The Ten: The ‘honorable mentions’ you shouldn’t overlook
To conclude our series on 2025’s industry influencers, we’re highlighting the people and trends that nearly made the list — and are worth watching in 2026.
January 15, 2026
Meghan Roos
Editor
Meghan is a Southern California-based writer and editor with a background in breaking news, sports and entertainment coverage. She led a team at Women's Running magazine, worked as a digital producer at a San Diego-based television news station and covered multiple content areas as a reporter at Newsweek. In her free time, Meghan enjoys running, attending concerts and playing with her incredibly sassy dachshund.
- Glenn Kelman leaves Redfin after 20 years as CEOThe brokerage and portal leader announced his departure on LinkedIn, noting that he hoped “to do something as good as Redfin, in a different field.”Updated January 14, 2026
- Former Fed chairs slam ‘attacks’ on Jerome PowellFed Chair Jerome Powell said he will continue “standing firm in the face of threats” after the DOJ served the central bank with a round of grand jury subpoenas.January 12, 2026
- Trump kicks off 2026 with 2 major housing-related mandatesEconomists were skeptical of the president’s corporate buyer ban but praised his mortgage bond purchase proposal. Plus, a Fannie-Freddie IPO is still possible.January 9, 2026
- Sales up, prices down a year after LA wildfiresThe share of home sales in Pacific Palisades and Altadena have jumped 50% or more, according to Realtor.com data — but prices have fallen sharply.January 7, 2026
- Court orders White House to keep CFPB funded — for nowPlus, the president plans to announce his Fed chair nominee in January; HUD Secretary Scott Turner said “more research” on 50-year mortgages is needed.December 30, 2025
- ‘Playmakers’: The ‘most underutilized’ opportunity for agentsWatch the conversation as coaching expert Tom Ferry identifies strategies agents can deploy today to boost their business in the new year.December 29, 2025
- The Ten: Powell and the Fed under fire — and in the spotlightThe Federal Reserve and Chair Jerome Powell were frequent targets of the Trump administration in 2026, raising concerns about the agency’s future independence.December 23, 2025
- Borrowers who use Zillow Home Loans pay more, study suggestsA disputed report, which received funding from Zillow competitor CoStar, found that ZHL borrowers paid more than those who used other lenders between 2022-2024.Updated January 5, 2026
- ‘Aggressive housing reform’ coming soon, Trump saysThe president teased plans for bold reform in 2026. Plus, legislators unveil bipartisan housing package; Fed reappoints regional bank presidents; more.December 19, 2025
- Lawmakers sound the alarm about Compass-Anywhere dealTwo Democratic senators are calling on the DOJ and FTC to “closely scrutinize” the $1.6B mega-merger to make sure it doesn’t violate antitrust law.December 18, 2025
- ‘Playmakers’: ROI of NAR membership is ‘astronomical,’ CEO saysWatch the conversation as NAR CEO Nykia Wright outlines the top benefits of being a Realtor and explains the difficulty of enforcing “professionalism.”December 15, 2025
- Fed chair candidate sees ‘plenty of room’ to cut rates in 2026Plus, a report questions Trump’s old mortgage documents; CFPB official resigns; ROAD to Housing Act is derailed; NFIP advocates push for long-term approval.December 10, 2025
- The Ten: Rocket’s determination to break the industry moldFollowing the company’s acquisition of Redfin, CEO Varun Krishna believes Rocket will integrate the homebuying process “at a scale the industry has never seen.”December 8, 2025
- FHFA director faces investigation; key housing survey scrappedA watchdog agency will review whether FHFA officials “misused” federal resources to target political foes; Fannie Mae discontinues its National Housing Survey.December 5, 2025
- NAR turnaround is the ‘hardest thing’ CEO has ever doneOn a recent podcast, Nykia Wright shares the feedback she’s heard from frustrated members — and explains how NAR’s new plan aims to address their concerns.November 29, 2025
- What Fed officials are saying about a December cutThe BLS won’t be releasing any new inflation or jobs data before the Federal Reserve's final meeting of 2025, leaving FOMC members in the fog.November 24, 2025
- Fed will be stuck with old jobs data when it meets in DecemberWith no access to Oct. or Nov. employment data before its meeting, a rate cut is uncertain. Plus, Dems want Pulte investigated; new CFPB head nominated; more.November 19, 2025
- Zillow blasts Compass’ ‘hidden listing scheme’ ahead of hearingThe first Compass-Zillow hearing begins Nov. 18. Plus, Batton class status denied; Lutz trial date is set; Alexander brothers sex trafficking trial to proceed.November 13, 2025
- Redfin user info temporarily exposed due to ‘technical error’The incident, which allowed some home shoppers to see other users’ contact details, occurred earlier this month and was fixed within a week, the company said.November 13, 2025
