Two Florida homebuyers are taking Compass to task over its transaction fees.

In a proposed class-action lawsuit filed last week, the homebuyers claimed that the $475 “flat transaction commission” they were charged on their 2024 home purchase amounted to fraudulent business practices and was “scamming Floridians.” 

Jeff Efron and Milissa Efron, who purchased a North Palm Beach condo in June 2024, filed the lawsuit in Palm Beach County court and are seeking class-action status on behalf of all buyers charged a transaction fee by Compass in the last four years. 

The complaint claims their Compass agent amended the Florida Realtor-approved purchase and sale agreement to include a flat transaction commission, payable to Compass by the buyer, which they paid during their closing on Aug. 2, 2024. The Efrons claim the fee was included despite being told that their buyer agent would be compensated by the sellers. 

The Efrons claim that including the fee violates the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. 

The following month, The Real Deal reported that Compass was rolling out its fixed transaction commission countrywide, raising some concerns about how the newly-combined brokerage might use its size. During that time, Compass also unveiled a referral program that allowed listing agents to refer leads to Compass buyer agents and collect a referral fee.

“This has been standard practice in major markets, including Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., for years, and is done by many other brands in the industry,” a Compass spokesperson said in February of the transaction fee. 

Source: The Real Deal

Ford Realty Menu of Flat Fee Listings for Boston and the North Shore

Buyers receive 60% rebate from our portion of the broker fee

As a home seller, it sounds like you have a solid grasp of the current 2026 landscape for flat-fee listings in the Boston and North Shore areas. Here is a concise breakdown of how those Ford Realty tiers typically function based on the service levels you’ve identified:

1. Basic “Entry Only” – $500.00

• Visibility: Your home is listed on the local MLS, which syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, and local brokerage sites.
• Your Role: You are the primary point of contact. You handle photography, scheduling all showings, vetting buyers, and all contract negotiations.
• Best for: Experienced sellers or those comfortable managing real estate paperwork and logistics independently. 

2. Flat Fee (Assisted) – Starting at $1,500.00

• The Upgrade: The broker takes professional photos and handles the listing setup.
• Added Support: You gain professional guidance for the initial setup, ensuring the listing looks polished to attract higher-quality leads.
• Broker Role: 60-day listing, one open house per month, schedule day and evening showings. The negative is that the full fee is due after 60 days even if the house/condo doesn’t sell or go under agreement.

3. Full-Service – 1% Commission 

• The Full Package: Professional photography and floor plans are included.
• Active Management: The broker hosts one open house per month and handles day/evening showings.
• Logistics: They are physically present for the BFD smoke detector inspection and the home inspection, taking significant stress off your plate. 

Key Financial Reminders

• Buyer’s Side: Regardless of your flat fee, remember to factor in the 2%–3% commission for the buyer’s agent to keep your home competitive.
• Tax/Closing: Budget for the MA transfer tax ($4.56 per $1,000) and ensure all Condo fees are cleared to avoid delays at closing. 

BUYERS REBATE

Boston and North Shore Buyers: We provide a 55% rebate of our commission to you, as the buyer, for homes priced over 500,000.