NAR Facing Another Massive Lawsuit | The Real Word 330

Byron Lazine and Nicole White discuss the new Michigan antitrust lawsuit against NAR and state/local Realtor associations. They also address the increase in NAR's membership since the settlement. And they answer the question, "If you could get out of NAR today, would you?"

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This episode's sources:

Timestamps:

00:00–02:55 Intro
02:55 Topic: Michigan antitrust lawsuit against NAR and state/local Realtor associations
05:04 “This is a tie-in agreement…”
08:02 “This DOJ does not play with monopolies…”
10:54 “When someone is challenging you to be better, it’s not an attack; it’s an act of love.”
13:34 Plaintiffs argue the change greatly diminished the value created by being a member.
14:09 One of the things NAR has done well is advocate for buyers…
16:50 “Do you expect this to be the first of many?”
18:57 “The only value they have is the MLS…”
20:13 “NAR really drove a lot of brokers away from them when they…”
21:55 Topic #2: More agents are flocking to NAR since the settlement
24:35 Byron’s response to a Lawrence Yun quote: “This is where I have a problem with NAR…”
27:11 “If you could get out of NAR now, would you?”

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#narlawsuit #narsettlement #nationalassociationofrealtors

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[FernandaSilva-rxnr]

NAR is not doing anything for me as a Realtor, so I would definitely drop it if I wasn't forced to be a part of it.

[therealsamD]

Absolutely- if they create a practice change that requires us to prove our value to the consumers why shouldn’t NAR and state associations have to do the same thing.

[briandonoghue]

I'm a MA broker, and I've always referred to NAR as the Real Estate Mafia. They take dues money and, in my opinion, do not provide value in return.

[barttracy]

Finally some folks speaking up! Hopefully more states to follow so consumers are protected!
Two Michigan real estate brokers and an agent have filed a class-action antitrust lawsuit against national, state and local Realtor associations challenging the requirement that they belong to the trade groups in order to access the local multiple listing service.
The real estate professionals decided to file the suit after the National Association of Realtors came to a proposed settlement of multiple antitrust lawsuits, whose rule changes the pros say will harm agents, brokers and consumers.

[LivinginOceanCityNJ]

I would like to add my two cents when I found out that NAR invested $84 million to support political campaigns for Congress. I was appalled that money our dues went to politics. I didn’t give permission for that. I do not see any value for me to be apart of NAR . I’m in state New Jersey and my hands are tied every MLS that we have to be in is all connected. We have to be a member in order to be a part of the MLS.

[LauraLopez-uxtb]

NAR is definitely a fucking racket! They failed us.

[Onebillyi]

Thank you. I have been critical of NAR for years forcing us to join which is illegal. Your comments are exactly what I said in the broker only mls meeting today in Arizona. It got heated and they shut me down. I have been trying to get the troops on board to sever from the local boards, which would force them to make a decision about NAR. But all agents want to do is complain online and do nothing and say we should Sue. Well, thank God. These guys did a class action lawsuit. I would love to do that and have been trying for years but nobody cares it was like I was watching myself speak for your podcast right now. I said the same thing that you did the last 20 minutes. Good job buddy appreciate it.

[janetglauderealtor]

Preach it! We need to organize a realtor advocacy group within these associations

[susiesingersellshomes]

Absolutely correct!! Bigggger than what we can deal with! We are paying their bills for what? I don't even know that they are doing for us.. they sure didn't stand up for the local realtor in this arena of the course of the nar lawsuit..it's horrible and I felt like they didn't even have anyone who was actually working in the field on the panel, so there was no option to even hear our voice.

[pprepwithalethea]

NC Broker: January of this year, I sent an email directly to the prior President, before he had retired, requesting to negotiate a monthly payment until the NAR was able to win their appeal. I informed him that I had an ethical issue with paying a party whom had just been found guilty of a serious crime. He responded that the NAR was unable to negotiate their annual dues. I refused to pay and they disabled my access to my MLS - even after I had already paid my $150 quarterly fee for the MLS system. They would not grant me access to MLS until I paid the $600+ in NAR dues. They certainly didn’t care about my ‘ethics’ - so I don’t want to invest anymore time caring about their legal outcome.

[careyconnector]

Nicole with THE "Real Word" at 10:54 “When someone is challenging you to be better, it’s not an attack; it’s an act of love.”

[stayreadyfun]

Got licensed in December. NAR forces too many things on new and experienced agents, has zero connection with consumers, and evolving to attract members is missing from their brand strategy.

The uptick in NAR members comes from a failing economy when people are trying a new career, not due to what they OFFER ANYONE.

[Because.I.Said.So.]

I would 100% get out of NAR if I had choice. It's a racket.

[rickyg]

Honest question - What’s the value of being apart of NÅR after August 17th?

[eleengong]

I received a copy of the NAR settlement agreement signed by the plaintiffs and defendants attorneys, and in para 59 it states that the obligations of para 58 (all the changes we are making such as not publishing BA commission on the MLS) shall TERMINATE 7 years after the Class Notice date. I don’t hear anyone speaking to what I see as a light at the end of the tunnel …

[VIVEFLORIDAconClaudia]

No value for me and after this settlement I feel they didn’t fight for us. I wish I can be part of this realtors that sue them.
I can’t believe that we can’t even mention the word “commission / compensation” in social media, text messages between realtors, etc. This is not right

[davidtennien]

Yes!!! The NAR folded like a ham sandwich.

[VIVEFLORIDAconClaudia]

No value for me and after this settlement I feel they didn’t fight for us. I wish I can be part of this realtors that sue them.

[adamgillespie_ai]

"NAR functions like a government" 💯