By Jody Godoy

\U.S. antitrust enforcers should consider blocking a bid by Compass, the nation's largest residential real estate broker, to acquire rival Anywhere Real Estate, amid a housing shortage, two Democratic U.S. Senators said.

Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon said in a letter to antitrust officials at the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday that the deal could contribute to high broker fees and limit access to home listings, hurting homebuyers who already face high costs.  

Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, and Wyden, the ranking Democrat on the Finance Committee, sent the letter as President Donald Trump faces pressure to address concerns about affordability, an issue he has repeatedly referred to as a Democratic hoax.

Spokespeople for the companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Compass Chief Executive Officer Robert Reffkin said last month the company believed the deal was pro-competitive and was confident it would secure regulatory approval.  

The $4.2 billion deal would combine Compass with Anywhere, which owns brokerages including Century 21 and Coldwell Banker. Afterwards, Compass would have 1,000 offices and 86,000 real estate agents in the U.S., and be a global player with 340,000 agents in 120 countries.

Less competition means less pressure to lower broker fees, Warren and Wyden said. Average real estate commission rates in the U.S. are around 5%-6%, which is nearly double the global average, according to the letter.

CONCERNS OVER PRIVATE LISTINGS 

Compass' exclusive listing service, where homes are available through agents before being listed publicly, would also put smaller brokerages and consumers at a disadvantage, the senators said.

"By keeping listings inside their own networks, large brokerages - like the one that would result from a merger of Compass and Anywhere - block rivals from this necessary input, weakening smaller firms and making it harder for new entrants to compete on equal footing," the senators wrote in their letter.

More homes have been privately listed in recent years, while fair housing advocates and Zillow have criticised the practice as opening the door to discrimination.

The Compass merger is one of several recent deals among real estate services providers. The DOJ cleared Mortgage lender Rocket Companies' acquisition of listing platform Redfin and mortgage servicer Mr. Cooper this year. The FTC sued Zillow and Redfin over a partnership it said would decrease competition.

"We are not just one part of the process, we are all of them. We are a homeownership company, bringing end-to-end integration to housing at a scale the industry has never seen," he said.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Stephen Coates

ARIZONA REALESTATE AUCTIONS

]Most homebuyers still don’t realize that the price of a home is often inflated long before they ever make an offer. Under the traditional real estate model, buyer agents were paid through seller commissions — and sellers simply built that cost into the asking price. The result? Buyers unknowingly paid more for the home, more in monthly payments, and more in interest over time.

But the rules have changed. With the recent post-NAR commission changes, buyer agent compensation is no longer automatic or guaranteed. Buyers now have to make intentional decisions about how they’re represented — and how much they’re really paying. This shift has exposed what many buyers never saw before: percentage-based commissions don’t protect buyers — they raise prices.

That’s exactly why Mountain Lake Realty’s Buyer Program exists. Instead of relying on commission structures that inflate home prices, we offer buyers a transparent flat-fee approach designed to keep negotiations honest and costs under control. When sellers aren’t forced to pad the price to cover a buyer agent’s commission, buyers gain leverage — and leverage means savings.

Here’s how it works in real numbers. On a $500,000 home, a traditional buyer agent commission can easily exceed $15,000, hidden inside the price. With Mountain Lake Realty’s Buyer Program, buyers pay a clearly defined flat fee and can negotiate seller concessions — often $10,000 to $15,000 — to cover closing costs, reduce their loan balance, or buy down their interest rate. That’s thousands saved at closing and tens of thousands saved over the life of the loan.

Because our compensation isn’t tied to the purchase price, our advice isn’t commission-driven. We focus on smart offer structure, strategic concessions, and protecting your bottom line — not pushing you into a higher-priced home.

If you’re buying in Arizona and want a smarter, post-NAR way to purchase a home, start with Mountain Lake Realty’s Buyer Program.
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The Gavel & The Sign: Slash Real Estate Fees With A Dual-Threat Auctioneer
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In a market where every dollar counts, Arizona homeowners are ditching hefty 5-6% real estate commissions for a smarter approach. A new breed of professional—a licensed listing agent who is also an auctioneer—is saving sellers thousands with a powerful combination of speed, competition, and a discounted flat-fee structure.

The Auction Advantage This isn’t just for distressed properties. An auction creates a time-defined sale, forcing urgency and competition among pre-qualified, serious buyers. This bidding environment can drive the final price higher than a traditional negotiation. Plus, properties are often sold “as-is,” saving you the time, money, and hassle of post-inspection repairs.

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When you choose Zillow Showcase, you’re giving your home a level of exposure and presentation that most listings simply don’t get. Showcase is designed to elevate your property above the competition with premium placement in Zillow searches, AI-powered immersive visuals, interactive floor plans, and high-end 3D tours that allow buyers to truly experience your home online. Zillow limits Showcase to a small percentage of listings in each market, so your home isn’t buried among hundreds of others — it stands out immediately and captures attention longer. This matters because today’s buyers decide which homes to see in person based almost entirely on what they see online.

And the results are measurable. According to Zillow’s own performance data, Showcase listings receive approximately 79% more page views, 76% more saves, and 91% more shares compared to similar nearby non-Showcase listings. That increased engagement leads to action — Showcase homes are about 10% more likely to go pending within the first 14 days, meaning stronger early momentum when buyers are most motivated. Even more compelling, homes marketed with Zillow Showcase sell for roughly 2% more on average than comparable listings, which can translate into thousands of extra dollars in your pocket. Buyers also have a simpler path to connect, making it easy for serious shoppers to reach out directly and schedule showings.

Zillow Showcase doesn’t just make your listing look better — it makes it perform better. It creates urgency, builds emotional connection, and positions your home as a premium property from day one. Instead of competing on price alone, your home competes on presentation, visibility, and buyer demand. With Zillow Showcase, your home isn’t just listed — it’s elevated, prioritized, and marketed to sell faster and for more money.

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Are you ready to sell your property faster, smarter, and for top dollar? Welcome to Arizona Real Estate Auctions, Arizona’s premier auction platform where we redefine the way real estate gets sold and bought. With our proven, transparent auction system, we create competitive bidding environments that drive real results—helping sellers achieve the highest market value while eliminating traditional real estate commissions so you keep more money in your pocket.
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Whether you’re selling a single‑family home, multi‑family residence, commercial property, or land, our certified real estate auctioneers handle every step—from professional listing submission and targeted marketing to bidder registration and dynamic online auction events that bring qualified buyers to the table. It’s efficient, it’s transparent, and it’s designed to deliver results in 30 days or less.
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For buyers, the auction process empowers you to bid with confidence, knowing you’re competing in an open marketplace where the price you win with is the price you pay. For brokers and agents, partnering with Arizona Real Estate Auctions protects your commissions and enhances the value you offer your clients.
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Join the many satisfied clients who have experienced a seamless, hassle‑free auction journey. Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s time to rethink real estate and take advantage of a smarter way to transact property—only at Arizona Real Estate Auctions.

Every listing with Mountain Lake Realty places your property into the MLS used by agents across Arizona, including major markets like Maricopa, Pinal, Coconino, Yavapai, and Pima counties. That MLS exposure is then syndicated to the largest real estate platforms online, ensuring your home gets seen by buyers who are actively searching. But MLS placement isn’t the only advantage. With select packages, your photos are professionally taken and presented in a way that attracts attention, and your open houses and showings are easier to manage with tools that make coordination simple. These added services help your home look its best and engage buyers more effectively, helping you sell faster and with confidence.


Control is another major advantage of the Mountain Lake Realty flat fee model. Unlike traditional agents who often dictate pricing, negotiation strategy, and marketing decisions, when you list through ArizonaMLSFlatFee.com, you remain in charge. You choose your price, your terms, and how offers are handled. You also decide whether to offer a buyer agent commission and how you want to structure showings. Buyers and their agents contact you directly to schedule showings and submit offers, giving you a direct line to the market rather than placing middlemen in the process. This approach not only keeps you in charge of your sale but also gives you a stronger understanding of buyer interest and market feedback as it unfolds.

Of course, some sellers want extra peace of mind during negotiations and paperwork. That’s why Mountain Lake Realty’s upgraded packages include contract review and negotiation support, so whether you’re new to selling real estate or simply prefer a bit of professional guidance, you have the resources to navigate offers confidently and professionally. With these added services, you still enjoy the flat fee savings but gain an extra level of support that traditional sellers would expect from a full-service agent—but without paying a traditional commission.

Mountain Lake Realty’s commitment to service doesn’t stop at listing and exposure. Throughout the process, our team is available to answer questions, assist with disclosures, and help you navigate the timeline from listing to closing. We work with sellers across Arizona, providing local market insights that matter in negotiations, home pricing, and buyer expectations. Whether you’re selling your first home, relocating, or downsizing, our flat fee MLS services are designed to give you professional real estate support with cost-saving advantages that traditional models simply can’t match.
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What truly sets Mountain Lake Realty apart is not just the financial savings, but the freedom and empowerment it gives to sellers. In an industry where the old way of doing business is still built around high commissions and bundled services, our model breaks the mold by unbundling services and letting sellers choose their path. You get MLS exposure, professional tools, optional marketing upgrades, and real support—all while keeping your equity where it belongs: with you. This model isn’t just about lowering fees; it’s about revolutionizing the way people sell their homes in Arizona.

In a market where every dollar counts and every selling decision matters, it’s time to rethink how you sell your most valuable asset. With Mountain Lake Realty and ArizonaMLSFlatFee.com, you get the power of MLS exposure, the flexibility of flat fee pricing, and the support of experienced real estate professionals—all without the high costs that come with traditional commissions. If you’re ready to sell smarter, keep more of your equity, and stay in control every step of the way, visit ArizonaMLSFlatFee.com today and discover how affordable and effective selling your home can truly be.
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REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS WORK

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The Arizona housing market is telling two conflicting stories. Here's a look at the ‘bifurcation’ trend in the housing market