Home sellers win $1.8 billion after conspiracy among realtors

More from this show

A federal jury ruled the National Association of Realtors and several large brokerages conspired to artificially inflate the commissions paid to real estate agents. This is a decision that could significantly change the home-buying process in the U.S. The realtors’ group and brokerages were ordered to pay damages of $1.8 billion.

Mark Stapp, Executive Director of W. P. Carey Masters of Real Estate Development at ASU, joined Arizona Horizon to discuss the lawsuit and what this could mean for homebuyers.

This decision could rewrite the entire structure of the real estate industry by lowering the cost of moving through reducing commissions. Sellers would no longer be required to pay their buyers’ agents, and agents would be free to set their own commission rates under the verdict.

“I think it’s a pretty big deal,” Stapp said. “We all are looking for a place to live, and those who are buying homes are pretty much dependent on the agents to help them find those homes, negotiate the transaction, et cetera.”

Stapp said this lawsuit is particularly important because real estate drives the economy, and it is a big part of finding housing.

“I don’t think realtors will be out of business,” Stapp said. “I think this industry is going to adjust itself.”

Mark Stapp, Executive Director of W. P. Carey Masters of Real Estate Development at ASU

A set of dog tags with the text: Arizona PBS, My Favorite Veteran

My Favorite Veteran: Help us honor those who serve

An illustration of two children planting seeds in a garden with text reading: Oct. 20-26, 2025, National Estate Planning Awareness Week

Receive your free Personal Estate Planning Guide

A graphic for PBS Books Readers Club of Richard Osman and his book,
Oct. 29

Join us for PBS Books Readers Club!

Graphic of an Emmy® statue with text reading: Arizona PBS nominated for 8 Rocky Mountain Emmy® awards

Arizona PBS nominated for eight 2025 Emmy® awards

Subscribe to Arizona PBS Newsletters

STAY in touch
with azpbs.org!

Subscribe to Arizona PBS Newsletters: