Commissions lawsuits

After a judge dismissed the Hardy case in Michigan, NAR and regional associations facing similar suits in other states hope the ruling will work in their favor.

The plaintiffs are trying to block Anywhere’s opt-in settlement in another commissions case known as Tuccori. The deal received preliminary approval in March.

eXp settled for $34M in the case known as Hooper, while Weichert will pay $8.5M. Both deals made in late 2024 received preliminary approval last spring.

The franchise giant will pay significantly less than Keller Williams, the only other brokerage to reach a deal with the homebuyer plaintiffs.

Plaintiffs in Davis v. Hanna Holdings claim that the firm “paid a bargain-basement price” to end litigation in the homebuyer commissions case.

In a March 11 filing, Zillow reiterated a request to pause the Taylor case. Meanwhile, five Gibson deals were appealed; Anywhere settlement approved in Tuccori.

Anywhere’s attorneys are asking the judge in the Batton case to not intervene in a proposed opt-in settlement with a similar case known as Tuccori.

Anywhere and three other brokerages opted into a separate homebuyer commissions settlement, but Batton lawyers claim it’s an attempt to settle “on the cheap.”

The formal approval granted in the Gibson case on Feb. 5 adds nearly $40 million to the larger settlement fund, which totals over $1 billion.

After five years of litigation, Keller Williams President and CEO Chris Czarnecki said the brokerage is turning its attention “back to what we do best.”

Arguments over damages and class standing led the Jan. 14 hearing. A ruling on whether to keep the landmark real estate settlements is expected by mid-2026.

The brokerage has joined a $3.2 million agreement involving 11 other firms, including @properties and Baird & Warner, whose cases were consolidated in October.

The department’s Antitrust Division has filed a Statement of Interest in Davis et al. v. Hanna Holdings Inc., a lawsuit filed by homebuyers last year.

On Jan. 14, a three-judge panel will hear oral arguments before deciding if settlements reached in the Sitzer/Burnett and Gibson cases should remain in place.

As final briefs are filed, it’s up to the U.S. Court of Appeals to decide whether the arguments merit unwinding the case that shook the industry.

The first Compass-Zillow hearing begins Nov. 18. Plus, Batton class status denied; Lutz trial date is set; Alexander brothers sex trafficking trial to proceed.

The judge in the Batton case berated plaintiffs over the inclusion of sellers in their proposed class, but suggested two possible paths forward.

Deals reached with Howard Hanna, William Raveis, EXIT, Windermere and Lyon will add $40M to the fund earmarked for home sellers’ antitrust claims nationwide.

Millions of homebuyers could seek tens of billions in monetary relief if a court grants class certification in a case that mirrors Sitzer/Burnett and others.

The fourth amended settlement in the Massachusetts case received final approval Sept. 29, and the MLS will pay $3.95 million to home sellers in the state.