How Influenced Is The Florida’s Real Estate System?

Florida’s real estate system is often portrayed as transparent and consumer-focused. A closer examination, however, raises serious concerns about who the system actually serves.

This is now the second year that I have attempted to expose issues related to Florida Statute §475.278. To date, neither the National Association of Realtors®, the Florida Realtors® Association, nor Florida lawmakers—approximately 80% of whom have received endorsements from the Florida Realtors® Political Action Committee (PAC), one of the most powerful lobbying organizations influencing real estate policy in the state—have taken meaningful action or offered a substantive response. Therefore, I have decided to go public with this. As of 01/27/2026, seventeen (17) Florida news outlets have been informed about this matter. Nationwide outlets will follow shortly. They have received or will receive a copy of the email. A copy of the email is posted here.

Consider the following:

Despite these efforts, meaningful dialogue, transparency, and reform have yet to occur.

The pattern is difficult to ignore: industry influence appears to outweigh consumer protection, leaving Florida home buyers and sellers without clear representation, full disclosure, or accountability in one of the most significant financial decisions of their lives.

01/28/2026 – For the sake of transparency, particularly in light of the fact that approximately 80% of Florida lawmakers receive endorsements from the Florida Realtors® Political Action Committee (PAC), and that organizations such as the National Association of Realtors®, Florida Realtors®, and local state associations have remained silent on these issues, this correspondence was copied to 17 Florida news outlets. Nationwide media outlets will also be provided with a copy of this correspondence, as the concerns raised may reflect a broader, nationwide issue involving real estate representation, disclosure, and consumer protection—rather than an isolated matter limited to Florida. Read E-mail

01/13/2026 – Email to Representative Overdorf

Second Follow-Up and Request for Response by January 16, 2026 | Request for Explanation and Follow-Up | Approximately eighty percent (80%) of Florida lawmakers have received endorsements from the Florida Realtors® Political Action Committee (PAC). Read E-Mail

01/05/2026- Email to Representative Overdorf

Request for Explanation and Follow-Up |Chapter 475.278, Florida Statutes, Presumption of Brokerage Relationship. Read E-Mail

12/17/2025 – Email to Representative Overdorf

Chapter 475.278, Florida Statutes — Presumption of Brokerage Relationship | Approximately eighty percent (80%) of Florida lawmakers have received endorsements from the Florida Realtors® Political Action Committee (PAC) Read E-Mail

12/05/2025 — Conversation with Representative Overdorf
I spoke by phone with Representative Overdorf regarding the concerns I had previously raised about Florida’s real estate brokerage laws and the presumption of transaction brokerage under Florida Statute §475.278.
During the conversation, Representative Overdorf was unable or unwilling to provide answers to several straightforward questions concerning these issues. His responses—or lack of substantive responses—left the questions unresolved and, in my view, raised further concerns about whether the issues had previously been brought to his attention and why they had not been addressed.
Representative Overdorf also declined my request for an in-person meeting at his office with individuals knowledgeable about Florida real estate practices and declined to participate in a three-way telephone conversation to further discuss the issues.
The unanswered questions and the circumstances surrounding these communications are documented in greater detail in the email dated 01/05/2025.
[Read Email]

Approximately 80% of Florida lawmakers have received endorsements from the Florida Realtors® Political Action Committee (PAC); one of the most powerful lobbying organizations influencing real estate policy in the state. More than 98% of Florida Realtors^® PAC-endorsed candidates won their 2024 elections. 2025 special election endorsements await their outcomes.
“Our Realtor Caucus continues to grow each year as more of our members recognize the importance of having a Realtor voice in the room when critical decisions are being made about our industry and our ability to make a living,” says Gia Arvin, Florida Realtors 2024 President. “Tallahassee can be very unpredictable during the legislative session, but knowing we have 15 lawmakers who walk in our shoes every day and are looking out for our interests should give us all reassurance that the Realtor profession is in good hands in Florida.” Read the full article dated 11/19/2024 reported by Tom Butler

As of November 7, 2024, fifteen (15) Florida lawmakers with direct experience or familiarity in real estate regulation, including Florida Statute §475.278, brokerage relationships, and association issued real estate forms have remained silent, despite receiving repeated written communications raising consumer protection concerns. Read more coming soon

Following recent class-action litigation, real estate forms were revised or expanded. However, new loopholes were put in place that continue to allow brokerages to retain control, rather than strengthening consumer protections. Read more coming soon

Florida lawmakers have provided no explanation for their lack of engagement or action to protect home buyers and sellers, despite being contacted multiple times. Read more coming soon

The National Association of Realtors®, Florida Realtors® Association, and other state associations have remained silent on issues of representation and the financial benefits brokerages receive by avoiding fiduciary duties, even when those benefits come at the expense of service provided buyers and sellers. Read more coming soon

Beginning in August 2024, I raised these concerns as a Florida-licensed real estate broker with my local House Representative, Toby Overdorf, who is among the approximately 80% of lawmakers endorsed by the Florida Realtors® PAC. Read more coming soon

I also contacted my local State Senator regarding these same concerns. She, too, is among the lawmakers endorsed by the Florida Realtors® PAC. Read more coming soon