Thousands of homebuyers across the Carolinas could qualify for money from a $28.5 million real estate settlement. However, eligible buyers now have only days remaining to submit a claim.
The class action settlement involves two major real estate companies, Keller Williams Realty and RE/MAX.
The lawsuit alleged the companies participated in practices that kept real estate commissions higher than they otherwise would have been.
Those commissions are typically paid to agents during home sales. Plaintiffs argued the practices could have ultimately increased costs for buyers.
Both Keller Williams and RE/MAX deny wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Eligibility depends partly on when a buyer purchased residential property listed through a Multiple Listing Service, or MLS.
For North Carolina, qualifying purchases date back to Jan. 25, 2017. The same starting date applies in Virginia and Georgia.
For South Carolina, eligible purchases date back to Jan. 25, 2018.
In each case, the qualifying period extends through April 14, 2026.
Eligible buyers must submit a claim before the settlement deadline to potentially receive a payment on the official claims website here.
