Competition Policy and the Real Estate Industry
May 8, 2007Report
Competition in the Real Estate Brokerage Industry – A Report by the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice (April 2007)
Workshop Information
The Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission cohosted a one-day workshop on competition policy and the real estate industry on Tuesday, October 25, 2005. The workshop was held at the FTC’s Satellite Building Conference Center located at 601 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
This page provides information on:
This page provides information on:
- Agenda and Transcript
- Panelist Submissions
- Antitrust Division Comments
- Public Comments
- U.S. v. National Association of Realtors
- U.S. v. Kentucky Real Estate Commission
Dates to remember:
- September 25, 2005: Prospective panelist submissions due
- October 11, 2005: Selected panelists notified
- October 25, 2005: Workshop
- November 28, 2005: Comments due
For more information, contact the Litigation III Section by e-mail (RealEstateWorkshop@usdoj.gov).
Overview
In light of the substantial changes in the real estate brokerage marketplace and consumers’ interest in a competitive real estate brokerage industry, the Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a workshop to provide a forum on the competitiveness of the residential real estate industry.
The workshop will cover topics such as buyers' rebates, discount brokers and limited-service brokers, and minimum service requirements.
In particular, discussion will center around the following topics:
- The real estate transaction
- Empirical evidence regarding competition in the industry
- Private and state actions that affect competition among seller's brokers
- Private and state actions that affect competition among buyers' brokers.
For more information on these topics and the scope of this workshop, read the Federal Register Notice.
Press Releases
September 13, 2005
Justice Department/Federal Trade Commission to Host Joint Workshop on Competition Policy and The Real Estate Industry – One-day Public Event Scheduled for October 25, 2005 in Washington, D.C.
Related Press Releases
November 02, 2005
Justice Department Encourages the New Mexico Real Estate Commission to Maintain Consumer Choice in Real Estate Brokerage Services – Proposed Rule Amendments Would Restrict Consumer Choice and Cause New Mexicans to Pay More for Real Estate Services
October 20, 2005
The Justice Department and The Federal Trade Commission Encourage Michigan Senate Committee to Continue to Allow Consumer Choice in Real Estate Brokerage Services – Proposed Legislation Would Restrict Consumer Choice and Cause Michigan Consumers to Pay More for Real Estate Services
October 4, 2005
Department of Justice Amends Antitrust Lawsuit Against National Association of Realtors – NAR's Modified Policy Continues to Obstruct Internet-Based Competition
September 8, 2005
Justice Department Sues National Association of Realtors for Limiting Competition Among Real Estate Brokers – NAR Policy Obstructs Internet-based Real Estate Brokers from Offering Better Services and Lower Costs to Consumers
August 17, 2005
South Dakota Real Estate Commission Permits Real Estate Brokers to Offer Rebates and Inducements – Rescission of Rulings Will Benefit Consumers of Real Estate Services
July 13, 2005
Justice Department Reaches Settlement with Kentucky Real Estate Commission – Settlement Allowing Real Estate Brokers to Offer Rebates and Inducements Will Benefit Consumers
Corrected Version June 29, 2005
Justice Department Moves to Modify Real Estate Consent Decree – Action Allows Consumers to Get More Information on Discounted Real Estate Fees
May 25, 2005
Justice Department Statement on Oklahoma Legislature's Proposed Real Estate Legislation
May 24, 2005
The Justice Department and The Federal Trade Commission Urge the Governor of Missouri to Continue to Allow Consumer Choice in Real Estate Brokerage Services – Proposed Legislation Would Reduce Choice and Cause Missouri Consumers to Pay More for Real Estate Services
May 12, 2005
The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission Urge the Alabama State Senate to Continue to Allow Consumer Choice in Real Estate Brokerage Services – Proposed Legislation Would Reduce Choice and Likely Cause Alabama Consumers to Pay More for Real Estate Services
April 21, 2005
Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission Urge Texas Real Estate Commission to Continue to Allow Flexibility in Brokerage Services – Regulation Would Cause Consumers to Pay More for Real Estate Services and Reduces Consumer Choice
April 8, 2005
March 31, 2005
Justice Department Sues Kentucky Real Estate Commission for Limiting Competition Among Real Estate Brokers – Regulations Restrict Competition and Cause Consumers to Pay Higher Prices for Real Estate Services
Preregistration
The FTC will accept preregistration for this workshop. Preregistration is not necessary to attend but is encouraged to facilitate event planning. To preregister, e-mail your name and affiliation to CompetitionandRealEstate@ftc.gov.
The workshop is open to the public and there is no fee for attendance. For admittance to the conference center, all attendees will be required to show a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license.
For lodging considerations, see Local Hotels.
Call for Panelists
Parties seeking to participate as panelists in the workshop must notify both the Antitrust Division and the FTC in writing on or before September 25, 2005. Persons submitting a request to participate as a panelist will be notified on or before October 11, 2005, if they have been selected.
Antitrust Division and FTC staff will select panelists to participate in the workshop using the following criteria:
- The party has expertise in or knowledge of the issues that are the focus of the workshop.
- The party’s participation would promote a balance of interests being represented at the workshop.
- The party has been designated by one or more interested parties (who submit requests to participate by September 25) as a party who shares group interests with the designators.
For further instructions, see the Federal Register Notice.
Submitting Comments
Comments may be submitted either before or after the workshop, but must be received on or before November 28, 2005. Use the following caption on each submission: Competition and Real Estate Workshop – Comment, Project No. V050015. Comments may be submitted in either hardcopy or electronic format.
Hardcopy: Mail or deliver an original and two complete copies to both the Antitrust Division and the FTC:
|
ATTN: Lee Quinn |
Federal Trade Commission Office of the Secretary Room 135-H (Annex F) 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20580 |
Electronic: Comments that do not contain confidential material may be filed electronically. Comments filed electronically must be submitted to both the Antitrust Division and the FTC.
- To submit comments to the FTC, follow the instructions on the form.
- To submit comments to the Antitrust Division, send e-mail to RealEstateWorkshop@usdoj.gov.
If you submit comments in PDF format, please include a comparable text version in a separate file (Word, WordPerfect, or RTF format).
For more information, contact the agencies by e-mail:
- Antitrust Division: RealEstateWorkshop@usdoj.gov
- FTC: CompetitionandRealEstate@ftc.gov
Related Internet Site
FTC Web site: DOJ/FTC Joint Workshop on Competition Policy and the Real Estate Industry