Compass transaction fee lawsuit faces voluntary dismissal

The homebuyers at the center of the $475 transaction fee lawsuit filed against Compass have filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss their case. The Efron suit, which was filed by Jeff and Melissa Efron in late June in Palm Beach County Court, accused Compass of “unfair and deceptive business practices” for allegedly uniformly charging “an undisclosed flat-fee to all Florida purchasing clients.” The plaintiffs reportedly paid Compass $475 when their transaction closed in 2024. The plaintiffs also claimed that the transaction fee they paid violates the Florida Consumer Collections Practices Act and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act because it is “unreasonable, illegitimate, excessive … or were for services which were not performed.” Additionally, they claimed that the purchase contract they signed during their transaction was the standard purchase and sale agreement approved by Florida Realtors and the Florida Bar that was later amended to include “additional terms.” They argue that “the modification of a contract approved by the Florida Bar by a non-lawyer is the illegal practice of law.” The lawsuit was seeking class-action status. Compass addressed the transaction...