NAR $120.3M Homebuyer Commission Settlement, How to File Your Claim by October 27, 2026
Homebuyers who purchased a home listed on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) anywhere in the United States may qualify for a share of a proposed $120,334,500 antitrust settlement with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and dozens of real estate brokerages.
You must file a claim to be paid, and you must include proof of purchase. The deadline is Tuesday, October 27, 2026, five days from this update. Doing nothing means no payment.
CLAIM BOX Deadline: October 27, 2026 (online, or paper claim postmarked) You need: a closing statement, settlement statement, HUD statement, settlement letter or similar transaction document File online (fastest): https://homebuyersettlement.com/en/Claim Official settlement website: https://homebuyersettlement.com/en Questions: 1-877-417-7662 or [email protected] Mailing a claim? Mail may not be postmarked the day you drop it off. The administrator advises mailing at least a week ahead, getting a manual postmark at a post office, or using Certified Mail. With five days left, file online.
Status as of October 22, 2026: The settlement is not yet finally approved. The final fairness hearing is November 2, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins in Chicago. The opt-out and objection deadlines (September 17, 2026) have passed.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Total settlement | $120,334,500 |
| Lead case | Tuccori et al. v. At World Properties, LLC et al. |
| Case number | 1:24-cv-00150 |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois |
| Judge | Lindsay C. Jenkins |
| Defendants | NAR and 30-plus brokerage companies, listed below |
| Who may qualify | People who purchased a home listed on an MLS anywhere in the U.S. where a commission was paid to any brokerage in connection with the transaction, during the applicable class period |
| Class periods | Vary by state and defendant; all end June 25, 2026 |
| Proof of purchase | Required |
| Claim form needed? | Yes |
| Official settlement website | https://homebuyersettlement.com/en |
| Online claim form | https://homebuyersettlement.com/en/Claim |
| Claim deadline | October 27, 2026 |
| Opt-out and objection deadline | September 17, 2026 (passed) |
| Final fairness hearing | November 2, 2026, 9:30 a.m. (can change) |
| Payment amount | Not fixed; pro rata from the net fund |
| Payment timing | Multiple payments over several years after final approval |
| Settlement administrator | Epiq |
| Administrator phone | 1-877-417-7662 |
Who Qualifies?
The settlement class is defined as:
All persons who purchased a home that was listed on an MLS anywhere in the United States where a commission was paid to any brokerage in connection with the transaction during the Class Periods.
Key points:
- It is about purchases, not selling. Merely having sold a home does not make you a member. Separate settlements cover sellers.
- Any MLS counts. The settlement says the class includes purchases of homes listed on any MLS, whether or not it is affiliated with NAR, including examples such as the Real Estate Board of New York’s listing service, the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, West-Penn Multi-List and MLS Property Information Network.
- “A commission was paid” is the test. The definition says a commission was paid to any brokerage in connection with the transaction. It does not say you personally wrote a check to an agent, so do not rule yourself out on that basis. Your closing documents show what was paid.
- Your agent’s brand does not decide it. Eligibility depends on the home’s MLS listing, the purchase date and the class period for your state, not which company your agent worked for.
- Both new and older purchases may count. Depending on the state and defendant, purchase dates reach back as far as 2006.
Who Is Excluded?
- People who validly opted out
- People who separately released the same claims against a settling defendant in a court-approved class settlement in the home-seller cases Burnett, Gibson, Keel or Hooper, but only as to that settling defendant
- The parties’ counsel, the special master for mediation, and the court and its staff and their immediate family
What If I Both Bought and Sold a Home?
Your purchase may still qualify. But if you are a class member in one of the seller settlements, you are excluded from this settlement for any claims released there, and you may not get a payment for those released claims.
Which Class Period Applies to Your Home?
The class period depends on the state where the home was listed and on which defendant the claim is against. All periods end on June 25, 2026.
Group 1 Defendants
This table applies to claims against At World Properties, Baird & Warner, Real Estate One, Silvercreek Realty Group, Equity Real Estate, NextHome, Realty Executives, Shorewest Realtors, Side, Engel & Völkers, The Keyes Company, Illustrated Properties, The Real Brokerage, Real Broker, Vanguard Properties, Fathom Realty, HomeSmart International, Realty ONE Group, Realty ONE Group Excel (Kempa and Associates), and The Agency (Umro Realty).
| Homes listed in | Class period |
| Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming | December 8, 2017 – June 25, 2026 |
| Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri | December 8, 2018 – June 25, 2026 |
| All other homes in the U.S. | December 8, 2019 – June 25, 2026 |
Group 2 Defendants
This table applies to claims against Anywhere Real Estate, Compass, eXp World Holdings, HomeServices of America, BHH Affiliates, HSF Affiliates, Hanna Holdings, United Real Estate Holdings, Douglas Elliman, and NAR.
| Homes listed in | Class period |
| Puerto Rico | January 25, 2006 – June 25, 2026 |
| Rhode Island, Louisiana | January 25, 2011 – June 25, 2026 |
| Wyoming | January 25, 2013 – June 25, 2026 |
| Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin | January 25, 2015 – June 25, 2026 |
| Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Utah, West Virginia | January 25, 2016 – June 25, 2026 |
| Arizona, California, Washington D.C., Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Virginia | January 25, 2017 – June 25, 2026 |
| Alaska, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington | January 25, 2018 – June 25, 2026 |
| Texas and all other homes in the U.S. | January 25, 2019 – June 25, 2026 |
What this means for you. Because the NAR group’s periods start earlier in most states, a purchase can fall within the class period for some defendants and not others. The official claim process is how this is sorted out. If your purchase is near a start date, file anyway and let the administrator review it.
A date check: if your purchase was before the start of your state’s period, or after June 25, 2026, it is outside the class period.
Related article: Arcadia Shooting, Teen Girl Killed in Apartment, Paul Anthony Cruz Jr. Critically Injured in Pasadena
How Much Could You Receive?
No fixed amount has been announced, and no one can promise one. Be skeptical of any website that gives a specific dollar figure per person. The official settlement site does not.
- The Defendants pay a combined $120,334,500. After deductions for fees and costs, the net amount is distributed pro rata to people who file valid claims.
- Your share depends on the total number of valid claims and on details specific to you, such as the number of properties you bought and the commissions paid in those transactions.
- The specific method is set by a Plan of Allocation, if approved, or another plan the court approves. A motion for approval of the plan (filed September 3, 2026) is posted on the settlement documents page. It is described as basing each claimant’s share on the purchase price and the buyer-broker commission, so a larger purchase with a larger commission generally means a larger share. Read the motion for the formula, because the court must approve it before it is used.
- The net amount will be paid in more than one payment over several years.
What Is Deducted?
Fees, costs and service awards approved by the court, plus the cost of administering the settlement, are paid from the settlement fund. Class counsel said it would ask for attorneys’ fees of up to one-third of the fund (about $40.1 million), plus litigation expenses and service awards for the class representatives. The court can award less. A corrected fee motion is posted on the settlement documents page, so check it for the exact request.
Who Is Paying?
| Defendant or group | Contribution |
| @properties | $750,000 |
| Baird & Warner | $264,000 |
| Real Estate One | $180,000 |
| Silvercreek Realty Group | $63,000 |
| NextHome | $155,000 |
| Shorewest Realtors | $465,000 |
| Equity Real Estate | $90,000 |
| Realty Executives | $135,000 |
| Side | $300,000 |
| Engel & Völkers | $800,000 |
| Keyes Co. & Illustrated Properties | $200,000 |
| The Real Brokerage | $750,000 |
| Anywhere Real Estate | $9,602,500 |
| Vanguard Properties | $235,000 |
| HomeSmart International | $600,000 |
| Fathom Realty | $250,000 |
| Realty ONE Group and Realty ONE Group Excel | $500,000 |
| The Agency | $300,000 |
| Douglas Elliman | $2,041,250 |
| Hanna Holdings | $8,250,000 |
| HomeServices of America, BHH Affiliates and HSF Affiliates | $30,000,000 |
| National Association of REALTORS® | $52,250,000 |
| eXp World Holdings | $4,335,000 |
| Compass | $7,331,250 |
| United Real Estate Holdings | $487,500 |
| Total | $120,334,500 |
These contributions go into one global fund. A buyer who used a particular company’s agent does not get that company’s money separately.
When Will Payments Arrive?
Not right away. The fund is paid in installments by the defendants, so payments are expected over a period of several years after the settlement is approved and becomes final. Appeals could add delay.
How to File a Claim
Deadline: October 27, 2026. Online is strongly recommended.
- Gather your proof of purchase. Acceptable documents include a closing statement, settlement statement, HUD statement, settlement letter, or other transaction documents given to you at closing. Use clear, readable copies. They will not be returned.
- Can’t find them? Ask your title or escrow company, closing attorney or mortgage lender for copies. Many keep records for years. Start today.
- Start your claim at https://homebuyersettlement.com/en/Claim.
- Enter your purchase details and verify your proof of purchase documentation as the form asks. Use your closing paperwork for the commission and price. Do not guess.
- Upload your documents and submit.
- Save the confirmation email and code you receive. Keep copies of everything. The administrator says claims may be audited and you may be asked for more information.
Filing by mail: download the claim form from the settlement website, complete, sign and date it, attach your documents, and send it so it is postmarked by October 27, 2026 to:
Homebuyer Antitrust Litigation Settlement Administrator P.O. Box 4258 Portland, OR 97208-4258
Adding documents to a claim you already filed: mail them with your claim number or online confirmation to the address above, or file a new online claim and resubmit all documents. Do not send originals.
Changed your address or email after filing? You must tell the administrator in writing at the address above.
Filing for multiple claimants or an entity? Email [email protected] for next steps. The claim deadline still applies.
Bought more than one home in the class period? Provide the information requested for each qualifying purchase.
Your Options
| Option | What it means | Deadline |
| File a claim | The only way to receive a payment. You stay in the class and release the covered claims | October 27, 2026 |
| Do nothing | No payment, and you release your claims against the defendants | N/A |
| Opt out | No payment, but you keep the right to sue on your own | September 17, 2026 (passed) |
| Object | Tell the court why you disagree | September 17, 2026 (passed) |
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
You stay in the class and release your legal claims against the defendants, but you are not eligible for any payment. You must submit a claim to receive money.
What You Give Up
If the settlement is approved and becomes final, class members cannot sue, continue to sue, or join another lawsuit against the Released Parties over the Released Claims. Those include state and federal claims arising from conduct that was or could have been alleged in the case, such as claims under antitrust and consumer protection laws and claims based on anticompetitive conduct relating to commissions paid to brokerages, or their effect on the purchase price, in residential real estate transactions.
The NAR release also covers certain related entities, such as NAR members, member boards, MLSs and some brokerages that meet specified conditions. These conditions include agreeing to follow certain practice changes. If you have a pending lawsuit against any defendant, talk to your lawyer immediately.
The Final Fairness Hearing
- When: November 2, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. (may change without notice)
- Where: Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604, or by phone or video
- Purpose: The court decides whether the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate, and whether to approve attorneys’ fees, expenses and service awards.
- Objections: The documents posted on the settlement website include filings by settling defendants responding to objections, including objections about settlement fairness. The court will consider timely objections.
- Do you have to attend? No. The deadline to file a Notice of Intent to Appear was September 17, 2026.
What Is the Lawsuit About?
The lawsuit alleges that NAR and certain residential real estate brokerages created anticompetitive rules that kept brokers’ commissions artificially high, and that the defendants took part in an unlawful conspiracy to put those rules into effect. The plaintiffs say consumers unwittingly paid inflated commissions, which harmed homebuyers by raising home prices and reducing the quality of buyer-broker services.
The defendants deny the allegations and deny violating the law. Neither the court nor a jury has decided who is right. The parties settled to avoid the risk, uncertainty and expense of more litigation.
The class representatives are James Tuccori, Courtney Foregger, Kevin Cwynar, Dawid Zawislak, Michael D’Acquisto and Alejandro Lopez, all of whom bought homes.
The Laws and Rules Behind the Case
This is general legal background, not legal advice. The court’s orders and the settlement agreements control.
| Law or rule | What it does | Why it matters here |
| Sherman Antitrust Act § 1 (15 U.S.C. § 1) | Prohibits contracts, combinations and conspiracies that unreasonably restrain trade | The main federal claim |
| Illinois Antitrust Act (740 ILCS 10/1 et seq.) and similar state laws | State-law antitrust claims | Pleaded in the complaint, along with substantially similar statutes in other states |
| Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (815 ILCS 505/1 et seq.) and similar state laws | Consumer protection claims | Pleaded in the complaint |
| Unjust enrichment | A defendant should not keep benefits gained unlawfully | Pleaded as a fourth claim |
| Clayton Act § 4 (15 U.S.C. § 15) | Lets people injured by antitrust violations sue for damages | Background to why antitrust suits can seek large recoveries |
| Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 | Governs class actions. Rule 23(e) requires court approval of a class settlement after notice, and Rule 23(h) governs attorneys’ fees | The reason for the notice, the claim process and the fairness hearing |
The fairness standard. Under Rule 23(e), the court must find the settlement fair, reasonable and adequate, considering factors such as how well the class was represented, whether it was negotiated at arm’s length, the adequacy of relief and whether class members are treated equitably.
How Is This Different From the Seller Settlements?
Earlier cases, including Burnett and Gibson (both in Missouri federal court), concerned home sellers. The settlement here resolves the claims of homebuyers that were not included in those settlements. According to the settlement website, it does not overlap with the existing seller settlements. Filing a claim in one does not file a claim in another.
As part of this settlement, the defendants have also agreed to maintain or extend certain business practice changes. The settlement agreements describe them.
Beware of Scams and Look-Alike Sites
- Use only the official website, https://homebuyersettlement.com/en, or the contact details above.
- You never pay a fee to file a claim. Be wary of third parties that charge to file for you or promise a specific payout.
- Do not call the court, the clerk, the defendants or their lawyers. The settlement site says they cannot help.
- The administrator says it uses encrypted connections and does not sell claimant information or use it for marketing.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
| Class periods end | June 25, 2026 |
| Opt-out, objection and Notice of Intent to Appear deadlines | September 17, 2026 (passed) |
| Claim deadline | October 27, 2026 |
| Final fairness hearing | November 2, 2026, 9:30 a.m. |
| After final approval and finality | Payments begin, in installments over several years |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a NAR homebuyer settlement claim?
October 27, 2026. Online claims must be submitted, and mailed claims postmarked, by that date.
Do I need proof of purchase?
Yes. Examples are a closing statement, settlement statement, HUD statement, settlement letter or other closing documents.
How much will I receive?
No fixed amount is known. Payments are pro rata from the net fund and depend on the number of valid claims and your purchase information, such as the number of properties and commissions paid.
I didn’t pay my agent directly. Can I still claim?
Possibly. The class definition refers to a commission being paid to a brokerage in connection with the transaction. It does not require that you wrote the check. Your closing documents show what was paid.
I bought my home before the class period. Do I qualify?
No. A purchase before the start of your state’s class period is outside the class period for that defendant group. Check both tables above.
Does the agent’s company matter?
No. Eligibility depends on the MLS listing, the purchase date, your state and the class period, not on which brokerage you used.
Did I need to be a NAR member or use a Realtor?
No. The class includes purchases of homes listed on any MLS, regardless of affiliation with NAR.
I sold a house. Do I qualify?
Not for selling alone. Seller settlements are separate. If you also bought a home, your purchase may qualify, subject to any releases you gave in a seller settlement.
Can I still opt out or object?
No. Those deadlines were September 17, 2026.
What if I miss October 27?
A late claim is not accepted under the stated deadline, and the website announces no later window. If you hit a technical problem, contact the administrator immediately.
Is the settlement final?
Not yet. The final fairness hearing is November 2, 2026, and appeals could follow.
When will I be paid?
In multiple payments over several years after final approval and finality.
Does this mean NAR admitted wrongdoing?
No. The defendants deny the allegations. No court or jury has decided who is right.
Where can I get help?
Call the administrator, Epiq, at 1-877-417-7662, or email [email protected].
Related Reading
- Keller Williams & RE/MAX Home Buyer Antitrust Real-Estate Settlement, Are You Eligible to Claim? Deadline is August 25
- How to Claim a Lawsuit Settlement Money? Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
- 10 Class Action Settlements and Consumer Settlements With October 2026 Deadlines
Each settlement has its own eligibility rules, fund and deadlines.
Sources
- Official Homebuyer Antitrust Settlement website (https://homebuyersettlement.com/en)
- Official settlement FAQ (https://homebuyersettlement.com/en/Home/FAQ)
- Official claim instructions (https://homebuyersettlement.com/en/Home/SubmitClaim)
- Official settlement documents page, including the Settlement Agreement, Long Form Notice, Claim Form, Preliminary Approval Order, Motion for Approval of Plan of Allocation, corrected fee motion and final approval filings (https://homebuyersettlement.com/en/Home/Documents)
- NAR announcement of the homebuyer settlement agreement (https://www.nar.realtor/press-releases/national-association-of-realtorsr-reaches-agreement-to-resolve-nationwide-homebuyer-claims)
- Sherman Act § 1, 15 U.S.C. § 1; Clayton Act § 4, 15 U.S.C. § 15 (https://uscode.house.gov)
- Illinois Antitrust Act, 740 ILCS 10; Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, 815 ILCS 505 (https://www.ilga.gov)
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_23)
Written by Israr Ahmad, Founder and Legal Content Researcher, AllAboutLawyer.com. This article is general settlement and legal information, not legal advice, and AllAboutLawyer.com is not a law firm. The settlement remains subject to final court approval. Eligibility, payment amounts, deadlines and release terms are governed by the official notice, the settlement agreements and court orders. Always confirm dates and instructions with the official settlement website or the administrator.
About the Author
Israr Ahmad is a legal content researcher with 4+ years of experience covering class action settlements and consumer rights cases. He has researched and published coverage of 2,500+ settlements using verified court records, settlement administrator filings, and government sources. Learn more about Israr.