Payout: Varies
A $980 million settlement has been reached with some of the largest real estate brokerage firms in the U.S. over claims that they engaged in anti-competitive practices, leading to inflated broker fees for home sellers. The class action lawsuit alleges that RE/MAX, Keller Williams, and Anywhere Real Estate conspired to charge sellers higher fees for their services, violating antitrust laws.
In addition, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) faces a separate $1.8 billion lawsuit for similar allegations, including collusion and price-fixing through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which may have contributed to inflated agent fees and commissions. This settlement could potentially affect the 6% commissions typically charged for home sales.
The $980 million settlement involves contributions from several major brokerages and real estate companies, including:
According to Business Insider, Keller Williams and RE/MAX rank among the top real estate companies in the U.S. by sales volume, with Keller Williams at $336.59 billion and RE/MAX at $269.93 billion in 2019.
To qualify for a payout, you must file a claim by May 9, 2025. Eligibility requirements include:
| MLS | Qualified Listing Date Range |
|---|---|
| Heartland MLS | April 29, 2014 to February 1, 2024 |
| MARIS MLS | April 29, 2014 to February 1, 2024 |
| Columbia Board of Realtors MLS | April 29, 2014 to February 1, 2024 |
| Southern Missouri Regional MLS | April 29, 2014 to February 1, 2024 |
| Bright MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Carolina/Canopy MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Triangle MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Stellar MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Miami MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Florida Gulf Coast | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Metro MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Yes MLS/MLS Now | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Columbus Realtors MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Northstar MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Wasatch Front/Utah Real Estate | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| REcolorado/Metrolist | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Pikes Peak MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| GLVAR MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| SABOR | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| ACTRIS/ABOR | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| HAR MLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| NTREIS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| ARMLS | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| Realcomp II | March 6, 2015 to February 1, 2024 |
| MLS PIN | December 17, 2016 to February 1, 2024 |
| Any Other United States MLS | October 31, 2019 to February 1, 2024 |
The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a comprehensive system used by real estate brokers to share information about properties for sale. It includes details like asking prices, room counts, square footage, and other property specifics. The MLS is central to this class action lawsuit as it is commonly used by brokers and may have been involved in the alleged price-fixing.
The amount you receive will depend on the total number of valid claims and the final distribution of the $980 million settlement fund. Payments are typically prorated, meaning they may be adjusted based on the number of claims filed.
To receive a payout, you must submit a valid claim form by May 9, 2025. You can find and submit the electronic claim form at the link below or print and mail a paper form to:
Burnett et al. v. The National Association of Realtors et al.
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91479
Seattle, WA 98111
Claim Form Website: RealEstateCommissionLitigation.com
Please ensure that your claim form is accurate and free of fraudulent information. Providing false information can lead to rejection of your claim and harm others who are genuinely eligible. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, visit the class action administrator’s website for further details.