5 trends brokerage leaders should be watching
Recent industry headlines have been focused on the big players, but independent and mid-sized firms have some competitive advantages in this shifting market.
May 23, 2026
Real Estate News: The latest news for agents and other pros.
- Data offers ‘credible signal’ of returning homebuyer demandContract signings remain sluggish compared to pre-pandemic norms, but new data suggests 2026 has shown improvement over the past few spring homebuying seasons.May 23, 2026
- E&V enters Maui; New York, Florida indies strike a dealThe shop is Engel & Völkers’ fourth in the Aloha State. Plus, $32M team joins Howard Hanna in Ohio; ERA adds Chicago-area affiliate; two luxury firms partner.May 23, 2026
- ‘Still work to be done’ as housing bill clears another hurdleThe ROAD to Housing Act heads back to the Senate. Plus, Trump urges new Fed chair to “be totally independent”; HUD releases home construction best practices.May 22, 2026
- Judge grants Zillow’s request to reinstate MRED listing feedsWhile a partial win for Zillow, the MLS and Compass also praised the decision, which bars the portal from excluding MRED listings that don’t meet its standards.May 22, 2026
- What brokerages must do to ‘leverage the future of AI’Retooling legacy systems, understanding data ownership and knowing what to outsource will be key to operating in an AI-powered world, industry leaders say.May 22, 2026
- 24 more brokerages join Zillow Preview as public pre-market listings grow
- Rates up, sales down as ‘housing market tug of war’ continuesPending sales and purchase applications fell this week as average mortgage rates topped 6.5%, narrowing “the pool of buyers who can make the numbers work.”May 21, 2026
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The latest on listings
NAR has made its ruling on Clear Cooperation, but the battle over how for-sale homes are marketed and when they appear on the MLS isn't over yet.
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- Zillow asks court for restraining order to restore MRED data feedAfter the MLS cut Zillow’s feeds — a “dramatic and unprecedented decision,” per a court filing — the portal requested an emergency order to reinstate access.Updated May 22, 2026
- Builders lack ‘conviction’ amid high costs, consumer cautionThough construction activity in April was mixed, recent data indicates home builders are being cautious about the types of projects they’re willing to take on.May 21, 2026
- NextHome poised to ‘play in a much larger sandbox’ under eXpJames Dwiggins, the co-founder and co-CEO of NextHome, discusses why eXp is the right partner for “chapter two” of the franchise brand’s growth.May 21, 2026
- Zillow responds to FTC claims as antitrust case moves forwardNow that its motion to dismiss the case has been denied, the home search giant has issued a response to the federal agency’s antitrust allegations.May 20, 2026
- NYC indie heads to the Hamptons; ONE Sotheby’s acquires NJ firmDecode Hamptons launches ahead of the summer season. Plus, ONE Sotheby’s enters New Jersey; The Agency adds fourth Nevada office; CIRE lands in Los Cabos; more.Updated May 21, 2026
- MLSs must adapt to ‘structural shift’ in listing strategiesWhile some leaders see the pre-marketing movement as a threat, others believe the MLS will continue to thrive — as long as it’s “adding value to the ecosystem.”May 20, 2026
- MRED cuts off listing feeds to ZillowThe Chicago-area MLS suspended data feeds to the home search giant, claiming that the portal violated its licensing agreement by banning a handful of listings.May 20, 2026
- Housing market still out of alignment despite affordability gainsA new Listing-Income Alignment Score finds “a shortage of options” for buyers looking to purchase a home they can afford, according to NAR and Realtor.com.May 20, 2026
- Revive elevates AI platform; Rayse inks deal with Momentum MLSRevive’s upgrades aim to surface a home’s value potential. Plus, Samuel Bjelac to lead Point’s third-party origination channel; Follow Up Boss hits a milestone.May 20, 2026
- Pending sales inch up, but real growth unlikely until late 2026The housing market may be stabilizing, but many economic factors are still in flux — and could tip home sales in a less rosy direction over the summer.May 19, 2026
- ‘Playmakers’: Opendoor ‘crushing it’ on key metrics, CEO saysWatch the conversation as Kaz Nejatian flags the two biggest mistakes the iBuyer was making and explains why AI is essential to its next chapter.May 19, 2026
- Opendoor makes new push for agents with RealScout integrationThe companies say listing agents will control the process, with guardrails that protect commissions “on every path,” according to RealScout’s CEO.May 19, 2026
- Down payments drop to 4-year low of $23KStill, most renters lack the funds for a down payment, and more buyers are turning to government-backed loans, suggesting that affordability remains a problem.May 19, 2026
- Google home listings are back in 8 major marketsThe pilot program keeps agents “at the center of the transaction” and gives consumers a “simpler” experience, said HouseCanary, which powers the listings.May 18, 2026
- MLS CEOs warn of fragmentation, ‘shadow’ market, erosion of trustAmid a flood of brokerage pre-marketing partnerships with MLSs and portals, some leaders fear the industry is abandoning the ideals of cooperation and fairness.May 18, 2026
- Zillow asks court to preempt MRED listing feed terminationIn a May 18 motion, the portal says the MLS — in coordination with Compass — has threatened to cut Zillow’s feed and “kneecap” its ability to compete.Updated May 19, 2026
- Redfin debuts ‘Early Access,’ giving homesellers ‘more control’“Early Access” gives homeowners who “want to sell, but are not ready to commit to full exposure” more options, Chief of Real Estate Services Jason Aleem said.May 18, 2026
- Former Zillow execs talk startups, AI and a ‘discouraging’ trendBuyers are still struggling with the housing affordability crisis — which the debate over private listings ignores, according to one former Zillow leader.May 16, 2026
- Corcoran expands abroad; Hanna program rewards luxury agentsA new Spain affiliate adds to Corcoran’s global presence. Plus, Elliman Capital launches in a third state; Howard Hanna unveils exclusive program; more.May 16, 2026
