AJ LaTrace

Director, News Reporting

AJ has covered real estate for the last decade as a reporter and editor for publications including Vox Media's Curbed, Chicago magazine and Business Insider. At Business Insider, AJ led the brand's coverage of how everyday people invest in real estate as a means of gaining financial independence, and he reported on big-picture trends and pain points in the broader U.S. real estate market. AJ is based in Chicago, where he also moonlights as a small-time landlord.

Page 13 of 26

Zillow rolls out new non-exclusive touring agreement
The company said its contract — which will be available in 24 states — was designed to “help agents navigate new requirements” related to the NAR settlement.
August 1, 2024
eXp reports strong revenue in lead-up to industry transition
eXp showed growth in revenue and transactions as execs pitched the company’s value prop ahead of August 17 rules changes mandated by the NAR settlement.
August 1, 2024
Election uncertainty causing some buyers to hit pause
Many homebuyers are waiting to see who the next president will be before continuing their home search, but it’s really the Fed that they should be watching.
August 1, 2024
Consumer group is back with listing agreement guidelines
The Consumer Federation of America has shared criteria to “assist regulators … and the industry itself in evaluating the fairness of new seller contracts.”
July 31, 2024
Investor regret is up as purchases hit lowest point in 2 years
Since the beginning of the year, fewer investors appear to be jumping into the market, and many report dissatisfaction with managing tenants and properties.
July 29, 2024
eXp overhauls listing agreement, invites industry to use it
To align with the NAR settlement, eXp has issued a new listing form that explicitly states that there is no commission sharing with a buyer's agent.
July 27, 2024
Move and CoStar exchange barbs in trade secrets case
The former Realtor.com employee at the heart of the case responded to the accusations, while lawyers for both companies complained of leaks and delays.
July 26, 2024
Buyers backing out of deals in record numbers as market shifts
Upward of 56,000 home purchase contracts — nearly 15% of all such contracts from June — were canceled, a new report found, largely due to affordability issues.
July 24, 2024
CoStar reports higher revenue, defends traffic numbers
CEO Andy Florance touted the growth of Homes.com and said its traffic data source was more reliable, comparing it to “election results” versus “polls.”
July 23, 2024
Home prices hit a new high even as sales fall
At $426,900, the median sale price for existing homes set another record in June, but inventory also rose, suggesting a “slow shift” to a buyer’s market.
July 23, 2024
Broker sees uncertain future for MLSs and associations
There’s “going to be a point at which it doesn't make sense to belong” to small, local MLSs, one broker-owner — and member of 7 MLSs — told Real Estate News.
July 23, 2024
Colorado official: Buyer contracts can’t be required for home tours
A letter to the state’s Realtor association also calls out consumer complaints about being “ensnared in contracts with brokers” they don’t want to work with.
Updated July 23, 2024
Foreign purchases of U.S. homes falls to the lowest level on record
A new report shows major drops in international purchases of U.S. real estate, at a time when legal efforts to restrict buyers from certain countries ramped up.
July 18, 2024
Consumer watchdog shares its recipe for buyer agreements
After criticizing many agreements as “unfair,” The Consumer Federation of America has compiled a list of best practices for the industry.
July 16, 2024
President floats 5% rent cap on ‘corporate apartments and homes’
Biden calls out corporate profits in pitch for targeted rent limits, while the FHFA unveiled new tenant protections on Fannie- and Freddie-financed housing.
Updated July 16, 2024
2023 was tough for agents, but they aren’t giving up
The typical agent had fewer transactions and less income last year, NAR found, but that’s not stopping newcomers from joining — and old pros are doing well.
July 12, 2024
CoStar CEO calls trade secrets suit ‘laughable,’ looks to future
Andy Florance told Real Estate News that a former Realtor.com employee is a ‘pawn’ in a broader dispute, and the bigger picture involves global expansion.
July 8, 2024
Move sues CoStar, alleges employee ‘spied’ to boost Homes.com
Realtor.com’s parent company claims an ex-employee logged into its systems “at least 37 times” and “stole confidential business information” to benefit CoStar.
July 3, 2024
Consumer watchdog returns with new criticisms of C.A.R.
After unveiling a scathing critique of the association’s buyer agreement last week, the CFA is back with a new report focused on C.A.R.’s listing contract.
July 2, 2024
Can Costco help fix the housing shortage?
A proposed mixed-use apartment community anchored by a Costco warehouse store could signal a new approach to affordable housing.
July 2, 2024