By now, you are aware of the settlement agreement that NAR announced to resolve the claims brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions. As association executives, we are here to serve our members and help our association and our industry move forward. Since this announcement, you have truly stepped up to do just that. You have been on the frontlines supporting our members, helping them understand what the settlement means for them and directing them to important NAR resources.

At a time when many of our members are facing challenging markets, and are looking to us for answers, it’s essential to share with each other the most useful resources, programs, and ideas to help one another further understand and be able to communicate about the settlement. I, along with the Leadership Team, recognize that right now the constant noise and inaccurate reporting by the media is frustrating. I am sure you too feel that frustration.

A central source of information for the facts about the settlement is facts.realtor. The Leadership Team intends to continue regular updates to the site, providing AEs with the latest tools needed, such as FAQs, videos, an estimated timeline, and a fact sheet.

I also encourage you to continue sharing potential advocates who can speak on NAR’s behalf. Together with NAR’s communications team, advocates will help ensure our members are receiving the latest communication tools to address misinformation about our association and industry.

Non-members—such as clients and consumers—interested in learning more about the settlement can go to competition. realtor for the latest updates.

Additionally, you can visit ThatsWhoWeR.realtor to view the consumer campaign ads, and to leverage turnkey advertising and social assets. The campaign demonstrates the expertise of REALTORS® who help their clients navigate the risks, pitfalls and complexities of buying or selling a home or property, and it reinforces their expertise, commitment and consumer- first approach.

The Leadership Team is continuing to execute its plan to make sure you hear from them in the short and long term, engage with media and correct inaccuracies, and support state and local associations. I ask that you continue to speak out about the value REALTORS® bring to their consumers, keep open lines of communication with one another, and overall help NAR to share the facts about this settlement.

As always, thank you for all that you do—and please know that I am here for you. The entire Association Executives Committee is here for you as well. Don’t forget to take advantage of AE Chat Live, which is hosted monthly, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We’ll see you in Washington, D.C., May 4–9 for the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings.

Theresa Hatton headshot

Written by: Theresa Hatton, RCE, is CEO of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® and 2024 AEC chair.

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