Sharran Srivatsaa on why he’s leaving role as Real president
“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.
March 16, 2025
Exclusives
Exclusive interviews and insights from top industry leaders and influencers.
- LPT Realty CEO on ‘agent choice,’ scaling to 100KThe 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.January 9, 2025
- The architect of Opportunity on the ‘positive potential’ aheadReal estate visionary Stefan Swanepoel says the fragmented industry must pull together despite differences over issues like Clear Cooperation. Here’s how.January 1, 2025
- Quotable moments from a year of notable changeSee what leading industry influencers shared exclusively with Real Estate News on topics spanning commissions lawsuits, NAR, and brokerage and MLS success.December 31, 2024
More Exclusives
- Realtors should know where their NAR dues are going, says NYT reporterAfter 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.December 13, 2024
- Realtor.com CEO on fighting ‘the right way,’ growth, and the CCPDamian Eales sees Zillow as both a top competitor and an important partner, and explains why he has continued to “call out” Homes.com.December 4, 2024
- eXp’s CEO on Clear Cooperation: You can’t take but not giveWant 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.November 13, 2024
- A year after Sitzer/Burnett, are the biggest impacts yet to come?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.November 2, 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
- MLSs want to stop rule violations before they happenWith 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
- Ginger Wilcox: Leading through changeThe 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."August 31, 2024
- KW ‘best equipped to grow’ in post-settlement worldBrokerages 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.August 26, 2024
- Upstart association ready to collect dues, lays out road map“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.August 19, 2024
- The path to becoming one of the top women in real estateBess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, embraced entrepreneurship and “took a U-turn” from law to become a leading force in the industry.August 18, 2024
- Anywhere CEO: ‘Our industry needs more leadership’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.August 14, 2024
- Zillow’s new CEO on what’s next as Rich Barton moves upstairsBarton and Jeremy Wacksman speak exclusively with Real Estate News about the leadership transition at the top of the influential home-search site.August 7, 2024
- Broker sees uncertain future for MLSs and associationsThere’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
- New MoxiWorks CEO poised to disrupt real estate techEric 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.”July 9, 2024
- CoStar CEO calls trade secrets suit ‘laughable,’ looks to futureAndy 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
- Nick Bailey: 5 lessons for leaders of public real estate companiesBailey, the former CEO of RE/MAX, discussed the keys to success when leading a business that is accountable to both customers and shareholders.June 13, 2024
- Offerpad flips the script by offering agents listings, not buyersCEO Brian Bair discusses the iBuyer’s push to expand agent programs and its strategy for success in a post-settlement future.June 5, 2024
- Buy Side: Why buyer agreements are good for agentsCassie Walker Johnson not only supports buyer contracts, she offers training on them: “This is the tool that will define your entire professional relationship.”May 25, 2024
- Movoto wants to win on tech, experiences — not ad spendCEO John Berkowitz says the home search company offers agents and consumers “a better chance of succeeding” than its deep-pocketed competitors.May 24, 2024
- CoStar CEO says competitors are ‘going to adopt our model’Will Homes.com sell buyer agent leads? “Never,” says Andy Florance, who believes all the portals will eventually move to “your listing, your lead.”May 16, 2024
- Realtor.com CEO takes aim at ‘deceptive’ claimsDamian 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.May 14, 2024
- ERA president: To ‘accomplish really big things,’ you need a planAlex 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.May 12, 2024
- Portals ‘should not work against outcomes’ the government seeksIn 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.May 8, 2024
- KW CEO on emerging from the wilderness, looking to the futureMark 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.”April 30, 2024
- NAR deal ‘could be detrimental’ to Black agents, buyersIn 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.April 25, 2024
- Buyer agreements work, sellers still willing to pay: Baird & WarnerLaura 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.April 2, 2024
- James Dwiggins: Industry innovator, podcast provocateurThe 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.April 1, 2024
- Agents are ‘most underserved’ entrepreneurs, Coldwell Banker CEO saysKamini 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.March 11, 2024
- Century 21 CEO: How to grow, even in the toughest timesC21 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.”March 1, 2024
- Why United’s CEO isn’t interested in ‘shiny’ downline modelsUnited 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.February 20, 2024
- Longtime MLS leader 'still passionate,' sees big changes aheadStellar 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.February 5, 2024
- HAR leaders on earning trust and competing with Zillow“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.February 2, 2024
- Brokers in Focus: From burnout to merger — and a moment to make historyCandice McCuien became the first Black woman elected to lead her association, breaking new ground while successfully aligning her brokerage with Century 21.January 27, 2024
- Anywhere CEO ‘wouldn’t trade positions’ with any leader mired in lawsuitsRyan 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.January 25, 2024
- AI ‘a bigger danger’ to real estate than lawsuitsA new survey finds that most brokerages and agents are using artificial intelligence tools, especially ChatGPT. But they need to watch out for the risks.January 21, 2024
- Meet the reporter whose NAR story rocked the industryNew 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.January 17, 2024
- Here’s why 2024 will be 'the year of hunkering down'Mikaela Arroyo of John Burns Research says homebuyers will prioritize affordability over 'bells and whistles' and accept smaller homes that meet their needs.December 27, 2023
- Brokers in Focus: ‘There's no half doing this anymore’Laura Ellis, Baird & Warner’s strategy leader, believes changes spurred by Sitzer/Burnett will be “good for the serious, competent real estate professional.”December 14, 2023
- Buy Side: The impact of Sitzer/Burnett hits homeWhen 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.November 19, 2023
- We want to be No. 1 with ‘no tricks,’ Realtor.com CEO saysIn response to Homes.com’s huge traffic growth, Damian Eales said “poor-quality audience and stunts lead to low-quality leads.”November 17, 2023
- Realtor.com CEO: World without buyer agency a ‘dangerous scenario’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.November 11, 2023
- Buy Side: ‘If you’re going to last in this business, you have to be nimble’Atlanta–area agent Amy Fuchs says people don’t always understand how their agents are compensated, and she worries commissions lawsuits could hurt buyers.October 30, 2023
- Buy Side: 'We've all had to pivot' to adapt to the marketCharlotte agent Joan Goode says a lot has changed for buyers over the past few years, and upfront conversations about inventory, compensation are important.October 14, 2023
- Yes, the market is slow — but for boutique teams, it’s an opportunitySide 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.October 13, 2023
- Mortgage exec: Lower rates, ‘big refi move’ coming in 1-2 yearsGreg 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.October 12, 2023
- No contingencies, more closed deals? These startups say that’s the futureThe CEOs of UpEquity and EasyKnock say their buy-before-you-sell products make offers stronger and help agents close more deals.October 7, 2023
- eXp exec talks rev share, ‘attraction’ and agents’ No. 1 jobChief Growth Officer Michael Valdes says eXp doesn’t “recruit” agents in a transactional sense, but seeks to “attract” for long-term growth and success.September 29, 2023
- Buy Side: Seller-paid commissions are a ‘win-win’Marcos Martinez loves helping clients find their dream home, but worries the relationship will get more transactional if buyers are forced to pay commissions.September 17, 2023
- Buy Side: Changes to commissions 'would hurt buyer's agents for sure'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.September 10, 2023
- It’s ‘game-on again’ for home search portals, says ex-Zillow CEOAn ambitious challenge from Homes.com for consumer market share and agent dollars has reignited the portal competition, says former Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff.September 8, 2023
- Buy Side: Buyers, not agents will suffer if commission structure changesFor 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.September 3, 2023
- Transformative changes are coming, says retiring MLS leaderNWMLS CEO Tom Hurdelbrink says brokerage expansion is changing how MLSs operate, and lawsuits could spur an industry-wide “generational and tectonic shift.”September 2, 2023
- Ex-Zillow CEO: NAR lawsuits ‘a seismic event’ for agents, portalsSpencer 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.September 1, 2023
- Brokers in Focus: 'We're really a marketing and branding company'Emily Clark, president of Robert Paul Properties, discusses her top goals for the year and why agents should pay more attention to the industry.August 30, 2023
- Brokers in Focus: 'We want fewer agents who do more business'Red Oak Realty CEO Vanessa Bergmark has clear goals for growth — and for finding and keeping great agents, no matter the market.August 20, 2023
- Why MLSs should play up their value to consumersEmily Chenevert, CEO of ABoR and the newly rebranded Unlock MLS, wants Austin buyers and sellers to associate "MLS" with more than just soccer.August 2, 2023
- Compensation lawsuits could 'explode' MLS status quoRealtracs CEO Stuart White believes the MLS landscape could look very different in a post-"cooperation and compensation" future.July 26, 2023
- Brokers in Focus: Community-driven approach is a winning strategyDava 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.July 22, 2023
- Brokers in Focus: Education, guidance key to agent successNatalie Grubb Campbell, who manages Village Properties alongside her mom, makes sure her agents are "equipped to handle any situation" in a changing market.July 16, 2023
- Brokers in Focus: Leading with positivity, accepting changeShawna 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.July 9, 2023
- 'Collaboration over competition' fuels Chicago broker collectiveThe Collaborative Edge is a group of five brokers who manage their own client relationships but share time and resources to help one another succeed.June 26, 2023
- REcolorado CEO: MLSs can accomplish more through collaborationGene 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.June 6, 2023
- CEO of fast-growing platform pitches ‘brokerage as a service’Pinnacle Realty Advisors CEO Sam Sawyer discusses his company’s model, growth trajectory and the traps they’re trying to avoid along the way.May 26, 2023
- Homes.com could become No. 2 search portal in 12 months, says CEOIn 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.Updated December 31, 2024
- Butterflies, the “Easy Bus” and a plan for tough timesHomeServices of America CEO Gino Blefari knows what agents are facing — and what they’re capable of. His advice? Keep going. Winning is possible.May 16, 2023
- Why RE/MAX's CEO isn’t worried about the market (but hates a cluttered inbox)President and CEO Nick Bailey — a 30-year industry veteran — takes a long-term perspective on real estate, and he already sees positive shifts.May 11, 2023
- 50-year Arizona real estate veteran sees blue skies aheadBrokerage 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.April 26, 2023
- How one agent on Instagram created a $100M sales teamWith an Instagram following of 50,000 and nearly 60 sales so far this year, the Upstate Curious team is taking over the Hudson Valley.April 21, 2023
- How Corcoran grew from a boutique brand to a global presenceFor 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.”March 10, 2023
- NAHREP CEO: 'We are driving growth in the homeownership space'Gary Acosta, the organization's co-founder and CEO, is focused on advancing homeownership among the growing segment of Hispanic consumers.March 2, 2023
- J. Lennox Scott is ready to grow: 'This is the start of the next 10-year cycle'Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate in the Pacific Northwest, said the market is poised to enter a new period of growth.February 16, 2023
- Corcoran's Pam Liebman: 'We want people to live their best life on their terms'During Liebman’s two decades of leadership, Corcoran has grown from a boutique firm to a national franchise with plans to expand into Europe.February 14, 2023
- BeachesMLS CEO Dionna Hall: 'MLSs are more forward-thinking than ever'Hall, whose organization serves 41,000 members in South Florida, believes a willingness to explore new ideas is key to thriving in a changing industry.February 11, 2023
- Partnership based on 'total trust' fundamental to @properties successCo-CEOs Michael Golden and Thad Wong have worked together for 26 years, starting out as agents before building the Chicago-based brokerage.February 2, 2023
- CEO Christy Budnick prioritizes collaboration at BHHSAs the leader of a massive franchise network, Budnick emphasizes teamwork. "Collaboration really allows us to understand the challenges and potential impacts."January 28, 2023
- Reffkin's advice to leaders: 'Focus on creating value for agents'After a year of upheaval in the industry, the Compass CEO and co-founder aims to make the company cash flow positive and is leaning into culture and community.January 23, 2023
- Collaboration is key for BeachesMLSThe South Florida MLS is focused on greater collaboration "for the betterment of our collective brokers and agents."January 13, 2023
- Proptech startup sets its sights on MLS innovation, integrationOcusell developed a single-entry platform for agents to more easily connect with MLSs. Now, they seek MLSs to connect with their idea.January 2, 2023
- ‘No selfies’ is celebrity agent’s No. 1 tip for working with the starsA Florida real estate agent who works with high-profile buyers and sellers offers five tips for maintaining client security and privacy.December 29, 2022
- Bright MLS: Creating 'a better experience for everyone' with dataBrian Donnellan, Bright’s CEO and president, says the effective use of data is key to "helping agents in their business of helping consumers."December 28, 2022
- NAREB: Supporting ‘democracy in housing’ for consumers, agentsLydia Pope, who leads the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, discusses narrowing the racial gap in homeownership and opening doors for Black agents.November 14, 2022
- Realtor.com CEO David Doctorow ‘staying focused on our purpose’In a shifting real estate environment, Doctorow says the company's mission of serving agents, brokerages and consumers remains their North Star.November 10, 2022
- HomeServices CEO Gino Blefari: ‘Where there is chaos, there is opportunity’Blefari has seen the ups and downs of the market during his four decades in the industry, which helps him keep his sights on profitability and performance.November 8, 2022
- Zillow President Susan Daimler: ‘This is the time to be creative, to invest’After a turbulent year marked by significant layoffs, Zillow is looking to “double down on the things that we believe in” and simplify the real estate journey.November 3, 2022
- CEO Ryan Schneider sees Anywhere thriving in ‘good and challenging times’Schneider, who has led the company since 2017, explains why he is bullish about the future despite turbulence in the economy.November 1, 2022
- RE/MAX CEO Nick Bailey on thriving in a changing economyBailey sees this period as a natural rebalancing, with agents continuing to be front and center: “We’re going to continue to lean into what we are good at.”October 26, 2022
- ‘Focus on a career, not a year’: Gary Keller on working through a downturnKeller sees opportunities for agents and brokers who remain proactive and double down on the aspects of their business that work well.October 23, 2022
