R
ealty ONE Group is giving its Arizona agents a choice: keep their National Association of Realtors (NAR) membership or affiliate with Realty ONE Group AZ, a new subsidiary. Starting January 1, agents in eight metro areas can opt out of NAR and still access the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) through MLS Choice, offered by Phoenix Realtors.

    "We believe that choice and opportunity are essential for our agents," said Kuba Jewgieniew, CEO and founder of Realty ONE Group International. "Every agent has a unique voice and deserves to be heard."

    This move comes after Realty ONE Group settled a lawsuit in Arizona, allowing the company to avoid being dismissed from another suit. While not the first brokerage to offer NAR opt-out options, Realty ONE Group joins Redfin, RE/MAX, Anywhere, and Keller Williams in giving agents a choice.

    Several lawsuits have challenged NAR's membership structure, which requires agents to join state, local, and national Realtor associations. The Alabama Association of Realtors has even asked NAR to consider allowing members to choose which levels of association they want to join.