NAR's $52.25 million settlement avoids liability for thousands of local associations and MLSs

State and local Realtor associations, Realtor-owned and non-Realtor-owned multiple listing services (MLSs), and real estate brokerages with a Realtor as principal are now eligible for a release of liability in the homebuyer commission antitrust lawsuit Tuccori v. At World Properties. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed to a proposed settlement that allows these entities to opt in to a master settlement framework.

NAR was not a defendant in the Tuccori case, but elected to engage in the opt-in process to resolve homebuyer claims and reduce financial exposure. The trade group will contribute $52.25 million to a settlement fund over several years.

To qualify for the release of liability, participants must meet eligibility criteria, including compliance with NAR rules and policies. The agreement requires continued compliance with the business practice changes established in the Sitzer/Burnett settlement, but imposes no new practice changes for agents and brokers.

NAR's legal team will now seek a stay in the Batton homebuyer commission case, claiming the Tuccori settlement is intended to release the claims asserted in that litigation.

Payments into the fund will begin in bulk after June 2028, following the final payment of the Sitzer/Burnett settlement in February 2028.