MLS/Association News

Kevin Sears kicked off NAR NXT with an acknowledgement of real estate industry challenges and a message of unity. His go-to message: “We protect consumers.”

A case filed in Pennsylvania challenges membership rules and accuses associations of discriminatory treatment of minority real estate professionals.

A decision by Park City Realtors could signal a shift in local associations’ willingness to abide by NAR policies, and comes as the CCP debate intensifies.

A recent survey found that many agents are not satisfied with local association services and find MLSs less relevant in light of new industry rules.

The trade organization filed an official request with the high court today, asking for a review of an antitrust case that was ostensibly closed in 2021.

Three major Texas MLSs — Unlock, HAR and SABOR — agree to share data; REcore unveils new compliance product for buyer agents; Stellar subsidiary goes global.

In a fourth amended complaint, Top Agent Network has doubled down on its allegations that Clear Cooperation is anticompetitive and anti-consumer choice.

Johnson oversaw historic — and very public — legal cases for the organization, including the buyer agent commission lawsuits and sexual harassment litigation.

New owner aims to make Colorado’s largest MLS more subscriber-centric and simplify transactions as associations pledge “to create exciting new opportunities.”

Alabama Realtors wants members to have “greater flexibility” with their dues dollars. Without it, NAR faces legal risk and could “lose these members forever.”

The nation’s second-largest multiple listing service has been making it easier to enter the data (and keep it private). Is this the wave of the future?

An amended complaint by a former project manager adds new claims and details to sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation allegations.

Agents in four states — Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas — can now access 1.9 million shared listings, while REcolorado and IRES re-up their partnership.

With new industry practice changes now in effect, agents can face real consequences for breaking the rules. MLSs — and brokerages — are trying to help.

The association will ask the highest court to weigh in on the case after a lower court ruled that the DOJ could continue its investigation into NAR policies.

“We have to protect our brokers and agents” from the risks of violating the NAR deal to settle commissions lawsuits, said Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS.

“We have to act as an industry. We have to do something,” Jason Haber, co-founder of the American Real Estate Association, told Real Estate News.

The transformative newspaper exec moves into the permanent CEO role at the National Association of Realtors — the U.S.’s largest trade association — this week.

Consolidation has slowed, and data sharing is on the rise. Some members fear more competition for listings, but for MLSs, it’s “an expansion-based opportunity.”

Despite market headwinds and uncertainty around practice changes, NAR membership has remained resilient, with big gains in Washington state.