The Web: Home-sales rules changing

Is it going to be harder in the future for you to buy, or sell, residential real estate over the Internet? Some experts think so. In interviews with UPI's The Web column, real-estate agents and lawyers say new regulations are emerging, primarily at the state level, that are preventing online discount real-estate firms from selling properties with fees priced below the industry standard of 5 percent to 6 percent. What's more, cutting-edge online sellers may be restricted from offering rebates or other incentives -- e-coupons to HomeDepot.com, for instance -- to entice potential buyers.