Keller Williams & RE/MAX Home Buyer Antitrust Real-Estate Settlement, Are You Eligible to Claim? Deadline is August 25

If you purchased a home listed on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) anywhere in the United States since as far back as 2006, you may be eligible for a cash payment. Keller Williams Realty LLC and RE/MAX LLC have agreed to pay a combined $28,500,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging they conspired to keep real estate broker commissions artificially high. The claim deadline is August 25, 2026, and proof of your home purchase is required.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$28,500,000 ($20M from Keller Williams + $8.5M from RE/MAX)
Claim Deadline	August 25, 2026
Who Qualifies	U.S. home buyers who purchased MLS-listed residential property during state statutory periods since 2006
Payout Per Person	Pro-rata share — varies based on total valid claims filed
Proof Required	Yes — closing statement, HUD statement, or other transaction documents showing commissions paid
Settlement Status	Preliminarily Approved — Open for Claims
Administrator	A.B. Data, Ltd.
Official Website	homebuyerlitigation.com

Current Status & What Happens Next

• The Court has preliminarily approved the settlements. Judge LaShonda A. Hunt of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, is overseeing the case.
• The opt-out deadline is June 23, 2026, and the fairness hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2026.
• If the Court approves the settlements at the hearing, there may be appeals. It can sometimes take a year or more for the appellate process to conclude before payments are distributed.

What Is the Keller Williams and RE/MAX Lawsuit About?

Plaintiffs brought this action against NAR, Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Anywhere Real Estate, alleging that defendants conspired to substantially reduce competition in the market for buyer-agent services in a way that inflated home prices to the detriment of home buyers. The lawsuit alleged that the conspiracy enabled brokers to raise, fix, and maintain buyer-agent compensation at artificially high levels that would not exist in a competitive marketplace, which in turn caused home buyers to pay higher prices.

The lawsuit also alleged that this conspiracy enabled brokers to steer home buyers away from lower-commission homes. The case brought several state and federal antitrust claims and covers millions of home buyers across the United States.

Keller Williams and RE/MAX dispute the plaintiffs’ allegations and deny any conspiracy to inflate home prices or violation of any laws. Nevertheless, to avoid the uncertainty and expense of further litigation, both companies have agreed to settle. The plaintiffs claim this practice led to inflated home prices and reduced the quality of buyer-broker services.

Related article: Wayfair False Advertising Return Policy Class Action Lawsuit, How to Join And You Should Know

Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?

The Court has decided that everyone who fits the following description is a class member: all persons, including entities, who purchased residential real estate in the United States, from the beginning of the applicable state statutory period through April 14, 2026, where that home was listed on a multiple listing service (MLS).

• You may qualify if you purchased a residential home listed on an MLS during your state’s statutory period (see table below).
• You may qualify if a commission was paid to a real estate agent or broker as part of your transaction.
• You may qualify if you are an individual buyer or an entity (such as an LLC or trust) that purchased residential real estate.
• You may NOT qualify if you were a home seller — this settlement specifically covers home buyers.
• You may NOT qualify if you are a Defendant or affiliate of a Defendant, or if you are a RE/MAX settlement class member from the separate Burnett seller-side settlement.

State-by-State Eligibility Periods

The state statutory periods that determine your eligibility start date are as follows:

• Texas: January 25, 2019 – April 14, 2026
• Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, Oklahoma, Washington: January 25, 2018 – April 14, 2026
• Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Virginia, DC, Delaware, Georgia: January 25, 2017 – April 14, 2026
• Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Utah, West Virginia, Kentucky: January 25, 2016 – April 14, 2026
• Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin, Alabama, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio: January 25, 2015 – April 14, 2026
• Wyoming: January 25, 2013 – April 14, 2026
• Rhode Island, Louisiana: January 25, 2011 – April 14, 2026
• Puerto Rico: January 25, 2006 – April 14, 2026

Tip: If you purchased multiple homes during the eligible period, a separate claim form is required for each home purchased.

How Much Can You Receive?

Class members can submit a claim to receive a pro-rata cash payment from the net settlement fund. The payment amount will be determined by the total number of claims filed, the number of properties purchased by each claimant, and the amount of commissions paid.

The $28,500,000 settlement fund breaks down as follows:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys’ fees: Up to $9,500,000
• Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $4,500,000
• Future litigation fees and expenses: Up to $500,000
• Service awards to class representatives: Up to $5,000 per representative per settlement
• Payments to approved claimants: Remaining settlement funds after the above deductions

The final per-person amount is unknown until all claims are counted and validated. Buyers who paid higher commissions or purchased more expensive homes will generally receive a larger pro-rata share since payouts scale with documented commission amounts.

Payout options include a virtual debit card, a paper check mailed to your address, PayPal, or Venmo.

How to File a Claim

Step 1 — Visit the official settlement website at homebuyerlitigation.com/claim-form

Step 2 — Complete the online claim form, or download the PDF form to mail to the administrator

Step 3 — Enter the address of each home purchased, the purchase date, and the total purchase price

Step 4 — Enter the total commission paid and the amount paid specifically to the buyer-side broker

Step 5 — Upload or attach proof of payment documentation (see accepted documents below)

Step 6 — Submit your claim and save your confirmation number for your records

Accepted documentation includes: closing statements, settlement statements, HUD statements, settlement letters, and other transaction documents showing the date of purchase, address, and fees paid to all real estate agents or brokers involved in the transaction.

Mail option: Home Buyer Litigation Claims Administrator, c/o A.B. Data, Ltd., PO Box 173065, Milwaukee, WI 53217 Phone: 1-800-329-4562 Email: [email protected]

Estimated time to complete: 10–20 minutes per property (longer if locating closing documents)

Important Deadlines & Dates

Milestone	Date
Case Originally Filed	January 25, 2021
Preliminary Approval Granted	TBD (announced April 2026)
Claims Period Opens	April 14, 2026
Opt-Out Deadline	June 23, 2026
Objection Deadline	June 23, 2026
Attorney Fee Motion Filed	On or before July 21, 2026
Fairness Hearing	July 28, 2026
Claim Filing Deadline	August 25, 2026
Expected Payment Date	TBD — after final approval and any appeals

What Happens If You Do Nothing?

You are automatically a member of the Settlement Class if you fit the class description. However, if you do not submit a timely and valid claim form, you will not receive any payment from the settlements. You will nevertheless be bound by past and future court rulings, including rulings on the settlements and their releases. In other words, doing nothing means you give up your right to compensation and your right to sue separately — without receiving a single dollar.

Does This Settlement End the Entire Lawsuit?

No. If the settlements are approved, the action will be resolved against Keller Williams and partially resolved against RE/MAX, but will continue against other defendants. The lawsuit remains ongoing against NAR and Anywhere Real Estate Inc. Keller Williams and RE/MAX have also agreed to cooperate in the ongoing litigation against the remaining defendants, which may lead to additional settlements in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?

 No. Class Counsel has already been appointed by the Court to represent all class members. You are not individually responsible for payment of attorneys’ fees or litigation expenses. You can file your claim directly on the official website at homebuyerlitigation.com at no cost.

Is this settlement legitimate? 

Yes. This is a court-supervised class action settlement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Case No. 1:21-cv-00430, overseen by Judge LaShonda A. Hunt. Always file your claim only through the official site at homebuyerlitigation.com.

When will I receive my payment? 

The Court will hold the settlement hearing on July 28, 2026 to decide whether to approve the settlements. If approved, there may be appeals, which can sometimes take a year or more to conclude. The Claims Administrator will also require time to process and verify all submitted claim forms. Plan for a wait of 12–24 months after the claim deadline.

What if I missed the claim deadline? 

If you do not submit a valid claim form by August 25, 2026, you will not receive payment. No extensions have been announced. File well before the deadline to avoid technical delays near the cutoff date.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

 Potentially yes. Settlement payments relating to economic damages, such as inflated purchase prices, may be taxable depending on your personal circumstances. Consult a qualified tax professional after you receive any payment to understand your reporting obligations.

What is the difference between opting out and objecting?

 Objecting means you tell the Court you disagree with some aspect of the settlement while remaining a class member. Excluding yourself (opting out) means you leave the class entirely, forfeit your right to payment, but retain the ability to sue Keller Williams and RE/MAX individually. Both the opt-out and objection deadlines are June 23, 2026.

Can I file a claim if I also received money from the Burnett seller-side settlement?

 Yes, you can participate in the Keller Williams settlement even if you were a class member in the Burnett seller-side settlement. However, you cannot participate in the RE/MAX portion of this settlement if you were a RE/MAX settlement class member in Burnett.

What documents do I need if I purchased my home years ago? 

Check your email archives, your lender’s records, and your title company for your HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure (CD) form. These documents list all commissions paid at closing. Your real estate agent, title company, or county recorder’s office may also be able to provide copies if you no longer have them.

Sources & References

1. Official Settlement Website — homebuyerlitigation.com
2. Official Claim Form
3. Long-Form Class Notice (PDF)
4. PACER Docket — Case No. 1:21-cv-00430 (N.D. Ill.)

Last Updated: April 15, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.