Ever feel like there's something more to those "free" real estate platforms? We're revealing the truth behind agent referral systems and the hidden costs they bury. In this episode, journey with us as we question the standard commission rates, challenge the lack of transparency in the referral process, and share our own practice of recommending agents without expecting a fee.  We also take a critical look at how large platforms track transactions and the resulting squeeze on commission negotiations, inviting you to consider how much of your money really goes into the service you receive.

Charles Boon, a Colorado broker with as much expertise in real estate as he has tattoos of homes sold on his arm, joins us to dissect the impact of referral platforms on your wallet and property negotiations.

As a special bonus, and because there is no way to avoid talking about, we also discuss  the NAR proposed settlement and how it might impact these referral platforms, but also how it's currently making everyone lose their mind.

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New Data In 10 (or less) episode!
 
 Peel back the curtain on real estate's shadowy corners with us, as we expose the truth about industry practices that could be dipping into your pocket without you even blinking an eye.
 
 This episode brings you a raw look at the iBuyerss.   As they make their way back to the market with big marketing dollars to spend, it's important that you understand the many ways they make money off of you (it's not just from buying your house).
 
 Learn about iBuyers like Opendoor and Offer Pad, and discover the real cost of those tempting cash offers. From commission structures that may not always have the seller's best interests at heart to the goldmine that is your personal data—our new data in 10 episode on ibuyer's hold nothing back.


Discover "Data In 10," your go-to resource on companies selling your information (in 10 minutes or less).  As new FCC rules reshape the real estate landscape, it's crucial to understand the impending changes and their impact on you (consumers) and the value of your information. 

Before the new rules take effect, we're committed to educating you on the myriad companies profiting from your data. Uncover the true value of your information and how, often unbeknownst to you, it's traded. The potential impact is significant – your data's value influences the quality of service you receive and can affect the fees and commissions you pay.   
 
 Pay attention and protect your data!

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If you are thinking of buying a home this year, you need to listen to this episode!

In light of the many antitrust lawsuits floating through the court system, the messaging now being pushed to agents is to get a buyer broker agreement signed with their client ASAP.   Unfortunately, most of these broker agreements are not "pro-consumer," even though the industry loves to throw that term around like candy. 

In this episode,  real estate attorney and licensed broker, Doug Miller,  joins us to expose who is writing these agreements and how certain contract clauses can undermine a fair deal for homebuyers.   Additionally, the episode casts light on the subtle ways consumers end up footing the bill for brokers' business expenses.

Learn About Buyer Broker Contracts

Steve Brobeck's Report On State Commission Boards

Review Current Antitrust Lawsuits

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There is a hidden side of the real estate industry that we like to call the "underbelly."   The underbelly is where all the bad stuff is hidden from consumers and rarely discussed.  Those that do discuss the "underbelly" are typically discarded, ousted, or avoided.

When we saw Preston Kincaid's recent videos on his experience with the real estate underbelly, we knew he would be a perfect fit for our podcast to discuss the challenging relationships between "deal killer" inspectors and bad agents. 

In this episode, Preston and Wendy discuss how he is treated by good agents, vs what happened when a bad broker labeled him a "deal killer" and banned their agents from using his services.    They also get into home flippers, red flags to spot, new construction, and what you should be looking for when searching for a home inspector.

Preston's Tiktok @inspector_preston
Preston's Business Page

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The many antitrust lawsuit that have hit the court system recently have created the idea that “big tech “is going to replace real estate agents.     But if that’s possible, we need to understand how much they currently make off of real estate agents (that you don’t see).

This episode features Florida real estate broker, Matt Wheatley, and covers the models of some of these big businesses, the impact of antitrust law suits on their business, what the future may look like, why we should demand they be more transparent, and a whole lot of extra stuff about fees, hating being in sales, humility, and why social media makes our brains hurt. 

Matt’s Tiktok: @mjwhomes

Submit your dumb question: [email protected]

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Back in June, Rob Hahn joined our podcast to explain the three anti-trust lawsuits that were floating through the court system.   

A lot has changed since then, including $5 billion in damages that is sitting in front of a judge to decide if that amount is fair and just.      That $5 billion is just one of the now four cases in the system (with likely many to follow).

With so many changes in so little time, we asked Rob to join us again to not only give us an update on the cases and damages, but also give some insight into what consumers should be looking for in the future.  

Rob and Wendy also discuss the many dumb things real estate agents are STILL posting online and telling clients that prove steering and conversations between agents to keep buyer commissions inflated.  Plus a conversation on why real estate brokers (or brokers in charge) should be worried.

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We've been receiving a lot of questions about Antonio's story, specifically asking how in the world the adverse possession case was botched.

So, for all you legal lovers out there, here is how the simple adverse possession case was botched by Antonio's attorney.  

For more details, go to the previous episode to learn how this botched case against the Remax listing agent has led to seven years of harassment, abuse of police and judicial services, racism, and much more!

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This homebuyer story is quite possibly the worst story we have heard when it comes to accountability (or lack of) in the real estate industry.

As a kid, Antonio's family would drive through the wealthier part of Kansas City, MO and dream of one day owning a home there.   Some 40  years later, Antonio finally had that chance to buy a home for his parents in that neighborhood.     But what was supposed a dream retirement for his parents, turned into a nightmare when the Remax listing agent of the home he bought (who is also the neighbor) claimed adverse possession on the property she sold them.  

Thanks to an incompetent lawyer, what should have been an open and shut case has now stretched out over seven years.   Over those years, Antonio's family encountered a botched contracting job, harassment, racism, alleged blackmail and more!   Yet through all of this, the agent, her broker, and Remax have never been held accountable.  

The worst part of this story is that Antonio's father is now ill.   So, what should have been a luxurious, relaxing, happy seven years for his parents in that home, was ruined by the listing agent.  

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Three anti-trust lawsuits are making their way through the court systems that could potentially change how (and how much) agents get paid when buying or selling a home.

While these billion-dollar cases are some of the biggest lawsuits ever hitting the National Association of Realtors, you likely haven't heard much about them. 

But why?

To help dissect these cases, we asked our friend Rob Hahn to join this particular episode. Rob is the co-founder of Decentre Property Exchange. He is also the managing partner of 7DS Associates, which advises brokerages big and small in real estate to make impactful changes. Rob also graduated from NYU School of Law, focusing on corporate law and international bankruptcy. Although he is a self-proclaimed "retired lawyer," you can see why we thought he would be the perfect person to explain what is going on with these three cases.

Rob Hahn's Website

Rob's Case Webinar For Brokers

Related Business Insider article about these cases

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A disabled Veteran reached out to us a few weeks to share their story and asking for help.    

Their agent told them (on the phone) that they have to waive inspection and ask for nothing to win, essentially buying a home as is.  This home was recently flipped by out of town developers, yet their agent still insisted they waive inspection and ask for nothing.   The agent then had the buyers sign a waiver basically removing any responsibility from the agent for saying they need to do this.  After closing, the buyers discovered over $80,000 in problems (on a $300,000 home) and are left with no one to help them.

Believe it or not, there are markets in the US in which waiving the home inspection is still a tactic buyers are using to get their offer accepted.   But how can a buyer do this to protect themselves, and is it really worth waiving it at all?

MA Real Estate Agent, Patricks Brusil joins us to discuss waiving inspections, why buyers are doing it, the issues that arise from this strategy, and why buyers and sellers need to start pushing back on advice given by asking the simple question "why."

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