Redfin is severing its ties with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) following allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination within NAR. The online brokerage has mandated that its brokers and agents cancel their memberships and cease paying NAR dues, effective immediately, The New York Times reports.
In addition to recent sexual assault allegations, NAR is currently the subject of multiple lawsuits claiming its policies violate antitrust laws and inflate fees that home sellers must pay to buyers’ agents as part of the sales process. Redfin's move underscores growing concerns over the way NAR is handling the allegations and its position within the real estate industry as the largest professional organization in the U.S.
Mantill Williams, a spokesman for N.A.R., said in an emailed statement that the organization respected Redfin’s decision. But he insisted that N.A.R.’s policies on agent compensation, as well as its requirements that many agents pay dues to access home listing databases, were “considered the best value in the world.”
“N.A.R. stands by its pro-consumer, pro-competitive guidance for affiliated local broker marketplaces that ensure equity, efficiency, transparency and market-driven pricing options for home buyers and sellers,” Mr. Williams said.
He declined to comment on the allegations of sexual harassment and their influence on Redfin’s decision.
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