Demise of discount brokerage REX may be imminent, reports indicate

REX General Counsel Michael Toth did not directly confirm REX was closing, but blamed NAR and Zillow for the death of its business model and said its suit against both would continue. Continue reading

NAR heads into midyear gathering while under siege on multiple fronts

The National Association of Realtors, which boasts 1.5 million members, will tackle real estate’s hottest topics a week after suffering a series of legal setbacks in court. Here’s a breakdown of the agenda. Continue reading

‘Writing is on the wall’: Court tosses NAR counterclaim against REX

Judge finds the National Association of Realtors failed to allege facts to show how the discount brokerage specifically harmed the trade group’s reputation with its own members and consumers. Continue reading

New court ruling is both victory and defeat for NAR and REX

Discount brokerage’s antitrust claims survive after judge concludes REX “plausibly alleges that Zillow changed its websites because of NAR’s rules.” Continue reading

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