Brokerages retool referral disclosures after failed NAR vote
Benchmark Realty and eXp Realty have unveiled new referral fee disclosure forms to enhance transparency and bolster agents’ fiduciary responsibility to clients.
November 26, 2025
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.
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- New, existing home costs nearly identical — will that last?In Q3 of 2025, there was only a $30 difference in the monthly payments for typical new and existing homes, a new report from Realtor.com suggests.November 25, 2025
- The 2nd-fastest-growing tech company? It’s a real estate firmWith revenue up nearly 30,000% over three years, upstart brokerage LPT Aperture Holdings took second place in Deloitte’s 2025 Technology Fast 500 list.November 19, 2025
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- Zillow surveys Anywhere agents amid legal battle with CompassMany agents said they would make, or perhaps consider, a move if Compass and Anywhere merge — a possibility other brokerage leaders are keeping an eye on.Updated November 7, 2025
- Off-MLS transactions cost sellers thousands, new report findsIn San Francisco, where the typical home costs over $1M, new data indicates the share of on-MLS listings is rising — and off-MLS sellers lose significant sums.November 6, 2025
- Buyer agents asking for higher fees than they were 3 years agoDespite some reports suggesting agent commission rates were dropping, a CPC report finds that 95% of buyer agents ask for 2.5-3% of a home’s final sale price.November 4, 2025
- Compass CEO says ‘more choice’ is coming after record quarterCEO Robert Reffkin signaled that Christie’s would serve as Compass’ “blueprint” for integrating Anywhere’s franchise brands and for further organic growth.November 4, 2025
- RE/MAX revenue stagnates as US agent losses persistBut the company reported an all-time high for its global agent count, with its international pool growing 9% year-over-year.October 31, 2025
- Real Brokerage revenue up 53% as agent count tops 30kThe company is also bolstering its AI offerings to “reduce manual or low-value processes across the organization,” execs said during a Q3 earnings call.October 30, 2025
- Sales of new homes lose momentum, giving buyers an opportunityThe share of newly built homes for sale is at the lowest level in four years as builders scale back and existing home inventory rebounds.October 29, 2025
- Brokerage M&As are picking up — but culture is still keyWindermere Co-President OB Jacobi explains what goes into an acquisition — including when it does — and doesn’t — make sense for companies to come together.October 18, 2025
- Howard Hanna takes a bite of the Big Apple with acquisitionHoward Hanna’s strategic expansion into Manhattan represents “Main Street coming into a Wall Street marketplace,” CEO Hoby Hanna tells Real Estate News.October 16, 2025
- eXp is ‘prepared for anything’ as consolidation ramps upA combination of major consolidations and a less cooperative environment could make residential brokerage look more commercial, eXp’s CEO warns.October 15, 2025
- Foreclosures, repossessions rising after pandemic-era lowsBank repossession of homes has increased 33% from a year ago while foreclosure filings are up 17%, a new ATTOM report finds.October 10, 2025
- What agents should know about the investors buying 1 in 3 homesInvestors purchased over 345,000 homes in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2025 — the highest level of investor activity in at least five years.October 10, 2025
- As industry leans into AI, report finds agent use is laggingThe real estate professionals who do use AI tools find them helpful in tackling content creation, scheduling and administrative tasks, a Kaplan survey found.October 8, 2025
- Rocket gains massive market share after closing on Mr. CooperOn Oct. 1, Rocket Companies completed its $14.2B acquisition of mortgage rival Mr. Cooper, calling it “the largest independent mortgage deal in history.”October 1, 2025
- Douglas Elliman formally enters the private listings gameCEO says Elliman is embracing the “power of choice” by providing “private, public, coming-soon, and delayed listing options” with its new exclusive marketplace.September 25, 2025
