A
Georgia judge has cleared the way for four brokerage settlements in the commissions lawsuits to move forward. U.S. District Court Judge Mark Cohen granted preliminary approval to the deals, including contentious agreements between eXp and Weichert. In a May 23 filing, Cohen ruled that his court had jurisdiction over the proposed settlement agreements and that they met the criteria for preliminary approval. A final approval hearing is scheduled for October 28 in Atlanta.

    eXp stated it was satisfied with the outcome, citing its consistent denial of antitrust liability or wrongdoing. The company looks forward to obtaining a final judicial approval of its $34 million settlement. The other settlements include Mark Spain Real Estate's $800,000 deal and Atlanta Communities Real Estate's $750,000 agreement.

    The total amount added to the settlement fund is $44.05 million, bringing the class-action settlement fund to over $1 billion. This includes nearly all major brokerage settlements negotiated with Gibson and Sitzer/Burnett plaintiff attorneys in Missouri. However, a few defendants remain unsettled.