Market Information August 1, 2022

The importance of using a REAL ESTATE AGENT!

Opendoor Agrees to $62M Settlement With FTC Over Alleged Deception


Opendoor Technologies Inc. has agreed to pay a $62 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations that the company was cheating home sellers with misleading claims about its home-buying service.

The FTC alleged that Opendoor, which provides a digital platform for residential real estate, used misleading and deceptive information to pitch potential sellers and that most people who sold to Opendoor made thousands of dollars less than they would have made selling their homes using the traditional process.

The San Francisco-based company said Monday that it agreed to the settlement and is “pleased to put this matter behind us.”

“While we strongly disagree with the FTC’s allegations, our decision to settle with the Commission will allow us to resolve the matter and focus on helping consumers buy, sell and move with simplicity, certainty and speed,” the company said in a statement.

The FTC claimed that its investigation found Opendoor misrepresented that it made money from disclosed fees when it actually made money by buying low and selling high. The FTC also said it misrepresented that consumers would pay less in costs by selling to Opendoor.

The company said the allegations are related to activity from 2017 to 2019 and marketing messages that the company modified years ago.

Opendoor shares slid 1.9% to $4.82, down 67% for the year.