Editorial Board
Busting Up the Home Sales Cartel Is Overdue and Necessary
A barrage of antitrust actions and lawsuits are helping to loosen the National Association of Realtors’ grip on the industry. Keep it up.
It will get easier.
Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North AmericaThe housing market, a key driver of the economy, has struggled of late. Sales of previously owned US homes just had their worst year since 1995, and affordability recently hit a record low by one measure.
But better news is ahead for homebuyers. Pressure from the Justice Department and a set of lawsuits may finally succeed in restoring market forces to an industry that’s been in the grip of a powerful cartel for decades.