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arring any surprises, the two largest settlements in the Sitzer/Burnett commissions case – totaling nearly $700 million – will be finalized on November 26. This marks the likely final stage of the five-year-long case.

    Key points:

    * Settlement hearings are scheduled for November 26.

    * The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and HomeServices of America have reached separate settlements, representing about 70% of the over $1 billion settlement fund.

    * After plaintiffs' attorneys take their share (one-third of the pot), the remainder will be divided among class members who opted into the settlement.

    The industry is moving forward with new policies in place since August. NAR President Kevin Sears predicted that if the judge approves the deal, it would mean "it's behind us." The association has filed a motion supporting the finalization of the settlements, stating that the agreement reflects years of hard-fought litigation and the realities of what would happen if the parties continued to fight.

    The settlement was not what NAR wanted; they sought to maintain the status quo and keep decades-old practices in place. However, after suffering a high-profile loss in U.S. District Court, they agreed to the settlement.

    NAR's $418 million settlement is significant, with the organization estimating it will pay more than 55% of its total assets into the fund. HomeServices of America is paying the second-highest amount of damages at $250 million.

    The plaintiffs expressed their satisfaction with the monetary damages and said the reforms agreed to by NAR "will promote price competition and, over time, are expected to bring about meaningful benefits for consumers." They also contend that the settlement is widely popular among consumers, noting that more than 491,000 class members have filed claims so far.