S
everal companies not covered by the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) settlement agreement quickly agreed to settle a class action lawsuit, paying over $10.5 million in combined damages. Another lawsuit was filed on Monday against real estate brokerages and multiple listing services (MLSs), which was also settled for more than $10.5 million.

    The new lawsuit, filed by 14 plaintiffs led by Jeremy Keel, alleges that a conspiracy took place to enforce anticompetitive rules created by the National Association of Realtors, resulting in inflated commissions. The defendants include six brokerage companies and two MLSs that were not covered under NAR's settlement agreement.

    The eight defendants agreed to settle and filed a motion on January 27, which included a breakdown of damages: Side, Inc. ($5.5 million), Washington Fine Properties, LLC ($1.3 million), First Team Real Estate - Orange County ($1 million), House of Seven Gables Real Estate ($1 million), Signature Properties of Huntington, LLC ($850,000), Cairn Real Estate Holdings ($700,000), Central New York Information Service ($125,000), and Brooklyn New York MLS ($95,000).

    The defendants operate in various states across the country, with some having a national presence. The settlement fund, which includes payouts from NAR and other brokerages and MLSs, has exceeded $1 billion.