Exclusives

Windermere Co-President OB Jacobi explains what goes into an acquisition — including when it does — and doesn’t — make sense for companies to come together.

A combination of major consolidations and a less cooperative environment could make residential brokerage look more commercial, eXp’s CEO warns.

Realizing it was “inextricably linked to the entire industry,” the portal began investing in tools for all agents, not just paying customers, said COO Jun Choo.

Kamini Lane says her stance hasn’t changed — but in the few cases where listing privately makes sense, her brokerage is committed to providing the best tools.

Now at 10k members — with no help from Compass — American REA is ready to hire, step up growth and “coexist peacefully with NAR,” says Co-founder Jason Haber.

Anne Marie DeCatsye, who is working to decouple her association and MLS, says she’s “astounded” that associations tie their value — and finances — to their MLS.

United Real Estate is on a mission — and locating “the true gems in the marketplace” is key to bolstering its talent pool, President Rick Haase said.

Hanna believes the portal’s new listing standards “penalize” agents and home sellers, while his brokerage — and Compass — are the real innovators.

Hoby Hanna dishes on what it takes to be the nation’s largest privately held brokerage and the advantages — and challenges — of being an independent brand.

Ally Realty's Anthony Ruperto is working to make homeownership accessible to all. "I see it as my responsibility as a Realtor," he says, "to call for change."

John Finn, co-founder of Virginia’s largest Black-owned brokerage, has seen a lot over his long career. One constant? His belief that diversity fosters success.

In a speech to industry executives, Scott Turner emphasized the agency’s “mission-minded focus” — and his plans to cut out the bureaucracy that gets in the way.

Chris Kelly believes a recent New York Times podcast painted an inaccurate picture of agents, and he thinks consumers are more concerned about closing deals.

“As a leader, you have to draw a line,” Leo Pareja said of his opposition to the trend, adding that agents who push sellers to list off-MLS could face lawsuits.

Chris Kelly is eager to move past the challenges of the past 18 months and focus on unifying and growing the company, with agents and consumers at the core.

In his first interview since joining Keller Williams, Christopher Czarnecki shares his take on the company’s greatest strength and what success looks like.

“We're gonna kick their ass and we're going to do it without a private listing network,” Windermere Co-President OB Jacobi said about competing with Compass.

NAREB’s Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose tells Real Estate News independent brokers and consumers will “suffer” if efforts to bolster private listing channels persist.

“I believe that Real needs me in a bigger capacity right now,” Srivatsaa told Real Estate News. The brokerage announced March 12 that he is moving to the board.

Errol Samuelson believes “consumers and agents are being misled” about private listings, and for big brokerages, any competitive advantage would be short-lived.

The upstart brokerage offers both rev share and fee-based plans, which CEO Robert Palmer believes will be key to their growth. So far, it seems to be working.

Real estate visionary Stefan Swanepoel says the fragmented industry must pull together despite differences over issues like Clear Cooperation. Here’s how.

See what leading industry influencers shared exclusively with Real Estate News on topics spanning commissions lawsuits, NAR, and brokerage and MLS success.

After her New York Times story sparked controversy, Debra Kamin told Real Estate News that agents — and the public — deserve to know how NAR spends its money.

Damian Eales sees Zillow as both a top competitor and an important partner, and explains why he has continued to “call out” Homes.com.

Want to repeal the CCP? Then you shouldn’t be able to build your own listing networks while pulling from the cooperative MLS feed, says eXp CEO Leo Pareja.

A lot has happened — leadership changes, settlements, new rules — but some say it's still too early to know how the landmark verdict will affect 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.

With new industry practice changes now in effect, agents can face real consequences for breaking the rules. MLSs — and brokerages — are trying to help.

The president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate is focused on moving forward. "You can spend your energy fighting what’s happening, or lean into it."

Brokerages need to define their purpose in this new era, says Keller Williams CEO Mark Willis, and training, tech will be key to KW’s identity.

“We have to act as an industry. We have to do something,” Jason Haber, co-founder of the American Real Estate Association, told Real Estate News.

Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, embraced entrepreneurship and “took a U-turn” from law to become a leading force in the industry.

Ryan Schneider tells Real Estate News that being the “first mover and the fastest learner” helped the brokerage prepare its agents for the changes ahead.

Barton and Jeremy Wacksman speak exclusively with Real Estate News about the leadership transition at the top of the influential home-search site.

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.

Eric Elfman took the helm at the proptech giant in June and is ready to take on competitors, go deeper with AI and “get back to customer-centricity.”

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.

Bailey, the former CEO of RE/MAX, discussed the keys to success when leading a business that is accountable to both customers and shareholders.

CEO Brian Bair discusses the iBuyer’s push to expand agent programs and its strategy for success in a post-settlement future.

Cassie Walker Johnson not only supports buyer contracts, she offers training on them: “This is the tool that will define your entire professional relationship.”

CEO John Berkowitz says the home search company offers agents and consumers “a better chance of succeeding” than its deep-pocketed competitors.

Will Homes.com sell buyer agent leads? “Never,” says Andy Florance, who believes all the portals will eventually move to “your listing, your lead.”

Damian Eales told Real Estate News that he loves competition but takes issue with Homes.com’s traffic claims and says they have “disparaged” buyer agents.

Alex Vidal, who took the helm at ERA last June, thinks about real estate like he thinks about his athletic endeavors — you have to work through the challenges.

In a conversation with Real Estate News, Realtor.com CEO Damian Eales discussed NAR, the benefits of major rule changes and the role of home search sites.

Mark Willis returned to Keller Williams after a 7-year hiatus, and he’s ready to lead in a new way. “It’s not about proving myself. It’s about impact.”

As his namesake firm celebrates 50 years, Bill Raveis says the key to surviving rough cycles is to look for opportunities and “figure it out.”

In a conversation with Real Estate News, Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose of NAREB discussed the pros and cons of the recent settlement and upcoming rule changes.

Laura Ellis, chief strategy officer at the Chicago firm, says part-timers may not make it in the post-settlement world, but serious agents will excel.

The CEO of NextHome, founder of Rayse and co-host of an "unfiltered" podcast isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts on the agent value prop, tech and NAR.

Kamini Lane, who took the helm less than a year ago, has reshaped her leadership team and sharpened her focus on empowerment and making a positive impact.

C21 President and CEO Mike Miedler says growth is more than numbers, it’s creating opportunities for the future — and being “ready, willing and able to grow.”

United boosted agent count in 2023, but not with rev share or stock incentives. CEO Dan Duffy shared his thoughts on why the flat-fee model is a win for agents.

Stellar MLS CEO Merri Jo Cowen reflects on 40 years in the industry, what consumers don’t know about MLSs, and the need for a thoughtful approach to AI.

“We’re trying to be an example of what an association can do,” says René Galvan, who will take over for Bob Hale as CEO in 2026.

Candice McCuien became the first Black woman elected to lead her association, breaking new ground while successfully aligning her brokerage with Century 21.

Ryan Schneider spoke to Real Estate News about his company’s decision to settle in the commissions cases and his thoughts on NAR and the year ahead.

A new survey finds that most brokerages and agents are using artificial intelligence tools, especially ChatGPT. But they need to watch out for the risks.

New York Times journalist Debra Kamin talked to Real Estate News about the response to her investigations, why her eXp story “hit differently,” and what’s next.

Mikaela Arroyo of John Burns Research says homebuyers will prioritize affordability over 'bells and whistles' and accept smaller homes that meet their needs.

Laura Ellis, Baird & Warner’s strategy leader, believes changes spurred by Sitzer/Burnett will be “good for the serious, competent real estate professional.”

When Melissa Savenko told a pair of buyer clients about the recent verdict, they balked at the idea of paying commissions. She thinks it's just the beginning.

In response to Homes.com’s huge traffic growth, Damian Eales said “poor-quality audience and stunts lead to low-quality leads.”

Damian Eales talked to Real Estate News about why the industry “should be careful what some people are wishing for” and his perspective on NAR.

Atlanta–area agent Amy Fuchs says people don’t always understand how their agents are compensated, and she worries commissions lawsuits could hurt buyers.

Charlotte agent Joan Goode says a lot has changed for buyers over the past few years, and upfront conversations about inventory, compensation are important.

Side President Steve Capezza, who moved to the brokerage platform in January after almost a decade at Zillow, believes there’s power in finding joy in the work.

Greg Schwartz, CEO of online lender Tomo and former head of Zillow’s Premier Agent business, sees some relief ahead for consumers — and a reckoning for agents.

The CEOs of UpEquity and EasyKnock say their buy-before-you-sell products make offers stronger and help agents close more deals.

Chief Growth Officer Michael Valdes says eXp doesn’t “recruit” agents in a transactional sense, but seeks to “attract” for long-term growth and success.

Marcos Martinez loves helping clients find their dream home, but worries the relationship will get more transactional if buyers are forced to pay commissions.

Monika Kaszycka says buyer’s agents already work hard, and they’ll have to prove their value even more if buyers have to pay them upfront.

An ambitious challenge from Homes.com for consumer market share and agent dollars has reignited the portal competition, says former Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff.

For Heather Maddox, working with buyers is "exciting and positive," and she’s confident she’ll continue to get paid no matter the outcome of lawsuits.

NWMLS CEO Tom Hurdelbrink says brokerage expansion is changing how MLSs operate, and lawsuits could spur an industry-wide “generational and tectonic shift.”

Spencer Rascoff said home search portals may need to pivot in a world where buyers agents are no longer paid via the listing agent’s commission.

Emily Clark, president of Robert Paul Properties, discusses her top goals for the year and why agents should pay more attention to the industry.

Red Oak Realty CEO Vanessa Bergmark has clear goals for growth — and for finding and keeping great agents, no matter the market.

Emily Chenevert, CEO of ABoR and the newly rebranded Unlock MLS, wants Austin buyers and sellers to associate "MLS" with more than just soccer.

Realtracs CEO Stuart White believes the MLS landscape could look very different in a post-"cooperation and compensation" future.

Dava Davin, whose firm did nearly $860M in sales volume in the past 12 months, believes a philosophy of altruism has helped her win clients — and agents.

Natalie Grubb Campbell, who manages Village Properties alongside her mom, makes sure her agents are "equipped to handle any situation" in a changing market.

Shawna Alt, CEO of First Weber Realtors, believes that in hard times, agents should focus on what they can control, and leaders should celebrate small wins.

The Baird & Warner CEO shares how his family business has thrived in a cyclical, sometimes “regressive” industry, and discusses the future of buyer agency.

The Collaborative Edge is a group of five brokers who manage their own client relationships but share time and resources to help one another succeed.

Gene Millman, the leader of Colorado's largest MLS, believes MLSs "have a bad habit of forming silos" — but by working together, they can be stronger.

Pinnacle Realty Advisors CEO Sam Sawyer discusses his company’s model, growth trajectory and the traps they’re trying to avoid along the way.

In an exclusive interview, CoStar CEO Andy Florance shared his ambitious road map for Homes.com’s growth and a critique of the site's competitors.

HomeServices of America CEO Gino Blefari knows what agents are facing — and what they’re capable of. His advice? Keep going. Winning is possible.

President and CEO Nick Bailey — a 30-year industry veteran — takes a long-term perspective on real estate, and he already sees positive shifts.

Brokerage leader Bill Ryan, whose firm recently joined KW, has seen tremendous growth — and a few booms and busts — over his five decades in the industry.

With an Instagram following of 50,000 and nearly 60 sales so far this year, the Upstate Curious team is taking over the Hudson Valley.

For most of its 50 years, Corcoran was a regional player. But in 2020, its affiliate network took off, and “it’s just the beginning of the story.”

Gary Acosta, the organization's co-founder and CEO, is focused on advancing homeownership among the growing segment of Hispanic consumers.