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Utah-based flat-fee brokerage, Homie Technology, saw its lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors and four major real estate firms dismissed with prejudice. US District Court Judge Dale Kimball ruled that the case was filed too late and failed to prove its claims. The suit alleged anticompetitive behavior and steering by NAR, Anywhere Real Estate, Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and HomeServices of America.
The original lawsuit claimed these companies conspired against Homie through a boycott scheme, citing emails and texts from NAR members refusing to show Homie listings due to low commissions. It also alleged that NAR controlled the nation's Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) through policies like Clear Cooperation. However, Judge Kimball noted that the statute of limitations had expired since Homie challenged these rules in 2019 but didn't file a complaint until 2024.
The court also found that Homie failed to establish the defendants' participation in the alleged boycott scheme, as discussions were driven by individual real estate agents rather than the companies themselves. The judge wrote that affiliation with a defendant did not imply agreement to boycott Homie. NAR welcomed the ruling, stating it will continue to facilitate fair and equal access to property information while fostering competition among its members.
