If you bought a residential property in recent years, you could be entitled to cash compensation.

A combined $28.5 million settlement has been reached with real estate powerhouses Keller Williams ($20 million) and RE/MAX ($8.5 million).

Here is what you need to know about eligibility and how to secure your portion before the deadline.
 

Understanding the Lawsuit

The legal claim, Batton et al. v. The National Association of REALTORS et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that major real estate firms conspired to keep buyer-agent commissions artificially high.

Plaintiffs argue this practice stifled market competition and passed inflated costs onto buyers through higher home prices.

While Keller Williams and RE/MAX deny all wrongdoing, both companies agreed to settle to avoid lengthy, expensive court battles.
 

Who Qualifies for Compensation?

You may be eligible for a payout if you purchased a home that met two main conditions:

• MLS Listing: The home must have been listed on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
• Timeframe: Your purchase closed on or before April 14, 2026, and after your state's specific start date.

Eligible start dates vary by state.

For instance, Texas purchases qualify starting January 25, 2019, while buyers in states like Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania qualify as far back as January 25, 2015.

You do not need to have used a Keller Williams or RE/MAX agent to submit a valid claim.

Anyone whose transaction met the MLS and date requirements qualifies regardless of the real estate brokerage used.
 

How Much Can You Receive?

Individual payout amounts have not yet been fixed.

Your final payment depends on several key variables:

• The total number of valid claims submitted nationwide.
• Your property's purchase price.
• The real estate commission paid during your closing.

Approved claimants will receive a pro-rata share of the net settlement fund once processing finishes and the court gives final approval.
 

How to Submit Your Claim

Filing a claim is simple, free, and takes only a few minutes online.

You can submit your application directly on the court-authorized Homebuyer Litigation Website.

All online submissions must be completed by 11:59 p.m. CT on August 25, 2026.

If you prefer to submit by mail, paper claim forms must be postmarked by August 25, 2026.

If you purchased more than one qualifying home during the eligible period, remember to submit a separate claim form for each property.

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