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.

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NAR tells sellers they don’t have to list on the MLS
In its latest consumer guide, the association offers general education about MLSs while alluding to the ongoing debate over its Clear Cooperation Policy.
Updated December 16, 2024
Should this 3-page buyer agreement be a model for the industry?
University at Buffalo School of Law professor Tanya Monestier’s draft agreement gets most agents “90% of the way there,” she told Real Estate News.
October 2, 2024
Anywhere seeks 4 major changes to MLS policies
The brokerage giant is asking NAR to allow greater flexibility around Clear Cooperation and co-mingling, and loosen restrictions for non-member agents.
October 1, 2024
Howard Hanna leaps into AI-powered home search game
The nation’s largest independent brokerage has launched a new natural language search experience on its website, powered by ListAssist to rival portals.
September 30, 2024
Agent mood improving post-settlement — a little
Agents are slowly warming up to the new reality in real estate sales, though most still believe the NAR settlement will have a negative effect on the industry.
September 28, 2024
Invitation Homes makes $48 million deal to settle with FTC
The Federal Trade Commission said the Dallas-based single-family home rental company “preyed on tenants through a variety of unfair and deceptive tactics.”
September 25, 2024
The best investor opportunities? Look south
Florida, North Carolina and Texas dominate a new report sizing up the top 10 markets for real estate investment.
September 25, 2024
CoStar tallies win in ongoing Realtor.com trade secrets suit
A U.S. District Court judge has denied Move’s request for a preliminary injunction and questioned claims of “irreparable harm” to Realtor.com.
September 23, 2024
NAR offers new advice for sellers on agent compensation
With industry rule changes now in effect, the National Association of Realtors has been doubling down on education and outreach to buyers and sellers.
September 12, 2024
Clear Cooperation: ‘Imperative’ or legal risk?
The future of private listings and MLS integrity is at stake as a key NAR committee meets this week to hear arguments about keeping — or scrapping — the policy.
September 11, 2024
Revise or remove Clear Cooperation, most industry pros say
According to a recent WAV Group poll of real estate professionals, only 28% want to keep the policy as-is, with many citing concerns over litigation.
September 10, 2024
NYC and Chicago remain most vulnerable markets
A new report from ATTOM indicates that select counties in California, New Jersey and Illinois are most at risk of a housing market downturn.
September 5, 2024
MoxiWorks rolls out settlement-friendly agent products
The company said its product suite has “been upgraded so buyer's agents can more quickly and easily display their value” — and see compensation offers.
September 4, 2024
What comes next for NAR’s Clear Cooperation policy?
The policy, which was designed to discourage the sharing of listings via private networks outside the MLS, is being called into question.
September 3, 2024
MLSs want to stop rule violations before they happen
With new industry practice changes now in effect, agents can face real consequences for breaking the rules. MLSs — and brokerages — are trying to help.
September 3, 2024
Move seeks injunction while CoStar remains defiant
Lawyers for Move asked the court to approve a preliminary injunction against CoStar in its trade secrets suit involving a former Realtor.com employee.
August 28, 2024
The new agent playbook should include ‘leading with grace’
Major brokerage leaders are telling agents to be patient with other real estate professionals (and consumers) as the industry adjusts to new practices.
August 28, 2024
Buyers beware: Some agreements appear to violate NAR terms
A new report calls out numerous state associations for buyer agreements that could hurt consumers or break the new rules.
August 27, 2024
Move accused of selling ‘fake leads’ in class action lawsuit
Agents from six states allege that the parent company of Realtor.com sold dubious leads, and said NAR — also a defendant — was “complicit” in the scheme.
Updated August 27, 2024
Agent sentiment dips, but buyers are gaining ground
Two new surveys provide a snapshot of what agents are seeing in the market, and while they’re slightly less optimistic, they remain “net positive.”
August 23, 2024