NAR D.C. Circuit Petition Update

Louisiana REALTORS® • July 15, 2024

Update from Katie Johnson, NAR Chief Legal Officer and Chief Member Experience Officer

I am writing to share an update regarding our ongoing dispute with the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding its ability to reopen a previously closed investigation into NAR’s policies.


This dispute with the DOJ is separate from and does not affect NAR’s March 15 Settlement Agreement related to private class action litigation that, if approved, would resolve nationwide litigation over claims from home sellers related to broker commissions.

 

Friday, July 12, 2024, we received word that the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has denied our petition for rehearing. This is a disappointing outcome, and we maintain that its decision in this matter stands in opposition to years of precedent on the interpretation of government contracts and the bedrock principle that the government must honor its word.

 

You may recall we reached an agreement in 2020 to end an investigation into certain NAR policies—including the cooperative compensation rule and clear cooperation policy—provided that NAR implement four key rule changes. NAR began implementing the terms of the agreement in good faith. Eight months later the DOJ resumed that same investigation, violating our agreement. We subsequently asked the D.C. District Court to prohibit the DOJ from pursuing its investigation. While the D.C. District Court ruled in our favor, DOJ appealed that decision, and it was subsequently reversed by the D.C. Circuit in a 2-1 split decision.

 

In NAR’s petition filed on May 20, 2024, we outlined the far-reaching implication the D.C. Circuit court’s ruling could have, as it directly conflicts with precedent on these types of contractual issues. Anyone who finds themselves in a negotiation with the government could be impacted.

 

We are currently evaluating all remaining legal pathways that are available to us. We are committed to continuing to forcefully advocate for the interests of our members, home buyers, and home sellers and exploring all opportunities to hold the DOJ to the terms of our 2020 agreement. We will keep you informed as NAR Leadership decides on next steps. At the same time, NAR continues to focus on its mission to promote the value of REALTORS® and access to homeownership.


It is important to underscore that this dispute focuses only on DOJ’s ability to unilaterally withdraw from its 2020 settlement agreement with NAR, it does not address any of the Department’s claims about NAR policies or antitrust topics.


As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

When is the best time to move in Louisiana

A Louisiana Homeowner's Guide to Deciding When to Buy, Sell, or Move

By Louisiana REALTORS® • July 2, 2026
Thinking about buying, selling, or moving in Louisiana? Explore key factors that can help you decide when the time is right.

Consumer Guide Update: Defining Home Buying Needs vs. Wants

By Louisiana REALTORS® • July 1, 2026
It’s not unusual for people to enter the homebuying process with a priority list that needs to be whittled down once they see what’s on the market. NAR’s latest consumer guide, “Defining Home Buying Needs vs. Wants,” is a decision-making tool that can help. It’s a simple checklist to help home buyers identify their needs, wants and deal-breakers. Using the form, or something like it, will help buyers remember what’s most important to them as they view and compare homes. There’s even a fillable PDF available for download. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow up to two weeks for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Defining Home Buying Needs vs. Wants NEW: 10 Tips For Unpacking Smartly After A Move UPDATED: Multiple Listing Services Overcoming Roadblocks to a Sale or Purchase How Solar Impacts a Real Estate Transaction Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Check out the next consumer guide for sellers on how to ease the transition for the new owners.

Consumer Guide Update: 10 Tips for Unpacking

By Louisiana REALTORS® • June 18, 2026
NAR’s latest consumer guide, “10 Tips for Unpacking Smartly After a Move,” was developed to help ease the burden buyers may feel when surrounded by boxes. For your clients on the cusp of a move, the guide suggests establishing a priority unpacking order, wiping down each room before unpacking, discarding boxes quickly, having garbage and donation bags at the ready, and more. Share the new guide along with the companion guide “10 Tips for Packing Smartly for a Move.” As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow up to two weeks for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: 10 Tips For Unpacking Smartly After A Move UPDATED : Multiple Listing Services Overcoming Roadblocks to a Sale or Purchase How Solar Impacts a Real Estate Transaction Navigating Interest Rate Shifts Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Check out the next consumer guide on identifying homebuying wants vs. needs.
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