All articles tagged with #brokerages
A proposed $1.6 billion merger between real estate giants Compass and Anywhere aims to create a $10 billion company with 340,000 agents, potentially increasing industry consolidation and pressure on small brokerages, while raising questions about market power and consumer benefits amid a softening housing market.
Hong Kong's stock market slump has led to a wave of brokerage closures, with 30 local brokerages shutting down this year and a record 49 closing in 2022. This comes as Wall Street banks also lay off dealmakers due to a decline in initial public offerings.
With Treasury bond yields reaching their highest levels since 2007, investors are finding near-risk-free returns in the Treasury market. They can purchase these assets directly from the government through TreasuryDirect.gov, or through brokerages and banks that act as bond dealers. While Treasury ETFs offer exposure to these assets, buying actual Treasurys is considered a nearly risk-free proposition. The TreasuryDirect website allows investors to purchase new Treasurys, while brokerages provide access to both Treasury auctions and the secondary market.
Real estate brokerages have increasingly embraced administrative fees, also known as transaction fees or regulatory compliance fees, which can range from a few hundred dollars to nearly $1,000. The fees are added on top of the commissions that buyers and sellers already pay their agents and are used to cover the costs of processing paperwork, meeting regulatory requirements, and handling other details associated with closing a deal. Critics call it a blatant cash grab, while proponents say it helps brokerages keep the lights on. The rise of the admin fee raises questions about how many additional costs buyers and sellers should have to bear, especially since home prices have increased by more than 40% over the past three years.