A Wichita Falls realtor has been in a lawsuit the past six months that could have changed the realty business across the country.

Get All the Details on the Wichita Falls Lawsuit Below

This afternoon several outlets that cover realtor news started reporting on a lawsuit involving a Wichita Falls realtor. Luz De Amor Eytalis works for Strategic Realty here in Wichita Falls and this past December filed a lawsuit against several organizations. the National Association of Realtors, the Texas Association of Realtors, and the Wichita Falls Association of Realtors. She claims these three organizations were violating United States Antitrust laws.

Eytalis Hit With $3,600 Bill from Wichita Falls Association of Realtors

It all started last year when Strategic Realty was hit with a $3,600 bill. "The bill was tied to agents who were no longer doing business, nor needed access to MLS services," according to a post on Reddit. The agents had no need for the service Eytalis claimed so she did not understand why she should have to pay this. If she did not, she would be kicked out of the Wichita Falls Association of Realtors.

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“It was clear they were trying to shut me down over an arbitrary fee, just to maintain their grip on power,” said Eytalis. “When I refused to pay another unjust invoice for an agent who never joined the board, they escalated their tactics, attempting to force me out again. That was the final straw. It wasn’t just about me—it was about the broader implications for every broker and agent who’s ever been pushed around by this system.”

What Was the Lawsuit Trying to Change?

It was seeking to address a series of unlawful membership agreements and anti-competitive practices that violate the Sherman Act, which prohibits monopolies and restraints of trade. Her lawsuit is based on the premise that mandatory membership fees for NAR and local associations, as well as exclusive access to MLS through NAR membership, constitute an unfair market advantage and a violation of independent contractors’ rights to run their own businesses.

Judge Ruled in Favor of the National Association of Realtors Yesterday

We are pleased the court has dismissed the case,” says NAR General Counsel Jon Waclawski. “MLSs are operated at the local level, and each MLS determines individual participation requirements. Similar to other national membership organizations, NAR’s integrated structure is fundamental to the value we deliver to members. It provides members with a unified voice on policy issues, a uniform Code of Ethics, and valuable tools and professional development opportunities that help members get to, and execute, their next transaction more efficiently.”

For more on this lawsuit, a post on Reddit gives great detail on everything that went on in this case. You can check it out here.