Realtor commission settlement: Do you qualify?

“As of August 1, 2024, settlements with 13 defendants have been preliminarily approved by the Court, for amounts totaling over $730 million."

The suit began when a group of disgruntled sellers contended that they felt as if they had no choice but to pay the agent who represented the buyers in their home sales. Adobe Stock

By Jim Morrison -- Boston.com Correspondent

August 2, 2024

Postcards have already been mailed to those home sellers believed to be eligible for a slice of that $730 million-and-growing class-action settlement the National Association of Realtors (NAR), several large brokerages, and Multiple Listing Services (MLS) agreed to in March. But if you didn’t get one, you can still check your eligibility and file a claim here.

It is a huge settlement that spans the country, involving numerous brokerages, MLSs, and different date ranges. Anyone who sold a home in Massachusetts using MLS between December 17, 2016, and February 1, 2024, could be eligible for a piece of the pie. People who sold homes in other parts of the country can check their eligibility in the FAQ section of the settlement website.

You can also call the settlement administrator directly at 888-995-0207 to determine whether or not you are eligible.

The suit began when a group of disgruntled sellers contended that they felt as if they had no choice but to pay the agent who represented the buyers in their home sales. When a Missouri judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, similar suits popped up all over the country, and the cases were combined into a class action.

The case was settled. And, according to a spokesman for Hagens Berman, the law firm managing the settlement, the settlement amount continues to grow and could even exceed $1 billion.

“As of August 1, 2024, settlements with 13 defendants have been preliminarily approved by the Court, for amounts totaling over $730 million,” the spokesperson wrote in an email. “Additional proposed settlements have been reached, including a settlement with HomeServices of America for $250 million. If approved, this would increase the total settlement amount to over $980 million. And more settlements are expected in the future.”

How much money eligible homeowners receive depends on the final amount of the settlement fund and how many people submit claims.

The deadline for home sellers to submit claims is May 9, 2025.