Our organization has long held the conviction that the practices underpinning the recent antitrust settlements involving major brokerages like Keller Williams, Century 21, eXp Realty and Weichert Realtors are not only unethical but also constitute a form of malpractice. These cases underscore systemic issues within the real estate industry that we’ve been vocal about for years.
The preliminary approval of settlements—$34 million for eXp and $8.5 million for Weichert—in the Hooper case highlights a larger pattern of behavior. Plaintiffs in the parallel Gibson case have alleged that these settlements were the result of “reverse auctions,” where defendants sought out plaintiffs willing to accept lower settlement amounts to avoid larger liabilities elsewhere. If true, such tactics reflect a manipulation of the legal process and a troubling disregard for fair outcomes and seller protections.
Our ethical stance against these anticompetitive behaviors led us to sever ties with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and our state association. We could not, in good conscience, remain affiliated with organizations that, in our view, have perpetuated practices detrimental to consumers and the integrity of the real estate profession.
Furthermore, we no longer affiliate with brokerages that uphold or benefit from the same anticompetitive principles—especially those designed to artificially inflate commissions beyond what is reasonable or right for sellers. We believe that the duty of a broker is to serve the best interests of the client, not to maintain outdated commission structures through coercive cooperation policies or exclusionary practices.
Our commitment is, and always has been, to transparency, fairness, and the seller’s right to a truly competitive marketplace. These recent developments only affirm that we were right to take a stand.
