The other issue is that in Austin discounters frequently pushed the work they should be doing onto the other agent. They havent found a business model that is more cost effective they simply found a way to force another person to do their work for them.

Some of the state rules are simply trying to stop agents from doing this. In Texas a sellers agent has to deal with the buyers agent. Before this sellers agents sat on the sidelines during a transaction and some buyers where dealing with both sides and having to explain the transaction and answer questions of the buyer and the seller. Its also problematic because the seller is asking for advice from someone that is legally obligated to protect the interest of their client, the buyer.