T
he courts are abuzz with activity this month, with a new order from Judge Stephen Bough in the Sitzer/Burnett case, a response from discount brokerage Homie in its suit against NAR, and another lawsuit challenging association membership requirements.

    Judge Bough is standing firm on his requirement that objectors to NAR's settlement must appear in person at the hearing. Despite multiple objections filed by over a dozen individuals, he has denied requests for video conferencing, citing his previous order. In his latest ruling, Bough wrote that parties must abide by his order and appear in person on November 26.

    Homie Technology, a discount brokerage suing NAR and four brokerages over antitrust violations, has responded to the defendants' motion to dismiss. Homie argues that it was damaged by rules and policies that systematically discriminated against real estate brokerages offering lower commission fees. The company claims it has standing because it can show it was injured by the defendants' conspiracy to maintain high prices.

    Another lawsuit has been filed challenging NAR's "three-way agreement," which requires agents to join multiple associations in order to use the MLS. John Diaz, a real estate broker in Modesto, is suing NAR, the California Association of Realtors, and others for damages and seeking to eliminate forced membership rules. Similar lawsuits have been filed in Michigan and Pennsylvania.

    The hearings on November 26 will cover NAR's $418 million settlement and HomeServices of America's $250 million settlement. Homie's hearing is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Central Time, while the NAR hearing is set for 1:30 p.m.