Realtor Commissions Under Fire?

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Justice Department is threatening to sue the National Association of Realtors.

The Feds have threatened to sue the group to keep them from implementing a rule they say would erect a new barrier to firms that target the internet to reach customers.

The NAR's proposed rule would allow brokerage firms to block one or more other members of an MLS from putting the information on public Web sites, hurting their ability to attract business.

The Realtor's have planned to make the rule effective this July, though it had been delayed several times while they tried to address the government's anti-trust objections. At the same time, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission have warned several states about creating rules that would block discounters from offering a limited range of services for lower prices.

The move comes at a time when rising home prices have been increasing traditional Realtor's commissions. The move would appear to help such sites as LendingTree.com and RealEstate.com. Suche sites typically offer to find an agent for buyers or sellers.