TechCubiCasa, Realtor.com partner; Property Shield picks up Colorado MLSPlus, Benutech launches an AI-driven document verification tool; WFG makes new financial planning tech available to agents.Real Estate News StaffJanuary 15, 2026
By the NumbersMortgage rates hit 3-year low — what it means for spring salesRates fell after Trump directed GSEs to buy mortgage-backed securities. Will it be enough to energize a market that ended 2025 with no gain in sales over 2024?Dave GallagherJanuary 15, 2026
IndustryThe Ten: The ‘honorable mentions’ you shouldn’t overlookTo 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.Meghan RoosJanuary 15, 2026
IndustryAppellants have their final say about commissions settlementsArguments over damages and class standing led the Jan. 14 hearing. A ruling on whether to keep the landmark real estate settlements is expected by mid-2026.Dave GallagherJanuary 14, 2026
MLS/AssnIRES MLS appoints new COO; Illinois Realtors invests in advocacyIRES VP Julie Dahl moves up to the C-suite. Plus, longtime NWMLS COO to step down; Illinois Realtors hires 3 government affairs pros; MetroList adds partner.Real Estate News StaffJanuary 14, 2026
BrokeragesReal adds 172 agents in Michigan; SERHANT enters BostonPlus, 2 Minnesota firms merge; Portside Real Estate Group adds associate broker; Michael Saunders names Sanibel branch manager; eXp Romania lays out big goals.Real Estate News StaffJanuary 14, 2026
IndustryZillow, Redfin seek dismissal of FTC suit over rentals dealA Jan. 13 motion argues that the FTC has provided no evidence of antitrust violations, and renters and property managers benefit from the listings partnership.Dave GallagherJanuary 14, 2026
Industry5 new faces in top 10 ranking of real estate’s most powerfulConsolidation, capital and control over listings fueled big changes in the annual SP 200. But one thing didn’t change: Robert Reffkin’s grip on the top spot.Stephanie Reid-SimonsJanuary 14, 2026
By the NumbersHousing will face a ‘significant headwind’ in 2026Despite improving affordability and lower mortgage rates, economic anxiety is expected to mute a housing market rebound in 2026, a Bright MLS survey found. Dave GallagherJanuary 14, 2026
By the NumbersInflation was flat last month, reducing chance of rate cutThe Fed is unlikely to cut interest rates in January, but it might in March. A bigger unknown? How a DOJ probe will affect monetary decisions going forward. Dave GallagherJanuary 13, 2026
BrokeragesGlenn 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.”Meghan RoosUpdated January 14, 2026
IndustryWashington Realtors backs bill targeting private listingsA 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.”AJ LaTraceJanuary 13, 2026
IndustryTrump housing proposals don’t address biggest challengeThe proposals Trump has announced thus far don’t involve boosting housing supply, which economists and industry leaders say must occur to improve affordability.Dave GallagherJanuary 12, 2026
IndustrySERHANT appoints CTO; Florida Realtors, LIBOR install presidentsTech veteran Greg Chan will drive SERHANT's in-house workflow automation platform. Plus, the MBA has a new CFO, and Realty.com adds a chief growth officer.Real Estate News StaffJanuary 12, 2026
IndustryFormer 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.Meghan RoosJanuary 12, 2026
IndustryTrends 2026: How integrated services could reshape the industryZillow and Rocket have taken big steps toward creating an end-to-end homebuying experience that keeps users in their ecosystems. How will it impact brokerages?Real Estate News StaffJanuary 12, 2026
BrokeragesREMAX, C21, Corcoran gain affiliates; KW team launches TX indiePlus, Compass and Elliman welcome new agents; eXp names country leader for Italy; Christie’s enters Patagonia; Coldwell Banker team expands in Florida.Real Estate News StaffJanuary 10, 2026
BrokeragesWhat 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.AJ LaTraceJanuary 9, 2026
IndustryTrump 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.Meghan RoosJanuary 9, 2026
BrokeragesHow did the Compass-Anywhere deal get cleared so quickly?A senior DOJ antitrust official wanted a deeper review of the merger, but got shut down after Compass went over her head, according to the Wall Street Journal.Stephanie Reid-SimonsJanuary 9, 2026