Why independent brokerages may have the advantage in real estate’s next chapter

The real estate industry has never lacked for uncertainty. But if there was a prevailing message from a panel of brokerage leaders moderated by Paul Boomsma, president and CEO of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE), it’s that perspective matters. For brokerage leaders navigating c

Reported layoffs at Morgan Stanley hit mortgage and wealth management units

Morgan Stanley’s reported layoff of about 3% of its workforce — roughly 2,500 employees — is affecting some staff working on mortgage origination services for wealth management clients. The bank is cutting positions across its estimated 83,000-employee global workforce due to shifts in business prio

New York’s housing crisis won’t be solved by one mega-project

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s attempt to revive an old plan to build 12,000 affordable units over a borough railyard is seen as a long shot, even if he gains support from President Trump. Mamdani has garnered headline attention for proposing to build units on a platform above Sunnyside Yard,

Florida Agency Network partners with law firm to launch OL Title

Florida Agency Network (FAN) has launched OL Title, a new title and settlement services company formed in affiliation with Older Lundy Law. The new venture will focus on commercial real estate and high-end residential transactions across Florida — combining the legal capabilities of Older Lundy Law

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty promotions include new CFO

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty has promoted three longtime executives — naming Abigail Tezniarz as chief financial officer and elevating Melissa Morehouse and Frank Russell to associate vice president roles. Tezniarz, who joined the brokerage in 2004, has held a series of senior finance posi

5 referral partners every loan officer needs to build a resilient pipeline

A strong loan pipeline is never built on a single referral source. The homebuying cycle is unpredictable, with rates changing and transaction volume rising and falling. Relying too heavily on one source leaves the pipeline lacking. Loan officers who cultivate a variety of referral partners create st

Trump 401(k) plan, if expanded, could advance universal retirement

A recent op-ed argues that President Donald Trump’s proposal to expand access to 401(k)-style retirement plans could become a meaningful step toward a universal savings system — but only if it goes further than currently outlined. Karl Polzer, founder of the Center on Capital and Social Equity, wrot

High-producing South Carolina team joins REMAX

After 12 years in real estate and three years leading The McNulty Team under the Coldwell Banker brand, Shannon McNulty has opened her own brokerage — REMAX Reliable Realty — in Blythewood, South Carolina. Her team will join her under the new office, which will also recruit individual agents. Shanno

Senate Democrats propose bill targeting corporate homeowner tax breaks

Senate Democrats, led by Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, last week unveiled legislation aimed at curbing corporate ownership of single-family homes and redirecting federal tax benefits toward affordable housing development. The bill, known as the American Homeownership

Fair housing groups urge court to reject Colony Ridge settlement

Fair housing and immigrant advocacy groups are urging a federal court in Texas to reject a proposed settlement between Colony Ridge Development LLC and federal agencies over alleged predatory lending practices. The groups say that key provisions of the agreement are “unlawful, unnecessary and unrela

PulteGroup partners with SitecoreAI to bolster its marketing strategy

PulteGroup this week agreed to join the ranks of homebuilding enterprises that have adopted SitecoreAI, integrating the omnichannel digital content marketing platform into its marketing, sales and CRM tech stack to improve homebuying digital user experience.  SitecoreAI – used by global consumer mar

9 strategies to build mortgage referral clients and grow your pipeline

Strong mortgage pipelines are built on intentional, trust-based referral partnerships, not chasing one-off leads. When referral relationships are nurtured, the interaction shifts from transactional leads to relationship-driven introductions. These partners actively boost your reputation, just as you

Engel & Volkers: Next generation of luxury homebuyers ready to make their mark

Engel & Völkers has released a new report examining how high-earning young adults are influencing the luxury housing market in North America. The report, titled “The New HENRYs: How the Next Generation Is Shaping Luxury Real Estate,” analyzes homeownership and purchasing behavior among individuals c

Baird & Warner launches AI social media assistant

Baird & Warner has launched a customized social media marketing assistant for its agents through an exclusive agreement with Rejig.AI in the Chicagoland market. The artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform was rolled out companywide on Tuesday under a one-year exclusive agreement, according to

Here’s what will actually move the needle on housing affordability

Housing affordability continues to dominate the headlines, but most proposed “solutions” rely on assumptions that are either unlikely or insufficient on their own. Falling interest rates, off-site construction, government subsidies and value engineering all play a role. None of them – individually o

Portland tests PadSplit model to ease inventory, affordability crunch

The City of Portland, Oregon, has tapped PadSplit as a Qualified Home Sharing Provider for its new Home Sharing Pilot Program — marking the first time a municipality has formally partnered with the company and attached direct financial incentives to participation. Launched by the Portland Housing Bu

Florida’s Sandra Rathe Team joins The Real Brokerage

The Real Brokerage has brought on RealTrends Verified-ranked The Sandra Rathe Team, adding 20 agents and $135 million in annual sales volume across South Florida. Led by Sandra Rathe and founded in 2009, the team operates in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The group closed 220 sides in

HECM, HMBS activity falls sharply in February

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) endorsements fell sharply in February, continuing a broader slowdown in the reverse mortgage industry. The total number of HECMs endorsed during the month dropped 20.7% to 1,821 loans. While February’s shorter calendar often results in fewer endorsements, the s

Mortgage rates jump after Iran strike rattles markets

Late last week, the U.S. housing market appeared to be on solid footing going into March, but a wrench was unexpectedly thrown into the works when the U.S. and Israel launched a military strike against Iran over the weekend. Mortgage News Daily reported Monday that 30-year fixed rates jumped 13 basi

Stellar MLS transitions CEO role from Merri Jo Cowen to Shayne Fairley

After more than 17 years at the helm, MLS industry veteran and 2025 HousingWire Woman of Influence Merri Jo Cowen has officially stepped down from her role as the CEO of Florida’s Stellar MLS, according to an announcement on Tuesday. She is being replaced by Shayne Fairley.  Stellar MLS had previous