Home Sales Disappoint as Consumer Confidence Hits a 70-Year Low
April’s existing home sales held steady at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million, missing the 4.1 million forecast. Single‑family sales slipped 0.3 % YoY, while condominium sales rose 2.7 % to offset the decline. The Northeast saw the steepest drop, with sales down 8.2 % but median prices climbing 4.8 %, and the national affordability index improved to 110.6. Despite modest inventory growth, consumer confidence hit a 70‑year low, tempering demand for the remainder of the spring season.
Team Merger Creates 'True Platform'; Sotheby’s Enters Portsmouth
Global real‑estate brands are accelerating regional growth through acquisitions and team mergers. Gibson Sotheby's International Realty acquired the Madden Group and opened its first New Hampshire office in Portsmouth, while eXp Realty combined Team Sharif Sells with Stunning NJ Homes...
Jobs Report Encouraging, but Consumers Remain Pessimistic
The U.S. Labor Department reported 115,000 nonfarm jobs added in April, far surpassing the 55,000 forecast and prompting an upward revision of March’s gain to 185,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.3% and wages rose 3.6% year‑over‑year, marking the...
Arizona-Based MLS Rebrands; MARIS Touts ‘Incredible’ Demand
Arizona‑based WARDEX rebranded as Momentum MLS on its 20th anniversary, serving roughly 1,100 broker‑subscriber members. The new name signals a commitment to technology, data analytics, and training tools aimed at helping agents grow their businesses. Meanwhile, Mid‑America Regional Information Systems...
‘Faster’ Is Opendoor’s ‘Moral Imperative’ as Revenue Falls
Opendoor’s new CEO Kaz Nejatian is betting on speed as a "moral imperative" while the iBuyer’s Q1 revenue slipped to $720 million, down from $736 million in the prior quarter. The company narrowed its net loss dramatically, from $1.1 billion in Q4 to...
Pending Sales Data Brings ‘Good News’ to Lagging Housing Market
Pending home sales surged in early May, with a 10% year‑over‑year jump and a four‑week rolling average 6.5% above 2025 levels, while inventory edged up 1.8%. Mortgage rates remain volatile but sit near the lowest spring levels in recent years,...
Real Revenue up 32% as Firm Champions ‘Platform of the Future’
Real Brokerage reported Q1 2026 revenue of $465.6 million, up 32% year‑over‑year, while narrowing its net loss to $3.4 million. The cloud‑based broker added 25% more agents, reaching 33,500, and saw a 25% rise in closed transactions and a 24% increase in...
EXp Enters the Franchise Business with NextHome Acquisition
eXp Realty completed its acquisition of NextHome, financing the deal with cash on hand and keeping the franchise brand intact. The NextHome co‑CEOs will assume new leadership roles while the brand retains its own compensation structure. eXp frames the purchase...
A CEO Transition at HSF Affiliates; Compass Exec Promoted
HomeServices announced that Jason Waugh will succeed Vince Leisey as CEO of HSF Affiliates in a planned 2027 transition, bringing his franchise and insurance experience back to the Berkshire Hathaway network. Compass International Holdings promoted Cory Perkins to president of integrated...
The MLS/CLAW Partners with Compass, Revises Its IDX Policy
The MLS/CLAW announced a new MLS Exclusive (MX) listing status that lets agents share properties only within the MLS, keeping price history and days‑on‑market hidden until sale. It also revised its IDX policy to prohibit exclusion of listings based on...
REMAX Deal Is ‘Best Possible Scenario’ for Real
Real Brokerage announced the acquisition of RE/MAX, merging its cloud‑based platform with the franchised global brand. The deal adds roughly $500 million of debt to Real’s balance sheet but gives it a worldwide footprint and a recognized consumer brand. Analysts see...
Presence Platform Unifies Agent Tools; Coaching Integration Launches
Luxury Presence unveiled the Presence Platform, an AI‑powered suite that consolidates CRM, social media, listing ads and a homeowner dashboard for real‑estate agents, following a $37 million funding round to expand its AI capabilities. Inside Real Estate partnered with Buffini to...
Compass Stock Price Jumps on Promise of ‘Durable Profitability’
Compass International Holdings saw its shares surge 20% after‑hours on May 5 when it released its first combined Q1 earnings with Anywhere. The company reported $2.7 billion in revenue, a 99% year‑over‑year increase, and posted a modest $22 million net income versus a...
Zillow, Realtor.com Joining Forces on ‘Preview’ Listings
Zillow and Realtor.com announced a partnership to display Zillow’s “Preview” pre‑market listings on Realtor.com. The collaboration follows Zillow’s March launch of Preview, which now includes more than 60 brokerages. Together the two portals reach roughly 75% of U.S. home shoppers,...
Rise in New Home Sales Shows Demand Exists — but It’s ‘Fragile'
New single‑family home sales rose 3.3% year‑over‑year in March, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 682,000 units. Builders responded with price cuts and incentives, pulling the median new‑home price down 6.2% YoY to $387,400, now lower than many existing...
Today’s Housing Market Favors Storytellers — and Video Is King
Jason Cassity, chief growth officer at The Real Brokerage, argues that video has become the most efficient distribution channel for real‑estate agents. He urges a "media‑first" mindset, recommending agents document daily activities rather than chase polished productions. By batching shoots...
Most Homebuyers Go over Budget — a Concern for Lenders
A ServiceLink survey of 1,500 consumers and 507 mortgage professionals reveals that 77% of recent homebuyers exceeded their original budget, with 10% overspending by more than $80,000. Half of Gen Z and 44% of millennial buyers reported being at risk of...
Real Estate’s Most ‘Loyal Customer’ — and How to Win Them Over
The United States recorded over 10 million Hispanic homeowners in 2025, marking a historic milestone for the nation’s youngest major demographic. NAHREP CEO Gary Acosta told the 2026 T3 Leadership Summit that agents who demonstrate authenticity and earn trust can secure...
Many Homebuyers Held Back by Financing Misconceptions
A Veterans United poll of 400 prospective buyers reveals widespread misconceptions about mortgage qualifications, including credit scores, down payments, and interest rates. Over a third think a 700+ credit score is required, while many believe a 20% down payment is...
Reffkin Takes ‘Flood the Zone’ Approach in Bid to Sway Industry Execs
Compass International Holdings CEO Robert Reffkin used a 39‑slide presentation at the T3 Leadership Summit to push private listings and expanded seller choice. He invoked the 2005 DOJ case against the NAR to argue that MLSs should limit portal access...
HUD Accuses NAR of ‘Misguided Advice’ in Letter to Agents
The Department of Housing and Urban Development sent a letter accusing the National Association of Realtors of giving agents misleading advice that effectively imposes a gag order on discussing crime and school data, a practice HUD says violates the Fair...
‘Playmakers’: The ‘Invisible’ Brokerage Attracting Top Agents
Side, the ninth‑largest U.S. real‑estate brokerage by 2025 sales, positions itself as an “invisible” white‑label broker that separates brand from brokerage services. Co‑founders Guy Gal, Ed Wu and Hilary Saunders built the model to reward high‑producing agents with lower commission...
CMLS CEO to Depart; Compass Names People Leader; New CEO at Buffini
Denee Evans announced she will step down as CEO of the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) effective May 31, with REdistribute CEO Amy Gorce serving as interim leader while a permanent successor is sought this summer. Compass International Holdings appointed...
KW’s CEO Ready to Turn Tech, Development Strategies Into Action
Keller Williams CEO Chris Czarnecki, after a year of assessment, is moving into execution mode. The firm will launch new CRM tools, two lending programs for franchisees, and has acquired Michael Lewis Marketing Suite to boost agents' marketing capabilities. The...
Realtracs Opens MLS Service Nationally
Realtracs, Tennessee's largest multiple listing service, announced a nationwide rollout, partnering with Compass International Holdings and United Real Estate to feed listings into its platform. The MLS, which currently supports about 19,000 subscribers across six southeastern states, aims to scale...
A New 3-Way Data Share in the Southeast; 2 MLSs Partner with BPP
Multiple regional MLSs are forming data‑sharing alliances to broaden listing visibility and simplify agent workflows. In the Southeast, FMLS, Greater Chattanooga Realtors and ValleyMLS now share listings across Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Meanwhile, NorthstarMLS and California’s CREB have teamed with...
‘April Delivered’ as Spring Homebuying Season Picks up Momentum
April’s housing data shows the spring market gaining traction after a sluggish start. Pending home sales reached 96,000, the highest weekly total since 2022, while new listings rose 1.1% year‑over‑year and 8.7% month‑over‑month. Purchase‑type mortgage applications jumped 21% compared with...
The MLS ‘Isn’t Really Dead After All,’ CRMLS CEO Says
At the 2026 T3 Leadership Summit, CRMLS CEO Art Carter and Bright MLS CEO Brian Donnellan argued that the multiple listing service (MLS) is far from obsolete despite growing broker experiments with off‑MLS marketing and pre‑listing platforms. They emphasized that the...
MLS Tech Push Focuses on AI, Data Access, Consumer Engagement
MLS technology providers are accelerating AI integration across the real‑estate workflow. FBS launched the Flexmls MCP Server, letting over 330,000 users query MLS listings through ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. RealReports expanded its AI‑driven property intelligence platform to Mid Georgia MLS,...
Batton Plaintiffs Move to Block NAR Deal in Commissions Case
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) joined the Tuccori settlement on April 10, agreeing to pay $52.25 million to resolve homebuyer commission claims. Plaintiffs in the Batton case argue this payment is a “reverse auction,” undervaluing their damages compared with larger awards...
CoStar Beats Revenue Forecast Amid ‘Drumbeat of Negative Coverage’
CoStar Group posted Q1 revenue of $897 million, up 23% year‑over‑year, and doubled adjusted EBITDA to $132 million, marking its 60th consecutive quarter of double‑digit growth. The company raised its full‑year adjusted EBITDA outlook to $780‑$820 million and highlighted strong...
Compass, United the Latest to Settle in Tuccori
Compass and United Real Estate have entered settlement agreements in the Tuccori litigation and have asked the court to stay the related Batton 2 case, which alleges a commission‑inflation conspiracy. The settlements, if approved, would likely release both firms from all...
KW Adds C-Suite Role; Elliman Names National Brokerage President
Keller Williams Realty announced Christopher Brodhead as its first chief revenue officer, a role designed to align growth strategy across its franchise network. Douglas Elliman appointed former ONE Sotheby’s CMO Lena Johnson as president of national brokerage to sharpen its luxury market...
NAR Chief Economist Offers ‘Best Guess’ About Fed Rate Cuts
National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun said the incoming Fed chair may push for a 50‑basis‑point rate cut by mid‑year, while ongoing conflict in Iran could lift 30‑year mortgage rates toward 7%. He noted the U.S. economy shows...
Teams ‘Work Harder’ — Which Is Why LPT Is Betting on Them
LPT Realty, founded in 2022 by Robert Palmer, has surged to over 20,000 agents—a 50% jump since 2024—and now ranks No. 11 in U.S. sales volume. Palmer argues that real‑estate teams, not traditional brokerages, will dominate the market, so LPT backs...
Being an Industry ‘Outsider’ Gave Real an Edge, CEO Says
Real Brokerage announced its acquisition of RE/MAX, propelling the firm to over 33,000 agents and cementing its rank as the fifth‑largest U.S. brokerage by sales volume. CEO Tamir Poleg emphasized an agent‑first philosophy, claiming the company can grow in any market...
A Third of Homeowners Won’t Give up Sub-6% Rate ‘for Any Reason’
Surveys from Clever Real Estate and Hippo reveal that a sizable share of U.S. homeowners locked into sub‑6% mortgage rates are unwilling to sell, with 35% saying they would not trade their loan “for any reason.” Nearly half (48%) would...
Heavy Investment in Homes.com Is Paying Off, CEO Says
CoStar Group’s CEO Andy Florance says the heavy investment in Homes.com is finally paying off after a bruising showdown with activist investors. Agent subscriptions have surged from about 10,000 to 34,000, and each new subscriber reports roughly $36,000 in extra...
Real, Hanna Add Teams; HomeServices Debuts Unifying Platform
The Real Brokerage bolstered its Florida footprint by acquiring the 60‑agent Solutions Group, bringing roughly $300 million in annual sales. Engel & Völkers expanded on the East Coast with acquisitions in Charlotte and Hoboken, adding a combined $162 million in recent sales...
Average Monthly Mortgage Payments Top $2K — a New Record
The average U.S. monthly mortgage payment hit a record $2,005 in the fourth quarter of 2025, a 44% jump since 2021 and roughly $600 higher than three years ago. Realtor.com attributes the surge to persistently high home prices and mortgage...
Robert Reffkin Says He’s Not Trying to ‘Destroy the MLS’
Compass International Holdings CEO Robert Reffkin told real‑estate executives at the T3 Leadership Summit that he is not trying to dismantle multiple‑listing services (MLS) but wants them to be more flexible. He opposed mandatory syndication of listings to third‑party portals...
Portals Are ‘Increasingly Closing Their Ecosystem’: Realtor.com CEO
Realtor.com CEO Damian Eales used the T3 Sixty Leadership Summit to criticize the real‑estate sector’s pre‑marketing focus and warn that portals such as Zillow and Rocket/Redfin are increasingly closing their ecosystems. He highlighted AI as a growth opportunity and announced...
MRED Opens Access to All Agents — with Compass the First to Join
Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) announced it will open its private listing network to all licensed real‑estate agents across the United States, with Compass International Holdings as the inaugural participant. By contributing its entire inventory—both public and exclusive listings—Compass will...
NAR Is ‘Not in the Business Anymore of Creating Chaos,’ CEO Says
The National Association of Realtors, led by CEO Nykia Wright, reported a membership base of 1.412 million, a modest dip from last fall’s 1.491 million. Wright highlighted a comprehensive derisking agenda aimed at insulating the group from further antitrust and commission lawsuits....
Zillow CEO Bullish About AI’s Potential, Opportunities for Agents
Zillow CEO Jeremy Wacksman told real‑estate leaders that AI is reshaping the industry. Internally, AI tools have already nudged employee productivity higher, and externally the company is rolling out features that automate note‑taking, generate floor plans and streamline marketing for...
Mortgage Rates Less of a Factor for Buyers, Sellers This Year
A new Coldwell Banker survey shows a third of spring sellers are listing homes even with sub‑5% mortgage rates, indicating the traditional “lock‑in” effect is weakening. Meanwhile, 77% of agents report working with “comeback buyers” who have re‑entered the market,...
The State of the Housing Market? It ‘Sucks,’ Rocket CEO Says
Rocket Companies CEO Varun Krishna warned that the U.S. housing market is "broken" and suffering from a severe inventory shortage. He outlined a strategy to modernize the industry by turning Rocket into an open ecosystem, highlighted recent acquisitions of Redfin...
New AI Marketing Tools Aim to Produce Pro-Quality Content
Delta Media Group unveiled Delta Create Studio, an AI‑driven design tool embedded in its DeltaNET CRM, letting agents generate flyers, postcards and social graphics directly from listing data. Startup Editora introduced an AI “creative director” that turns property photos into...
Compass Takes Majority Stake in Peerage USA Holdings
Compass International Holdings has secured a controlling 51% stake in Peerage USA Holdings, the investment vehicle behind several Sotheby’s International Realty franchises. The transaction is structured as a debt‑restructuring deal, with a 30‑month payment schedule to retire Peerage’s obligations to...
HomeServices Names New SVP; ENRG Appoints Brokerage Leader
HomeServices of America named former Long & Foster president Lacey Conway as senior vice president, expanding her remit to growth, culture and recruiting across its brokerage network. Conway brings more than two decades of real‑estate leadership, including M&A experience at...