What works — and what doesn’t — in agent-vendor relationships
Agents today are inundated with options for services and partnerships, but alignment is key, according to a panel of real estate professionals.
May 2, 2026
Agent News
Insights, advice and essential news to help agents keep moving forward.
- Majority of agents ‘would not recommend’ private listingsConsumer interest also appears low, with nearly 70% of agents saying no client has asked for their home to be marketed privately, a Real Brokerage survey found.April 20, 2026
- Confronting real estate’s ‘very destructive’ narrativeBrown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman draws a clear line between private listings and PLNs: “You have to be honest” about days on market, she says.April 4, 2026
- How real estate agents view commissions, PLNs and MLS valueCompensation remains stable, but agents have mixed views on private listings and consolidation — and they want more from MLSs, a Cotality/ResiClub survey found.April 1, 2026
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- Private listings aren’t about choice — they’re about powerThe debate focuses on consumers, marketing strategies, flexibility, privacy and even morality. But it’s really about who controls access to the housing market.March 28, 2026
- Listing during these weeks could net sellers thousands moreNew reports from Realtor.com and Zillow identify the ideal listing windows as demand — and competition — builds.March 18, 2026
- Agents are banking on stronger spring salesRecent surveys suggest agents are cautiously optimistic about the market as affordability improves, but rising economic uncertainty could be a spoiler.March 14, 2026
- What buyers are stressed about — and how agents can helpA recent survey reveals how emotions and economic pressures influence buyers, sometimes leading to poor decisions and post-purchase regrets.March 12, 2026
- Jury convicts Alexander brothers in sex trafficking caseTal, Oren and Alon Alexander were found guilty of multiple federal sex crimes in a case brought against the celebrity brokers and their brother in late 2024.March 10, 2026
- The ‘magical question’ eXp’s CEO wants every agent to askAI is helping agents score leads, says Leo Pareja. But if they don’t ask where those leads are coming from, how will they know which resources to invest in?March 10, 2026
- Why I left NAR (but not the industry)When a longtime member lets their dues lapse after recalculating the value of association membership, that's worth paying attention to.March 6, 2026
- New pre-showing tool aims to quickly ID serious buyersA veteran real estate agent has rolled out an AI-assisted “buyer profile” site to help fellow agents avoid wasting time on clients who aren’t ready to act.March 2, 2026
- Agent confidence up as market approaches ‘healthier balance’A Real Brokerage survey found agent optimism at an 11-month high amid improving affordability and signs that the housing market may be starting to recover.January 30, 2026
- ‘Inflated’ agent fees cost consumers thousands, report claimsStandard commission practices harm consumers and fail to reward good agents (or discourage bad ones), according to a new report from the Consumer Policy Center.January 22, 2026
- ‘Playmakers’: The ‘No. 1 way to get more views on social media’Watch the conversation as marketing strategist Neel Dhingra lays out a 90-day video content plan for agents and reveals the key to winning online.January 21, 2026
- Marketing mistakes that can sink a deal — and how to fix themConsumers judge agents long before they ever make contact. Find out what it is about your headshot, email, website and more that could be driving clients away.January 3, 2026
- ‘Playmakers’: The ‘most underutilized’ opportunity for agentsWatch the conversation as coaching expert Tom Ferry identifies strategies agents can deploy today to boost their business in the new year.December 29, 2025
- Zillow wrapped: What buyers searched for in 2025Home shopper keyword searches on Zillow revealed a preference for adaptable homes with regional characteristics over square footage and luxury.December 26, 2025
- Agents see more market balance, but some buyers still shut outDespite market shifts, recent surveys suggest sellers still want top dollar and first-time buyers are sidelined. But agents are hoping for better days ahead.December 17, 2025
- Buyers, sellers feeling good about their prospects in 2026Optimism runs high — even as consumers and agents foresee more economic uncertainty ahead, a new survey found. And nearly everyone is worried about money.December 13, 2025
- Buyers eye 2026 as the year to make their moveA recent survey of prospective buyers found that most are motivated to close in the next year, and many are willing to pay more for certain amenities.December 9, 2025
- Why today’s market is driving up buyer agent commissionsThe average buyer agent commission was 2.42% in Q3 — up from 2.36% last year after the NAR settlement took effect, according to a new Redfin data analysis.December 8, 2025
- Want to succeed in 2026? Stay productive during the slow seasonJust because your clients are taking a break from real estate doesn’t mean you should. Smart agents use this time to improve their skills and businesses.November 25, 2025
- Shutdown chipping away at confidence in housing marketDisruptions to federal loan and flood insurance programs are impacting transactions, agents report, while consumers say they are holding off on major purchases.November 7, 2025
