Why the next cycle will belong to real estate agents who have systems, not excuses

The housing market continues to test patience: inventory remains constrained in many regions, buyer and seller activity is starting to normalize and interest rates still shape consumer hesitation (but that may be changing!) By conventional measures, momentum feels limited. Yet beneath those conditio

Welcome to the age of the AI real estate agent

In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) shifted to routine use across the real estate marketing industry, according to a new industry report from Rechat analyzing brokerage surveys and platform performance data. . Brokerages increasingly consolidated listings, customer relationship management (CRM) sy

From Chicago’s housing projects to a home: How MLK’s fight for homeownership equality changed my life

As we prepare to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s important to pause and reflect not only on Dr. King’s national legacy, but also on the work he did in my hometown of Chicago that continues to shape lives, opportunities and generational progress today. Dr. King’s Chicago campaign and the f

Housing demand is off to a solid start in 2026

Housing 2026 is off and going, and so far this year, with mortgage rates near 6% and mortgage spreads near normal levels, 2026 looks to be the first year of actual growth in existing home sales in years. Last week we had solid data in purchase apps and our weekly pending sales data — with inventory

Existing home sales outlook improves as mortgage rates stabilize

Existing home sales have had a nice rise since mid-June, but what will it take for this sales growth trend to continue in 2026? Over the last few years, when rates drop noticeably, sales pick up, but then mortgage rates have shot up over 7% and taken away housing’s momentum. In 2026, are there key v

Megatel Homes will launch crypto rewards for renters and buyers

MegPrime, an affiliate and subsidiary of Texas-based Megatel Homes, is set to launch its digital currency, the MP Token, designed as a rewards platform that renters and homeowners can tap into as a financial path to homeownership. As an inducement to participate in the rewards MP Token program, the

Homebuilder confidence dips in January despite easing mortgage rates

Homebuilding executives are starting the new year with a downbeat view of the housing market, as buyer hesitancy, shaky consumer confidence, shrinking profit margins and elevated incentives weigh on the industry.  The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI

Logan Finance taps Chuck Vaughn for correspondent lending leadership role

Non-QM mortgage lender Logan Finance Corp. announced last week that Chuck Vaughn has joined the company as managing director of correspondent lending. Vaughn will oversee strategic initiatives, efforts to expand market share, the launch of Logan Finance’s select delegated channel and lead operationa

Invitation Homes’ $89 million ResiBuilt buy brings building in-house

Invitation Homes’ $89 million acquisition of ResiBuilt – one of homebuilding mergers and acquisitions’ 2026 table-setters – is a “small” deal that can change the rules of engagement and shift the balance of competitive power for two adjacent ecosystems. Here’s the context: Single-family rental REITs

MetroList broadens California MLS footprint

MetroList— northern California’s largest multiple listing service (MLS) — has added the Madera County Association of Realtors to its platform. With the addition of the Madera County Association, MetroList now serves 15 counties in central and northern California and supports listing data sharing acr

New bill seeks elimination of capital gains tax on home sales

Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Texas) introduced legislation this week, dubbed the Don’t Tax the American Dream Act, that would eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the sale of primary residences. “Americans are overtaxed. The Don’t Tax the American Dream Act repeals costly capital gains taxes on home sa

Gen X, millennials set to inherit trillions in real estate wealth

For years, the coming wealth transfer sounded theoretical. Now it’s showing up in closing rooms, estate sales and sudden all-cash offers as younger buyers inherit property — and purchasing power — at unprecedented scale. Coldwell Banker Real Estate released its Global Luxury 2026 Trend Report, findi

New Venture Escrow expands into Los Angeles

New Venture Escrow has opened a new office in Los Angeles, expanding its operations into one of the nation’s largest real estate markets. The independent escrow company said the new location will be staffed by escrow officers Marcine Kline and Carmen Alvarado — two longtime professionals in the Los

DOJ investigation clouds future of Fed chair nomination

The future of the Federal Reserve‘s leadership is in limbo due to an investigation into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell that has prompted bipartisan backlash. Following the news about a Department of Justice (DOJ) probe into Powell, Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Elizabeth Warren of (D-Mass.) accuse

Former UWM attorney sues for wrongful termination over title letter signing policy

A former corporate attorney is accusing Michigan-based United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) of retaliation and wrongful termination after he refused to sign attorney opinion letters (AOLs) in states where he was not licensed. The plaintiff claims the requirement stemmed from a policy change implemented i

Early Alexander Brothers accuser found dead in Australia

Kate Whiteman, an Australian woman whose sexual assault allegations against real estate broker Oren Alexander and his twin brother Alon Alexander spurred similar claims from others, was found dead near Sydney late last year, Australian authorities said. A spokesman for the New South Wales coroner co

Kim Harris Campbell named CEO of Century 21 New Millennium, Hetherington moves to board

Century 21 New Millennium has a new CEO. The brokerage announced the appointment of Kim Harris Campbell as its new CEO on Thursday.  Harris Campbell will also serve as the CEO of NM Real Estate Services, the parent company of Century 21 New Millennium.  Her appointment is effective immediately, acco

Ohio lawmakers push for senior foreclosure protection

Two Ohio state representatives are supporting legislation they say will establish clear statewide protections against property tax‑related foreclosures for the state’s senior homeowners. Reps. David Thomas (R) and Adam Mathews (R) highlighted H.B. 443, known as the Senior Protection from Foreclosure

REMAX adds two major Toronto brokerages from Royal LePage

REMAX is making moves north of the border. On Thursday, the real estate brokerage franchisor announced the conversion of two large Royal LePage-affiliated firms serving the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).  Together, the two firms represent roughly 1,200 agents and 17 offices, including 16 in the GTA.  R

US foreclosure filings rise 14% in 2025 as FHA borrowers face greater risk

Foreclosure filings were reported on 367,460 U.S. properties in 2025, up 14% from 2024 and up 3% from 2023. Foreclosure filings in 2025 were also down 87% from a peak of nearly 2.9 million in 2010. That’s according to ATTOM‘s Year-End 2025 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, released Thursday, which is