Online Brokerage Redfin Cuts Ties With National Association Of Realtors

Redfin instructed its brokers and agents to resign from the National Association of Realtors in places where that is possible, according to a statement by the company Monday.

As a company, Redfin resigned its seat on the NAR board early this summer.

NAR President Kenny Parcell resigned in August after allegations of sexual harassment against him surfaced, and his accusers said that the organization failed to act on their complaints and in some instances retaliated against them. Parcell has denied the allegations.

Redfin, a Seattle-based online brokerage, cited the allegations along with a reported culture of intimidation and retribution as the reason for its action.

Not all of Redfin's roughly 1,800 brokers and agents will be able to cut ties with NAR.

“In about half the U.S., including in cities like Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Long Island, Minneapolis, Nashville, Phoenix and Salt Lake City, we can’t quit NAR individually or en masse, because NAR membership is required for agents to access listing databases, lockboxes and industry-standard contracts,” the company said in its statement.

In other markets, such as Seattle, Boston and New York City, Redfin agents will no longer pay NAR dues, which will cost the organization about $1M annually, The New York Times reports.

Redfin also objects to NAR blocking sellers from listing homes that don’t pay a commission to the buyer’s agent and blocking Redfin.com and other websites from showing for sale by owner listings as well as agent-listed homes.

NAR didn't immediately respond to Bisnow's request for comment about Redfin's decision.