Star Feud: Selling Sunset vs. Real Housewives Over Kanye West Mansion Drama!
REAL ESTATE ROYALTY RUMBLE: Selling Sunset Stars Embroiled in Commission Scandal
The glamour of Los Angeles' luxury real estate scene has hit a snag, and it's all about the Benjamins, baby! A high-stakes commission controversy is rocking the industry, pitting two of its most beloved reality TV stars against each other. Mauricio Umansky, CEO of The Agency and star of Netflix's cancelled Buying Beverly Hills, and Jason Oppenheim, of Selling Sunset fame, are at the center of a drama that's got everyone talking.
At the heart of this juicy scandal is the reported $30 million sale of Kanye West's former Malibu mansion. Amanda Lynn, a Los Angeles luxury realtor who appeared on Season 8 of Selling Sunset, was initially listed as the exclusive agent for the property. However, things took a surprising turn when real estate developer Bo Belmont revealed that he had hired Lynn on a limited basis – just to post some Instagram-worthy photos of the stunning concrete Tadao Ando-designed home.
But here's where it gets juicy: according to sources close to Lynn, she believed she was entitled to a 3% commission on the sale. However, Belmont claimed he only agreed to pay her 1% if she could find a buyer off-market without officially listing the property. But that wasn't all – Belmont also had a separate agreement with Umansky and Oppenheim, which allegedly left Lynn feeling blindsided.
"Amanda was pressured by Bo, Jason, and Mauricio to reduce her seller commission from three percent down to just one percent, in order to pay Mauricio and Jason their commission," the source told thescholarlynote.com. "She felt like she was being strong-armed into giving up a significant portion of her earnings."
But Belmont disputes this account, insisting that Lynn knew all along about his agreement with Umansky and Oppenheim. "Amanda knew they were my listing agents the entire time," he said. "They all agreed to the one percent commission." He claimed that he had only promised Lynn 1% if she could find a buyer off-market – and that's exactly what happened.
However, sources close to Lynn claim otherwise: "The two co-listed the property on multiple listing services like Zillow and Redfin, databases containing properties for sale," the source revealed. "They put it on the MLS before the closing date under their names, which allowed them to become official sellers alongside Amanda – giving them the right to their own commission from their separate contract with Belmont."
Umansky and Oppenheim's move has left many in the industry questioning their motives. Was it a clever ploy to get in on the action and earn themselves a 3% commission? Or was it just a honest mistake?
Whatever the truth may be, one thing is clear: this commission controversy is far from over. And with Kanye West's former home at the center of it all, there's bound to be plenty more drama brewing.
For those who don't know, West's Malibu mansion has an infamous past. The rapper bought the property for $57.3 million in 2021 before embarking on a demolition project that left many scratching their heads. He removed the windows, doors, electricity, and plumbing – essentially gutting the entire house. And to make matters worse, he broke down the walls, leaving the interior exposed to the elements.
Belmont bought the property for $21 million in December 2023 and is now planning to renovate it back to its former glory. But with this commission controversy still simmering, one has to wonder: what's next for this infamous mansion?
In a statement to thescholarlynote.com, Belmont said he hopes that eventually, he'll be able to restore the home to its original beauty and re-associate it with the legendary Japanese architect who designed it. "I'm not just looking for a buyer – I want someone who will appreciate the architecture and respect the legacy of Tadao Ando," he said.
But for now, the drama continues to unfold. Will Umansky and Oppenheim's commission controversy come back to haunt them? Only time (and the courts) will tell.
Thescholarlynote.com contacted both Umansky and Oppenheim's teams for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication. We'll be keeping an eye on this drama – stay tuned!
