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NAR Statement on DOJ’s Withdrawal from Settlement Agreement Regarding MLS Rules

Louisiana REALTORS • July 19, 2021

In an unprecedented move, the Department of Justice withdrew its consent to the settlement agreement reached in 2020, which had resolved issues raised by the DOJ about brokerage commissions and the MLS system. Please see below for the official NAR statement on the matter:


“This is a complete, unprecedented breach of agreement by the Department of Justice to withdraw its consent from a fully negotiated settlement that had been approved by the head of the Antitrust Division and we had begun to implement. The National Association of REALTORS®’ rules and policies have long sought to ensure fair and competitive real estate markets for home buyers and sellers. Grounded in our commitment to act in the best interests of buyers and sellers, we regularly update our rules and policies to protect consumers and provide transparency. NAR has fulfilled all of our obligations under the settlement agreement and now DOJ is inexplicably backing out. If the Department does not live up to its commitments under the terms of the agreement, we are confident in our pro-consumer and pro-competition policies.”


Additionally, Leslie Muchow, NAR Deputy General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs and Antitrust Compliance, issued the video statement below:

Watch Video Statement

Please note that the FAQ and other information on the page above were posted prior to the withdrawal of the DOJ from the settlement and are no longer valid.


Furthermore, on Monday, July 19, NAR President Charlie Oppler wrote an op-ed, which was published by RISMedia promoting the real estate industry’s compensation model and multiple listing service while explaining their pro-consumer benefits.


"Commissions for real estate agents and brokers are negotiable. Always have been. Always will be. Let’s put that on the table right now,” Oppler writes in the op-ed, which was published by leading industry publisher RISMedia on Monday. “It’s the free market at work, and the reality is that the commission structure gives everyday Americans critical advantages they otherwise wouldn’t get. That structure is what ultimately makes it possible for many people to realize the dream and benefits of homeownership.” Click here to read the entire piece >>

Consumer Guide Update: Preparing for Homeownership

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 19, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on preparing for homeownership. This guide covers what prospective buyers should consider as they kick off the home purchase process, including the importance of credit scores, mortgage pre-approval, down payments, budgeting, and educational resources. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days 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: Preparing for Homeownership Escrow and Earnest Money Pricing Your Home Preparing to Sell Your Home Fire Damage and Policy Coverage Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with potential clients to ensure they have the information they need to be successful in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover property taxes.

Consumer Guide Update: Escrow and Earnest Money

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 14, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on escrow. This guide covers what homebuyers should know about earnest money deposits, including the general terms and use cases in real estate transactions. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days 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: Escrow and Earnest Money Pricing Your Home Preparing to Sell Your Home Fire Damage and Policy Coverage Flood Insurance 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 homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover preparing prospective buyers for homeownership.

2026 LR Officer Elections, RVPs & NAR Director Applications

By Louisiana REALTORS® • February 12, 2025
The Louisiana REALTORS® Board of Directors will conduct several elections this Spring. Interested candidates that meet the qualification who are looking to serve at either the state association level or the national association level are encouraged to view the criteria and submit an application. An application that is not submitted on the appropriate form or not submitted pursuant to the instructions shall not be considered as submitted timely.
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