A report created for AARP and "analyzed" by the Consumer Federation of America's president and lobbyist, Stephen Brobeck, last year finds that recent real estate consumers don't know much about how the real estate industry works, but were mostly happy with the services of their agents (68 percent). Those who used agents and brokers within the last five years were even happier (73 percent.) Those who rated their own agents were downright ecstatic (84 percent.)

There are several things that are interesting about this report - first, why are we only just now hearing about it? The data are over one year old.

Second, the CFA has been a relentless critical voice against the real estate industry. Why say anything positive at all? Were the results of this report, which are overall positive for agents and brokers, withheld for a solid year for some reason?

The CFA has joined the Department of Justice, banks, third-party online real estate service providers and referral companies, the financial media and other consumer groups in demonizing the real estate industry for years -- was the delay because of a lobbying agenda?

A call to Brobeck went unanswered.

"Clearly, the public awareness campaign is working," says Steve Cook, spokesperson for the National Association of Realtors.

Among the findings:

• 36 percent of respondents know "a lot" or "a fair amount" about real estate agents, brokers and services.

• 26 percent knew that brokers might not represent their financial interests and that commissions can be negotiated

• 34 percent knew that the local multiple listing service is the most complete source of information about homes for sales

  For those respondents who had used real estate brokerage services in the last five years, the figures were improved:

• 58 percent knew "a lot" or "a fair amount" about real estate

• 44 percent knew that the MLS is the most complete information source about homes for sale

• 31 percent knew that brokers might not represent their financial interests and that commissions can be negotiated

Yes, that fewer people who used an agent or broker knew that the MLS is the most complete information source for homes for sale is positive. It shows that agents are doing their jobs by networking, working with non-represented sellers and buyers, online marketing through cooperation and public sites such as Realtor.com, and other means to get their listings sold.

Consumers also liked traditional services and rated them as useful:

• listing homes and helping buyers search listings (68 percent)

• helping sellers price homes and buyers evaluate these prices (58 percent)

• helping buyers visit homes (74 percent)

• helping sellers and buyers negotiate price (60 percent)

• helping at closing (67 percent)

Funny, there was no mention or consumer appreciation for other traditional services such as showing homes for weeks to buyers who end up buying from a FSBO or otherwise cutting the agent out of the deal; brokers shouldering legal liability along with their sellers for disclosures; or fronting the costs of marketing for the seller without a guarantee of getting paid back.

But that doesn't mean the report was all rosy.

Among other findings:

• 63 percent said buyer access to local MLS should require them a fee, but they should not have to sign a representation agreement

• 67 percent could see a potential conflict of interest when seller and buyer agents work for the same broker

• 60 percent of consumers disapprove of minimum service laws (as explained by the CFA)

• 55 percent of respondents disapprove of brokers serving on state real estate commissions

• 30 percent knew that real estate commissions regulate the industry

• 41 percent thought commissions are set by the industry or its agents

• 13 percent thought commissions are set by state law

Overall, the report was pretty favorable, particularly considering that most consumers had recent experience in buying or selling real estate.

But that didn't stop the CFA's Brobeck from grousing, "Taken as a whole, these survey data suggest that consumers value the services provided by agents and brokers, and have usually had good experiences with these agents and brokers, but that their views are positive in part because of their lack of awareness of specific industry practices that could harm their interests."