Realtors’ Group, Brokerages Deny Collusion in Commission Case

The National Association of Realtors says a lawsuit alleging a conspiracy to inflate commissions misquotes industry rules, misstates their impact, and misunderstands the role of brokers.

The NAR and four residential real estate giants fired back May 17 at claims that they’re violating antitrust laws by barring brokers who represent home sellers from negotiating the commissions they pay brokers representing buyers. The brokerages named as defendants are Realogy Holdings Corp., HomeServices of America, RE/MAX Holdings Inc., and Keller Williams Realty.

“There is no such rule, either in name or in substance,” the NAR said in its motion to dismiss ...