The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has announced the resignation of its president, Tracy Kasper, following alleged blackmail threats. According to Kasper, she was threatened with the disclosure of a personal matter unless she compromised her position at NAR.
Kasper’s departure comes after only a few months in her role and adds to the challenges faced by NAR. She will be succeeded by President-elect Kevin Sears. This sudden change in leadership is another setback for an organization that has already undergone multiple changes due to legal issues and a sexual misconduct scandal.
Kenny Parcell, who served as NAR president before Kasper, resigned last year amid accusations of sexual harassment towards female colleagues. In 2023, a federal jury found both NAR and some residential brokerages liable for $1.78 billion in damages for colluding to artificially inflate home sales commissions.
The new development at NAR highlights ongoing concerns within the real estate industry regarding ethical practices and transparency.