From hate speech to antitrust: The year in MLSs and associations

2021 came with Realtor misbehavior, rising legal and regulatory scrutiny and MLSs becoming tech investors after Zillow’s acquisition of ShowingTime. Continue reading

Court tosses REX antitrust suit against Oregon anti-rebate law

Judge said discount brokerage had made ‘compelling arguments’ that law hurts consumers and artificially inflates home prices, but that states are immune from federal antitrust laws. Continue reading

NAR launches website to enlist Realtors in ‘court of public opinion’

The National Association of Realtors’ legal team says members can help the trade group fight its antitrust war while the association fends off the DOJ, REX and various commission lawsuits. Continue reading

REX: ‘Outmoded’ real estate rules ‘struck a vein’ with DOJ

Brokerage backed by Chris Christie and Jeb Bush says agent steering by commission should “shock the conscience” of anyone interested in equity in housing. Continue reading

Why REX pays buyer agents and uses MLSs — sometimes

REX’s general counsel Michael Toth says the discount brokerage pays buyer agents in at least 40 percent of its list-side transactions. Continue reading

REX CEO calls on NAR to repeal ‘anti-consumer’ rules at conference

In an open letter, Ryan alleges the National Association of Realtors’ rules prevent hundreds of thousands of Americans from attaining homeownership. He called on NAR to repeal the rules at its Realtors Conference and Expo in San Diego in November. Continue reading

NAR vs. DOJ: A timeline of the battle as it stretches into 4th year

An analysis of the association’s petition offers a step-by-step timeline of the events leading up to the DOJ’s launch of a new probe into NAR rules. Continue reading

REX takes new jab at NAR in blistering ‘cartel economics’ attack

The discount brokerage struck on Wednesday following the National Association of Realtors’ petition two days earlier to compel the DOJ to uphold its antitrust settlement. Continue reading

NAR to federal court in REX case: Ignore the DOJ

REX calls out NAR for alleged “false assertions” while NAR alleges REX is blaming others for its “business shortcomings” and that “consumers are not interested” in REX’s services Continue reading

DOJ intervenes in REX antitrust suit against NAR and Zillow

The federal agency says NAR can’t use a 2008 consent decree to shield itself from investigation of its rules. Continue reading