Real estate entrepreneur fights for right to work in Nevada and West Virginia

December 19, 2024; Sacramento, CA: Today, Derek Eisenberg, a real estate entrepreneur represented by Pacific Legal Foundation, has filed two federal lawsuits in Nevada and West Virginia challenging both states’ requirements that brokers maintain physical offices within the state. 

Derek intends to expand his successful online brokerage firm – Continental Real Estate – nationwide, but outdated state laws threaten to undermine his plans. In West Virginia, for example, Derek must pay thousands of dollars a year just to maintain an in-state presence. Nevada presents additional challenges, as the state requires brokers to conduct their business from the actual physical location. 

“States shouldn’t stifle innovative business models that make everyone better off,” said Anastasia Boden, senior attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation. “In-state office requirements are antiquated and anti-competitive. Because they no longer serve any legitimate purpose, they deprive people of their constitutional right to earn a living.”  

“We offer something new and different for consumers: the ability to list and sell their property from the comfort of their homes and to choose whatever level of involvement from a real estate agent they need,” added Derek Eisenberg. “We operate entirely online. There’s no need for a physical office apart from antiquated state laws that keep us from growing.” 

The cases are Derek Eisenberg v. Sanchez et al. filed in the U.S. District Court of Nevada and Derek Eisenberg v. Ferro et al. filed in the Southern District Court of West Virginia.