Top Agent Network argues that office exclusives result in less inventory, less exposure for listings and less consumer choice while benefitting large brokerages
Trade group urges Realtor members of minority groups to get involved with professional standards enforcement at the local and state levels
Rules regarding public display of buyer broker commissions and lockbox access for non-Realtors were originally slated to take effect by the end of March
The new antitrust lawsuit, filed Friday in California, also names the National Association of Realtors, Realogy, Keller Williams, RE/MAX and several other companies as defendants
One agent told the discount brokerage: 'I won't bother to show [the listing]. Who's your local agent though because I'll make sure to tell people not to work with them'
Judge says ThePLS.com failed to plausibly allege the National Association of Realtors' Clear Cooperation Policy harms competition and consumers. To the contrary, the policy has 'some plainly pro-competitive aspects'
The trade group will create 'case interpretations' to help members and enforcement volunteers apply controversial policy changes if they're approved
The trade groups allege that it is Pocket Listing Services' business model that is anticompetitive and harms homebuyers and sellers
Suit alleges Clear Cooperation Policy is part of a plan to eliminate PLS as a 'competitive threat.' Trade groups say policy is 'not discriminatory' and promotes competition
Top Agent Network asked for the order two weeks ago in an attempt to stop the National Association of Realtors from enforcing the Clear Cooperation Policy
Trade group says suit 'has no legal basis' and that the Clear Cooperation policy 'promotes equal opportunity for all'
Trade group says discussions at the Virtual Realtors Legislative Conference will take place out of sight because volunteer leaders don't want comments 'misrepresented or misconstrued'
The trade group has quietly denounced the suits' claims in an FAQ to its approximately 1,100 Realtor associations
Mantill Williams and Susan Welter will be in charge of communications and creative content strategy, respectively