/PRNewswire/ -- Eligible individuals may obtain compensation from a $120,334,500 class action settlement involving the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) and several residential real estate brokerage firms (collectively, Defendants). A lawsuit titled Tuccori et al. v. At World Properties, LLC et al., No. 1:24-cv-00150 (N.D. Ill.) claims that the Defendants participated in unlawful anticompetitive behavior to increase, set, and sustain elevated real estate broker commissions, breaching federal and state regulations. The plaintiffs contend that this conduct injured homebuyers through higher property costs and diminished buyer-broker service quality. The Defendants reject any legal violations, and the Court has not ruled on the merits. The Parties have resolved to settle the claims and sidestep the risks and expenses of prolonged litigation.

Who is Included?

The Settlement covers all persons who (1) bought a home listed on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) anywhere in the United States (2) where a commission went to any brokerage for the deal (3) during the Class Periods, with limited exclusions. Class Period dates differ by state. Check the settlement website to verify if you qualify as a Settlement Class Member and can file a claim.

Does this Settlement include home sellers?

No. Separate settlements address individuals who sold homes, even if they also bought one. Those seller resolutions came from other cases such as Burnett et al. v. The Nat'l Ass'n of Realtors, No. 19-cv-00332 (W.D. Mo.) and Gibson et al. v. The Nat'l Ass'n of Realtors et al., No. 4:23-cv-00788-SRB (W.D. Mo.). If you belong to one of those seller classes, you are barred from this Settlement and cannot collect payment here.

What Does the Settlement Provide?

If you qualify as a Settlement Class Member, you may file a Claim online or by mail postmarked by October 27, 2026, to seek a Cash Payment from the $120,334,500 Global Settlement Fund.

The exact amount each member will receive and the payment timing remain unknown. Each payout will hinge on the volume of valid claims, the count of properties acquired, and the commissions involved in those deals.

Other Options

Opt-Out postmarked by September 17, 2026. File an opt-out request if you prefer not to join the Settlement Class. The Court will exclude those who opt out. The Long Form Notice on the Settlement Website details the process. Without opting out, you remain bound by the Settlement and related orders or judgments.

Object by September 17, 2026. You can object to the Settlement without opting out. The Long Form Notice on the Settlement Website outlines the objection steps.

Do Nothing. You will receive no payment and stay bound by the Settlement and any orders or judgments.

Which real estate brokerages are named in the Settlement?

Twenty-five residential real estate companies appear in the Litigation and have joined the Settlement. The full list appears on the settlement website FAQ page. The Settlement also releases all Released Claims against NAR and its affiliates plus other entities meeting specific conditions, such as agreeing to practice changes: (i) NAR Members, Associate Members, and Member Boards without an unincorporated MLS; (ii) Realtor MLSs and non-Realtor MLSs per the Opt-In Agreement; and (iii) brokerages with a REALTOR as a Principal holding NAR membership on the Class Notice date and a Principal who participated in any MLS during the Class Period, provided they had not settled or faced similar claims by April 10, 2026.

When will the Settlement be approved?

On November 2, 2026, the Court will conduct a final fairness hearing to determine approval of the Settlement, attorneys' fees up to one-third of the Global Settlement Fund plus costs, service awards, and objections. The Court will also review service awards up to $7,500 for each Class Representative. You or your attorney may request to attend, though attendance is optional.

For more information, visit the settlement website or call toll-free 1-877-417-7662.

SOURCE United States District Court Northern District Of Illinois Eastern Division