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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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
Lawsuits pile up against EasyKnock
“More than two dozen people” in Texas have sued EasyKnock over its sale-leaseback program, an NPR investigation found, adding to the company's legal woes.
July 1, 2024
C.A.R. responds to harsh criticism of its buyer agreement
The California association said the Consumer Federation of America’s assessment was “misguided” and that its forms will be fully compliant.
June 28, 2024
eXp harassment case dismissed, but assault litigation continues
A Nevada lawsuit was dismissed this week, but an amended sexual misconduct complaint filed in California could put company leadership back in the hot seat.
June 28, 2024
A tale of two buyer agreements, and why one triggered the DOJ
The Consumer Federation of America blasted C.A.R.’s agreement but praised eXp’s contract. A CFA Fellow told Real Estate News he was “stunned” by the contrast.
Updated December 23, 2024
Real estate pros deeply dissatisfied with NAR
When asked to evaluate NAR’s overall performance, 62% of respondents in a T3 Sixty survey said they disapproved of the organization.
June 25, 2024
Home prices soar even as sales, construction slow
The median sale price for existing homes hit a record $419,300 in May, NAR reported, but home sales were lackluster and new construction has cooled.
June 21, 2024
Buyers get a slight reprieve as rates fall, sellers cut prices
There could be a window of opportunity for would-be buyers as mortgage rates continue to ease and homes sit on the market longer, prompting price cuts.
June 20, 2024