Page 16 - Stuart Exposure - November '21

Page 16, Stuart Exposure

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Zweben Law Group Kicks Off toilet paper, and yes even bikes. We are anticipating that bikes need. United Way of Martin County is the official coordinating

Bike Drive For The United may be in limited supply again this year, which is why we are organization for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots in
Martin County.
planning to expand the bike drive to include skateboards and
Way Holiday Project scooters – manual transportation that will help kids get out and About Zweben Law Group
go!” said Gene Zweben, Zweben Law Group. Located in historic downtown Stuart, Zweben Law Group
For the eighth year in a This year’s sponsors include Treasure Coast Running and has been dedicated to helping injured people receive the
row, the Zweben Law Group Casa Tequila. compensation they deserve since its founding in 2001. Led
is partnering with United One hundred percent of all ticket sales and donations go by Gene Zweben, the firm offers legal services in the areas of
Way of Martin County on toward purchasing bikes, scooters, skateboards and helmets. personal injury, wrongful death and family law.
the Zweben Law Group Bike The kickoff party raises a significant portion of the funds for the About United Way Of Martin County
Drive to make the holidays bike drive through ticket sales and direct donations in amounts United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve
extra special for local both large and small, but donations can be made at any time lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Since
families who are struggling from now until Dec. 13. 1972, United Way has been working to create long-term
to make ends meet. The goal Kickoff party tickets can be purchased and donations in social change and provide support to Martin County residents
of the monthlong initiative any amount can be made at United Way’s website: http:// by investing in programs that strive to: improve education,
is to raise enough money to unitedwaymartin.org/Bike. promote good health and support financial stability. For more
cover the cost of 300 bikes, The United Way Holiday Project engages the entire information about United Way of Martin County, visit www.
skateboards and scooters to Gene and Tara Zweben of community to provide toys for Martin County children in UnitedWayMartin.org or call (772) 283-4800.
be given to children in need Zweben Law Group invite you
through the United Way to their Bike Drive Kickoff Party
Holiday Project. on Nov. 18 at Casa Tequila.
To launch the endeavor,
Zweben Law Group is hosting a Bike Drive Kickoff Party at
Casa Tequila on the outdoor patio on Thursday, Nov. 18, 5 to
7 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include one beer or margarita and
heavy appetizers.
“Last year was a challenging year in many ways as we
faced shortages of items we never would have expected like
real estate

Treasure Coast Real
Estate Report

Major Disruptions Coming In How Properties
And Services Are Marketed
By Jim Weix
It is no secret that real
estate commissions paid by
sellers is dropping. There are
several agents and brokerage
firms on the Treasure Coast
advertising a 4 percent total
commission to sell your
property. But there is even
more going on behind the
scenes.
Several lawsuits have been
filed in the past few years challenging how commissions are
paid. The Department of Justice has also filed several lawsuits
against the National Association of REALTORS regarding some
of their Multiple Listing Services (MLS) policies.
Traditionally a seller would list their home and agree to
pay a commission. The listing agent would put the property in
the MLS and agree to pay part of the commission to whatever
agent procured a buyer.
Since the buyer paid no commissions, some agents would
tell their buyer clients that their real estate services were
“free.” However, it is argued, that in reality the buyer is also
paying a commission because it is factored in what the seller
will accept for a price.
Between lawsuits and proposed actions by the National
Association of REALTORS, this is what consumers are likely
to see in 2022:
1. Agents representing buyers will no longer be able to
claim that their services are “free.” This claim is considered
misleading, since the seller is actually paying the fee from their
proceeds from the buyer.
2. There will be more transparency regarding
commissions. In many cases neither the seller or buyer
knows how much each brokerage firm gets paid until they
see it on their closing documents.
3. It will become more common for both the seller and
the buyer to pay a commission to their respective agent. For
example, instead of paying a 6 percent commission, the seller
may only pay a 3 percent commission and the buyer will pay a
3 percent commission. Both the seller and buyer will be able to
negotiate what they pay their agent.
4. Agents will no longer be allowed to filter out the
properties that they send to buyers based upon the commission
paid them. Buyers will be provided with all properties that fit
their criteria, regardless the commission offered or name of
the listing brokerage firm.
Jim Weix is a broker associate with The Keyes Company. Jim
has 24 years of experience selling real estate full time. If you
have questions or want the services of an experienced expert,
you can reach Jim at (772) 341-2941 or jimweix@jimweix.com.