A
total of nine brokerages have settled in the Gibson/Umpa case, but objections are being raised over the damage amounts and potential impact on homebuyer claims. With the final approval hearing just weeks away, several plaintiffs have filed objections to the settlements. James Mullis, a plaintiff in the Batton homebuyer cases, has filed a 14-page argument against the settlements reached by Anywhere, RE/MAX, and Keller Williams in the Sitzer/Burnett case. Robert Friedman, part of a class action lawsuit with the Real Estate Board of New York City, has also filed an objection, citing concerns that the settlements are preventing buyers who sold homes from pursuing their own lawsuits.

    The objections focus on nine defendants, including Compass, The Real Brokerage, and Redfin, which have agreed to settle for around $110 million. The objectors argue that the monetary damages are not sufficient and that the settlements should not cover cases with distinct circumstances, such as the one involving REBNY. Mullis seeks clarification that the settlements do not affect homebuyer claims, while Friedman argues that the alleged conspiracies between REBNY and NAR are separate and unrelated.

    The South Carolina objectors claim that the settlement amount has no rational basis, providing class members with "very small remuneration for the damages they suffered." Friedman also alleges that the REBNY conspiracy was more anticompetitive due to its unique rules and Code of Ethics. The final hearing for these settlements is scheduled for October 31.