February Demo Day: DigitalTax® Forecasting Insights by Cotality

DigitalTax® Forecasting Insights DigitalTax Forecasting Insights helps servicers and local governments anticipate future tax amounts and escrow needs by identifying potential shortages early. Our Forecasting tool improves cash‑flow planning, reveals drivers behind underfunded accounts, and enables p

The ultimate listing appointment checklist for agents (+ tips & scripts)

Successful listing agents know that winning the listing starts long before they walk through the door. Preparation is what allows you to lead the conversation, answer questions with confidence, and avoid getting caught off guard during the appointment. This guide breaks down exactly how to prepare f

Zillow and Redfin ordered to produce documents in $100M rental syndication antitrust case

Zillow and Redfin must turn over documents related to their $100 million rental syndication agreement, according to a court order issued on Thursday in the antitrust lawsuit filed by state and federal regulators.  On Thursday, Judge William Porter ruled that the defendants must comply with the docum

The Mortgage Collaborative, MBA partner to expand advocacy efforts

The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC) and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) on Monday announced a partnership aimed at expanding advocacy, education and engagement opportunities for independent mortgage lenders. The Mortgage Collaborative, the largest independent cooperative network for mortgage len

Looming risk for mortgage credit and MBS investors from “Lender Choice”

Since 1996 when Freddie Mac introduced the industry to the first automated underwriting system (AUS) for GSE-eligible mortgages, a borrower’s credit score has served as one of the most important predictors of mortgage delinquency.  For many years thereafter, FICO score was the sole provider of score

Housing inventory and new listings show impact of winter weather

I was amazed that the last Housing Market Tracker didn’t show much drama from the epic late-January snowstorm that impacted much of the U.S., but today’s tracker data got hit for sure. However, the housing market will be back in full force again soon. Last week, inventory declined, new listings data

Why antitrust talk may be a pressure tactic — not a probe — against homebuilders

A Friday-morning news report suggesting that the Trump administration is exploring an antitrust probe into U.S. homebuilders landed with its intended shock value. The implication? Washington, having rattled its saber, may be preparing to treat large builders as a concentrated market actor whose beha

Why antitrust talk may be a pressure tactic — not a probe —against homebuilders

A Friday-morning news report suggesting that the Trump administration is exploring an antitrust probe into U.S. homebuilders landed with its intended shock value. The implication? Washington, having rattled its saber, may be preparing to treat large builders as a concentrated market actor whose beha

Lofty details new agentic AI operating system for real estate agents, brokers

Lofty is leaning into the next phase of artificial intelligence (AI) in real estate, not just assisting agents, but quietly running much of the business for them. The real estate technology company has introduced Lofty AOS, which it describes as the industry’s first agentic AI operating system built

A spring selling eve – pre-game – note to homebuilding leaders

Homebuilders — many we talk with — are calling today’s selling environment one of “demand uncertainty.” The phrase is clear. Traffic is uneven. Conversions are harder to forecast. Buyers hesitate longer, ask sharper questions, and walk away more often. The label itself may quietly misdirect leadersh

Realtor.com Q2 revenue rises 10% as visitor traffic outpaces rivals

Visitor traffic was a high point for Realtor.com during the second quarter of parent company News Corp.’s fiscal year. The firm announced its financial results for the quarter ending on December 31, 2025, on Thursday.  During the quarter, revenue at Move, the operator of Realtor.com was $143 million

Hanna, Windermere and three more brokerages settle home seller commission lawsuits

An additional five home seller commission lawsuit settlement agreements have gained final approval. On Thursday, Judge Stephen Bough, a Kansas City-based U.S. District Court judge, granted final approval to settlements reached by Hanna Holdings, William Raveis Real Estate, EXIT Realty Corp., Winderm

House scales back proposed VA mortgage fee hike

Just weeks after mortgage trade groups expressed concern about a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would raise fees on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, Republicans in Congress have revised the original proposal. The bill, H.R. 6047 — also known as the Sharri Briley and Er

Restitution checks possible for some reverse mortgage borrowers after CFPB action

Reverse mortgage borrowers whose loans were previously serviced by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subcontractor NOVAD Management Consulting LLC may receive reimbursement checks in the mail following a 2024 enforcement action brought by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Judge denies Compass injunction against Zillow listing policy

A New York City-based U.S. District Court judge has denied Compass’s preliminary injunction motion in its antitrust lawsuit against Zillow.  As a result of Judge Jeannette Vargas’ ruling, Zillow may continue enforcing its listing access standard policy, which bans listings from its site that have be

Redfin rolls out ChatGPT app for real estate searches

Redfin, which is now owned by Rocket Companies, is following in Zillow’s footsteps and launching an app integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.  The company announced Friday that ChatGPT users now have access to a Redfin app within the platform that allows users to locate property listings relevant to th

Foreign investors keep U.S. real estate moving

While many of the latest conversations around the U.S. real estate market have focused on affordability and interest rates, one segment continues to move forward: foreign investors. While domestic buyers remain more cautious, investors from abroad are driving much of the transaction volume in many U

‘Your listing, your lead’ isn’t the problem — professionalism is

It’s a story of frustration that many buyers and agents can relate to. Buyers repeatedly reaching out to listing agents to see properties, only to receive no response. Calls go unanswered, questions linger and access to homes stalled. That frustration is real and deserves acknowledgment. Consumers s

Rocket, Redfin air first joint Super Bowl ad focused on community

Rocket Companies and Redfin on Thursday unveiled a Super Bowl commercial centered on community and the importance of neighborliness, marking the companies’ first shared national ad and Redfin’s first appearance in a Super Bowl broadcast since the company’s founding 20 years ago. The 60-second spot,

Will New York’s manufactured housing law reshape home financing?

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a long-awaited state law designating manufactured housing as real estate in December. In the 11 months ahead, the question is whether the newly enacted measure can deliver on its promised mortgage-style financing or stalls amid legislative rulemaking. Regulators, le