Washington Realtors backs bill targeting private listings
A bill introduced this week in the Wash. State Legislature would require selectively marketed homes to also be publicly accessible “in some way, shape or form.”
January 13, 2026
AJ LaTrace
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 2 of 27
- What Reffkin told agents after Compass-Anywhere deal closedOn his first day as CEO of Compass International Holdings, Robert Reffkin shared a vision of agent empowerment, seller choice and tech-enabled efficiencies.January 9, 2026
- Compass completes its acquisition of Anywhere Real EstateRobert Reffkin said the deal brings the “most respected brands and professionals together on a single, modern technology platform” to better serve clients.January 9, 2026
- CoStar to reduce investment in Homes.com by more than a thirdAfter a multiyear spending blitz aimed at marketing and growing Homes.com, CoStar is significantly downsizing its investment in 2026, with more cuts to follow.January 8, 2026
- Compass, Anywhere merger on track to close this weekCompass indicated that approximately 99% of its shareholders voted for the deal, which the brokerage said is now expected to close on Jan. 9.January 7, 2026
- Top stories of 2025: Fed moves, Zillow battles and buyer angstLast year, our readers focused their attention on the Federal Reserve, Zillow’s listing changes (and legal woes), and the direction of the housing market.January 5, 2026
- 1 year after LA wildfires, investors are moving inNearly 20K homes worth about $46B were threatened in the Palisades and Eaton fires. As the number of vacant lots climbs, investors are starting to snap them up.December 31, 2025
- The Ten: Amid industry division, brokerages went after scaleThe pace of consolidation accelerated in 2025 as mega-mergers and regional deals helped firms gain leverage and insulation from housing market pressures.December 31, 2025
- The Ten: Robert Reffkin’s playbook for industry dominanceThe outspoken Compass CEO could soon be leading the world’s largest brokerage, reshaping the market while asserting independence from portals, MLSs and NAR.December 27, 2025
- Could a Compass-Anywhere merger violate federal guidelines?A new report suggests that Compass would control over 30% of several urban markets — surpassing federal guidelines — if its acquisition of Anywhere proceeds.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
- Is Google’s listings ‘experiment’ a threat to search portals?Google’s data and brokerage partner HouseCanary is beginning to place home listing blurbs at the top of search results in some markets as part of a new “test.”December 15, 2025
- Why housing’s ‘unaffordable situation’ is so persistentHigh home prices and elevated mortgage rates are keeping first-time buyers locked out even amidst a rise in new home inventory, according to analyst John Burns.December 13, 2025
- Court merges 2 class-action cases against ZillowTo “enhance fairness to all parties,” a Seattle judge approved a motion to combine two cases alleging RICO and RESPA violations related to Zillow Home Loans.December 11, 2025
- How much of America’s housing is owned by corporations?An analysis of 500 urban counties found that 1 in 11 parcels is corporate-owned, but the share is much higher in areas where “mega-investors” have proliferated.December 8, 2025
- The Ten: Private listings in the spotlight — and the courtroomDivisions over private listings deepened in 2025, with major industry players going head-to-head and others warning of the risks to a fair and open market.December 5, 2025
- How NAR spent its money in 2024The organization brought in $360 million in revenue, primarily from member dues, and spent more than $76 million on compensation. Another big expense? Lobbying.December 3, 2025
- Why eXp is opting for ‘consumer choice’ over ancillary revenueWhile many brokerages are looking to boost profits through consolidation and attached services, eXp leaders want consumers to know they have options.December 2, 2025
- Why did Zillow remove climate data from its home listings?The home search site is pointing users elsewhere for climate risk info, a move it says aligns with “varying” MLS rules. But what those rules are is not clear.Updated December 3, 2025
- Why HomeSmart is leaning into human support over AIAs other brokerages go all in on AI and automation, HomeSmart President Stacey Onnen wants to make sure that her firm’s agents “never feel left on an island.”December 1, 2025
