The Burnett trial—the first of two buyer broker commission class action lawsuits against the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and several large, national real estate brokerages—began this week in Kansas City, Missouri. NAR is expecting a jury verdict by Nov. 10.

In a new REALTOR® Magazine article previewing the trial, NAR outlines the pro-consumer, pro-business competition argument the association will be making during the trial, what’s at stake for REALTORS® and consumers and the potential outcomes from the trial.

“NAR fundamentally disagrees with how class action attorneys are characterizing our rules. NAR’s rules and local MLS broker marketplaces very much benefit consumers and allow business competition to thrive,” said Katie Johnson, NAR’s chief legal officer and chief member experience officer in the article.

NAR has provided information that members can use to educate themselves, their clients, consumers and the public about the efficient and competitive local MLS marketplaces, that help provide housing to so many in this country.

The U.S. is the gold standard compared to other countries where agents search for suitable properties to fit the needs of their buyer clients, and where many buyer clients can get access to that marketplace no matter the size of the brokerage with which they work. All this is accomplished with fair housing and consumer protection baked into the process as well.

Learn more about the Seller Class Action Litigation including resources and information, potential outcomes and what REALTORS® can do. These are members-only resources so you will need to login to view.