiple Listing Options for Sellers” initiative, designed to enhance seller options and address concerns about market fairness and consumer flexibility.

In previous articles, I’ve detailed why the original CCP faced significant opposition, notably highlighting attorney Michael Ketchmark’s recent public warning directed at NAR brokers. Ketchmark, who represented plaintiffs in the high-profile Sitzer antitrust lawsuit, explicitly warned that brokers who continued supporting CCP risked facing antitrust legal actions.

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The Growing Push for Private Listing Networks: What Home Sellers Need to Know

March 20, 2025

A growing number of real estate brokerages are steering sellers toward private listing networks rather than listing homes on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). According to a January 2025 Harris/Zillow poll, this shift is happening despite a lack of consumer awareness about what private listings mean—and how they can impact a home sale.

The survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults highlights an alarming trend: most sellers aren’t being given all the facts about listing options. Here’s what you need to know before deciding where to list your home.

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