Fee Debate Wont DieAt night, vampires rise from their coffins. When the moon is full, tortured men turn into werewolves. But what, pray tell, prompted the controversy over broker compensation to rise from the dead and run amok? Is it political opportunism? Na?ve ignorance of "the way its always been done" in the industry? Or is it buyer mistrust of intermediaries coming to a head again?

Tongues are wagging furiously about the various government probes and where they might be heading. I fanned the flames by suggesting that it might be time to reconsider the inherently conflicted system of commission-based compensation and perhaps replace it with negotiated feesat least for those buyers sophisticated enough and willing to go that route.

Will the changes ahead be that radical? Or will minor fines be levied for show and inconsequential reforms hoisted on brokers? Two reader e-mails I received about the fee debate and its implications are worth sharing.

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