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A recently filed class-action antitrust suit against the National Association of Realtors, among other major real estate players, could spell a serious shake-up for the industry. If the claim’s plaintiffs win out? It may change the face of buying and selling real estate as we know it.

In Moerhl v National Association Realtors (NAR), home sellers from across the nation are claiming that NAR’s compensation policies—which require all member brokers demand blanket, non-negotiable buyer-side commission fees when listing a home on a Multiple Listing Service—is a violation of antitrust law. Realogy Holdings, HomeServices of America, RE/MAX and Keller Williams are also named in the suit.

Though Minnesota home seller Christopher Moehrl originated the claim, sellers who listed their properties on 21 different Multiple Listing Services across the country are also plaintiffs on the antitrust suit. These MLSs cover Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas and many of the nation’s largest housing markets.


The suit’s attorneys are currently soliciting eligible class action members—those who have sold a home on a named MLS in the last five years—at HBSSlaw.com.