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Hooper Settlement$42.5 Million CombinedPending Court ApprovalHomebuyers OnlyBreaking — April 1, 2026

Hooper Settlement Guide

eXp World Holdings and Weichert Realtors agreed to a combined $42.5 million to resolve homebuyer antitrust claims in the Hooper case — a separate lawsuit from Batton and Tuccori. Here's everything you need to know about eligibility, the claim process, and next steps.

Announced: April 1, 2026
eXp: ~$34 million | Weichert: ~$8.5 million
Claim Deadline: TBD — pending court approval
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Not sure if this is the right settlement for you? Answer 4 quick questions to find all settlements you may qualify for — including NAR, Moehrl, Tuccori, KW, RE/MAX, and Hooper.

What Is the Hooper Settlement?

On April 1, 2026, eXp World Holdings and Weichert Realtors filed settlement agreements in Hooper v. eXp World Holdings et al., a class action lawsuit pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. eXp agreed to pay approximately $34 million and Weichert agreed to pay approximately $8.5 million — a combined $42.5 million — to resolve antitrust claims brought by homebuyers.

The Hooper lawsuit alleges that eXp, Weichert, and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) conspired to inflate buyer-agent commissions through NAR's MLS rules, causing homebuyers to pay artificially elevated prices when purchasing homes. The theory is that sellers inflate listing prices to cover the buyer's agent commission (typically 2.5–3%), meaning buyers effectively pay this cost through the purchase price even though they never directly negotiate or agree to it.

The Hooper case is separate from the Batton and Tuccori cases, which have received more media attention. It was filed in South Carolina and is being litigated by the firm Knie & Shealy. Notably, eXp and Weichert are also defendants in the Batton 2 case (Northern District of Illinois), where a federal judge denied their motions to dismiss on March 25, 2026 — meaning they must face trial there as well.

Both Hooper settlements are pending court preliminary approval. Once approved, a claim filing period will open for eligible homebuyers.

Quick Eligibility Check

Am I Eligible for the Hooper Settlement?
Answer 3 questions to get a preliminary assessment. This is not legal advice.

How to Prepare for the Claim Process

1

Gather your home purchase records

Find your closing disclosure (HUD-1 or CD form), purchase contract, and any MLS listing printouts. These will document your purchase price, date, and the brokerage involved.

2

Note the purchase date and price

The claim form will likely ask for your purchase date and price. The purchase price matters because it determines the size of your potential claim — higher-priced homes typically receive larger payouts.

3

Identify the brokerage involved

Note whether an eXp or Weichert agent was involved in your transaction. While you may qualify regardless of brokerage, having this information ready will help with the claim form.

4

Monitor the official settlement website

Once the court grants preliminary approval, an official settlement website will be established. We will link to it from this page as soon as it is available.

5

File your claim before the deadline

Once the claim period opens, file promptly. Deadlines are typically 60-90 days after notice is distributed. Late claims are generally not accepted.

Case Timeline

2023
Filing

Hooper v. eXp World Holdings et al. filed in the District of South Carolina

2024
Milestone

Case proceeds through discovery; eXp and Weichert file motions

March 25, 2026
Ruling

In a related case (Batton 2), Judge Hunt denies MTD for eXp, Weichert, Compass, Redfin, and United Real Estate

April 1, 2026
Settlement

eXp World Holdings and Weichert agree to combined $42.5M settlement in Hooper — filed with court

Spring/Summer 2026 (est.)
Upcoming

Preliminary approval hearing expected

Late 2026 (est.)
Upcoming

Claim filing period expected to open after court approval

TBD
Deadline

Estimated claim filing deadline (subject to court approval)

Frequently Asked Questions

Settlement at a Glance
Case NameHooper v. eXp World Holdings et al.
Total Amount$42.5 million (combined)
eXp Portion~$34 million
Weichert Portion~$8.5 million
Who QualifiesHomebuyers
CourtD. South Carolina
StatusPending Approval
Claim DeadlineTBD
Settling Defendants

eXp World Holdings, Inc.

~$34 million

The cloud-based brokerage and its affiliated agents and subsidiaries — released from antitrust claims by homebuyers who purchased homes listed on an MLS during the relevant time period

Weichert Realtors

~$8.5 million

The New Jersey-based national brokerage and its affiliated agents and franchisees — released from antitrust claims by homebuyers who purchased homes listed on an MLS during the relevant time period

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Settlement details are based on publicly available information as of April 1, 2026. Eligibility criteria and deadlines are subject to change pending court approval. Consult an attorney for legal advice about your specific situation.