Appeals court upholds dismissal of NAR mandatory membership suit
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a Texas broker’s lawsuit accusing NAR and state and local associations of antitrust violations.
September 9, 2026
MLS/Association News
The organizations, policies and decisions that guide residential real estate.
- FMLS, MARIS to share data; a new leader at Bluegrass RealtorsThe MLSs’ combined 72,000 subscribers will now have access to listings across Georgia, Illinois and Missouri. Plus, Bluegrass and Imagine MLS appoint a new CEO.August 25, 2026
- ARA co-founder on NAR’s strengths, staying open to collaborationThe American Real Estate Association doesn’t see NAR as a “rival,” but it aspires to be an organization that can “elevate the industry,” Jason Haber said.August 22, 2026
- ARA taps former NAR exec for top lobbying roleJohn Blount, who advocated for the industry on behalf of NAR in the 1980s and early 1990s, joins the association at a moment of fast-paced growth.August 14, 2026
More in MLS/Assn
- Illinois Realtors initiative targets state's housing deficitThe Housing Supply Accelerator Program aims to help community leaders tackle zoning and inventory issues. Plus, Stellar expands commercial listing distribution.August 11, 2026
- Canopy names new CEO; Bright adds growth leaderSteve Byrd, Canopy MLS’s current VP and CTO, will move into the top leadership role, while Steve Mapes joins Bright MLS as EVP of growth and strategy.July 29, 2026
- Largest local Realtor association gets even biggerMiami Realtors + RWorld and Martin County Realtors of the Treasure Coast are merging. Plus, East Tennessee Realtors adds SourceRE data management tools.July 29, 2026
- NAR outlines strategic plan progress: 'The goal is simple'The association detailed its lobbying efforts, legal wins, policy clarifications and more in its second update on the three-year plan adopted last fall.July 22, 2026
- NAR’s investment arm makes inroads with Mexican associationSecond Century Ventures has partnered with Mexico’s Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios. Plus, RACC joins Stellar MLS as a corporate shareholder.July 22, 2026
- Louisiana association matches NTREIS payments – for Realtors onlyNWLAR’s CEO says the move reaffirms “the MLS as the best point of entry for listings” and signals strong support for “the value of Realtor membership.”July 17, 2026
- Can NAR build an ethics-monitoring tool — and will it?The trade association’s use of AI for trademark enforcement is raising questions about whether such tools could also help flag member-posted unethical content.July 16, 2026
- ARA takes on first joint advocacy effort with Realtor associationThe ARA has joined Missouri Realtors in advocating against proposed amendments that they say could increase homeowner costs in real estate transfers.July 10, 2026
- NAR’s pre-market guidance stresses broker responsibilitySellers decide their listing’s level of exposure, NAR says. But brokers should explain how each option serves their best interest — and get disclosures signed.Updated July 10, 2026
- Bright’s new rules aim to provide ‘more options,’ ‘more control’The forthcoming listing status options — Registered, Office Exclusive, Coming Soon and Active — align with the MLS’s “Brokers FIRST” strategy introduced in May.July 9, 2026
- MetroTex to match NTREIS broker payments ‘dollar for dollar’The NTREIS shareholder says the announcement "represents a significant investment in the future of organized real estate.” NWLAR is considering a similar move.Updated July 9, 2026
- MLSs ‘a priority’ for NAR’s political advocacyNAR’s lobbying muscle is focused on ensuring MLSs aren’t classified as data brokers — but are recognized by federal agencies as “procompetitive infrastructure.”July 9, 2026
- Texas’ largest MLS to pay brokers in ‘deliberate pivot’The launch of NTREIS Rewards, which echoes earlier actions by other mega MLSs, aims to make broker participants “the focal point of the organization’s purpose.”July 7, 2026
- $100K for antitrust: NAR explains new MLS insurance coverageCyber liability? Crime loss? Antitrust allegations? New insurance offerings aim to protect associations and MLSs from these concerns and others, NAR said.July 7, 2026
- Pre-market, office exclusive listings guidance underway, NAR saysThe new recommendations will cover marketing strategies, disclosure forms, CCP compliance assessments and state-level legislation, among other topics.July 3, 2026
- NAR trades MLS advisory board for ‘work groups’One new group will tackle listing broker attribution, IDX and VOW policy modernization, and the “reimagining” of mandatory policies in the NAR MLS handbook.July 2, 2026
- CRMLS unveils ‘Limited Exposure Coming Soon’ option for sellersIn response to broker feedback, the California-based MLS has added a new option for coming-soon listings allowing sellers to forego broad internet distribution.July 2, 2026
- NAR: We are not abandoning MLSsIn a closed meeting, the trade group defended its new approach to partnering with MLSs and explained the actions it has taken so far in 2026.July 1, 2026
- New integration to give Bright MLS listings a boost on GoogleThrough a partnership with HouseCanary, the Mid-Atlantic MLS’s listings will be promoted nationwide in Google search results starting June 30.June 26, 2026
- NAR to MLSs: ‘Help us protect the Realtor brand’An association attorney said NAR is stepping up trademark enforcement. “We don't want ‘Realtor’ to become synonymous with ‘real estate professional.’”June 25, 2026
