NAR - Update
(DOJ turn of events)
NAR Commission Lawsuits: As the NAR commission lawsuits continue to pile on around the country, the DOJ may make matters worse. On Friday, the court of appeals granted the DOJ the ability to reopen its antitrust investigation against NAR. Although NAR previously signed a settlement agreement with the DOJ in 2020 in this matter, the DOJ is trying to reopen the investigation. NAR is contesting that the settlement agreement protects them from a reinvestigation. The DOJ disagreed and so did the court of appeals.
Although the recent lawsuit settlements may not have a huge impact on the real estate industry. This antitrust case has the makings of big drama! Not only could this put NAR in a financial bind it could mean sweeping changes in regulation and revenue. The DOJ seems to have real estate fees/commissions in its crosshairs.
In a statement sent to the Wall Street Journal, the head of the DOJ’s antitrust division said it was committed to fighting to lower the cost of buying and selling a home.
“Real-estate commissions in the United States greatly exceed those in any other developed economy, and this decision restores the Antitrust Division’s ability to investigate potentially and unlawful conduct by NAR that may be contributing to this problem,” Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter wrote. (Housingwire).
NAR can appeal to the supreme court, but this will definitely be something to watch in weeks and months ahead.