Department of Justice Opens Criminal Investigation Into “Housing Cartel”
Apr 24, 2024
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Criminal investigation into RealPage for possible algorithmic price fixing in the rental housing market. Discussion on anti-competitive practices and collusion in raising rents. Exploring complexities of pricing items in real estate and the impact of technology on market dynamics. Advocating for housing policy reforms and empowering local communities. Delving into human behavior, brain evolution, and the importance of expanding empathy circles.
The US Department of Justice is investigating RealPage for potential algorithmic price-fixing in the rental housing market, highlighting concerns about centralized schemes influencing rent prices.
Algorithmic pricing software platforms are reshaping housing dynamics by prioritizing profit maximization over local interactions, impacting affordability and supply decisions.
The importance of understanding localized dynamics and human interactions in setting rental prices is emphasized, contrasting with automated systems driven by profit motives.
Deep dives
Release of Chuck Morone's Third Book on Housing
Chuck Morone announces the release of his third book focusing on housing, co-written with Daniel Hargis. The book delves into the housing crisis and the complexities of the market's response to supply and demand dynamics. The author reflects on the manuscript submission and the excitement of receiving the first copies.
DOJ Investigation into Housing Market Price Fixing
The US Justice Department launches a criminal investigation into a major software company, RealPage, for potential algorithmic price fixing in rental property management. The probe targets large residential property owners allegedly colluding to raise rents and engage in anti-competitive practices. The investigation shines a light on centralized schemes driving up rent prices.
Impact of Algorithmic Price Fixing on Housing Market
The podcast spurs a discussion on the influence of algorithmic pricing on housing affordability. By automating rental rate adjustments based on market data, the software platforms alter market dynamics, shifting focus from local interactions to profit maximization. The system emphasizes revenue over occupancy, impacting housing supply and pricing decisions.
Chuck Morone's Personal Reflections on Housing and Rental Properties
Chuck Morone shares personal anecdotes about his grandfather's management of rental properties, highlighting the human element in setting rental prices. He contrasts personal interactions and pricing decisions with automated systems, illustrating the impact of centralized algorithms on the housing market. The narrative underscores the importance of understanding local dynamics in housing transactions.
Transformation of Market Dynamics by Financial Systems
The conversation transitions to the influence of financial systems on market operations, particularly in construction and housing development. Chuck Morone delves into the role of financing in determining pricing and supply, noting the shift towards income-generating financial products as drivers of market behavior. The discussion emphasizes the need for localized financial mechanisms to promote affordability and local sensitivity in housing markets.
The U.S. Department of Justice is opening a criminal investigation into a major software company called RealPage, which is described in the lawsuit as the “big tech” company of rental housing. It provides software that is used by landlords (and, typically, landlords who are large holders of rental property) to estimate supply and demand for their listings in order to help them maximize rents. The question is whether or not RealPage is facilitating algorithmic price fixing for some of the largest residential property owners and management firms—amounting to what DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb has described as a “housing cartel.” And since Strong Towns has just released Escaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis, we figured there was no better time to discuss this story than now.