A landmark legal settlement in the real estate industry could significantly alter how homebuyers pay their agents, potentially affecting the traditional commission structures. Home sellers have claimed HomeServices, a unit of Berkshire Hathaway, owes $4.7 billion in a case related to real estate commissions in Missouri-area. This comes amid a broader discussion on the affordability of homeownership, with innovative solutions such as shared housing being considered to address the crisis. The settlement, which includes a $418 million deal by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), has sparked a variety of responses, from predictions of workarounds by real estate agents to protect their commissions to some choosing to leave the industry altogether. The Biden administration has criticized NAR for what it calls 'junk fees' and unfair practices towards Americans. The real estate commission lawsuits have reached a total of $626 million in settlements so far, with significant implications for how the industry will operate moving forward, expecting new commission rules by July 1st. Additionally, the settlement is expected to introduce new challenges and opportunities for real estate agents to navigate the changing landscape.