Buyer Sues Broker Over $650 Administrative Fee in Post-Commission Settlement Era
Gregory Deivert filed suit against Keller Williams Elite in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, alleging the brokerage charged him a $650 fee at closing in October 2023 without proper disclosure or corresponding service. Deivert claims the fee breached fiduciary duty and violated Pennsylvania consumer protection law. The complaint states the charge first appeared on the closing statement, a point at which buyers rarely walk away from a transaction. Deivert is seeking class action status for all buyers who paid similar flat fees to the brokerage beyond commissions already paid by sellers.
Keller Williams Elite allegedly instructed agents to describe the fee as mandatory and tied to administrative costs such as document preparation. Deivert’s complaint argues that document preparation is a legal obligation of brokers under Pennsylvania law, not a separate billable service. Other Keller Williams franchises across the country have reportedly charged similar fees under names including “Additional Broker Commission” and “Compliance Fee.” Keller Williams Elite did not respond to requests for comment.
A parallel case in Florida ended in voluntary dismissal two months after filing. Jeff and Melissa Efron had challenged a $475 transaction fee from Compass, also seeking class action status. Industry estimates suggest consumers pay up to $2 billion annually in brokerage transaction fees. Deivert has demanded a jury trial and seeks both damages and a permanent injunction barring the $650 charge.
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