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Fee Fallout
A new lawsuit says NAR’s fee game is locking agents out before they even get in
Splits and Caps Daily: Action for Agents
June 12, 2025
📈 Market Move:
Backlash Brewing
Alright, NAR just got slapped with another lawsuit — and this one hits where it hurts: the wallet. A California broker says the cost of staying in the Realtor club is way too high, and it's driving agents out of the game before they even get started.
Here’s the beef: to be part of the MLS and do legit deals, agents have to pay dues not just to the national group (NAR), but also their state and local associations. That can total over $1,000 a year. The lawsuit claims that this setup is anticompetitive and puts smaller brokerages in a chokehold. It also blasts the rule that brokers have to pay extra dues for non-member agents — even if those agents don’t use the MLS.
Translation? Big brokerages can afford the fee-fest, but smaller shops get crushed, and independent agents tap out before they ever get on the board.
This could be the start of a bigger shift — especially if courts start viewing mandatory membership as a barrier to entry. If you're a broker or team leader, now's the time to think: What does my model look like in a post-dues world?
🌟Quote of the Day:
"It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up." — Babe Ruth
⚡ Quick Win:
Schedule a Batch Day: Block off one morning this week to create 3 weeks of content. Film 5 short videos. Write 3 emails. Draft 2 LinkedIn posts. You’re not a content machine—you just need one focused sprint to feel like one.
🎉 Fun Fact of the Day:
Photo Finish: Listings With Pro Photos Get 118% More Views. No surprise here: blurry iPhone pics = less traffic, lower offers. Want more showings? Hire a photographer, not your cousin Kyle.
📚 Book Recommendation:
“Making Numbers Count” by Chip Heath & Karla Starr—Let’s be real — most people suck at using numbers. Not because they're dumb, but because they were taught to speak math instead of human.
Enter this book.
Making Numbers Count is a masterclass in taking dry stats and turning them into "holy crap" moments. Chip Heath (yeah, the guy behind Made to Stick) and Karla Starr show you how to make data hit emotionally — not just technically. It’s like Duolingo for translating spreadsheets into stories.
📊 Instead of saying “this house got 43,000 views,” say “this house got more views than Beyoncé’s latest IG post.” Boom. Now people care.
If you’re pitching clients, writing marketing copy, or just trying to explain why 6% isn’t the same as 5.5%, this book will instantly upgrade your communication game. It’s like giving your brain a marketing MBA — minus the debt.
TL;DR: Stop sounding like a calculator. Start sounding like a storyteller who wins deals.
Tiny wins feel small — until they don’t. Keep stacking.
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