Taking 2026 By Storm: Seizing the Opportunities in Today’s Market

After another tough year for real estate, brokerage leaders are ready to turn the corner and hit the ground running in 2026 to take advantage of a gradually improving market. Brokers and agents can learn what’s on the minds of the nation’s top industry executives by tuning into RISMedia’s 6th Annual Real Estate’s Rocking in… …more

PropStream Launches New BatchDialer Quick Access

PropStream has announced a new enhancement, The BatchDialer Quick Access button, designed to help users move faster and work more efficiently, according to a release. This update is part of an ongoing effort to enhance cross-product compatibility, providing real estate professionals with a more seamless experience when using PropStream for lead generation and BatchDialer for… …more

Harnessing the Power of AI Technology

Above, Morgan Carey Last month, Real Estate Webmasters (REW) introduced AI-Generated Call Transcripts and Summaries, giving agents the ability to automatically capture conversations and key details on REW CRM. This tool was designed to help real estate professionals focus on meaningful client conversations, while keeping accurate records of lead interaction. Now, Real Estate Webmasters is… …more

NAR Pulls Back From MLS Policymaking With ‘Comprehensive’ Update

HOUSTON—The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) wrapped up its annual conference Monday with the Board of Directors (BOD) approving sweeping policy changes, many explicitly as part of an “antitrust risk assessment” effort. Most notably, the association, today, announced the approval of 18 comprehensive updates to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Handbook, constituting the most extensive… …more

NAR Chief Economist: ‘The Light Is Flashing at the End of the Tunnel’

Buoyed by the reopening of the government on Thursday, a bit of optimism was in the air at NAR NXT, where Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun predicted a 14% increase in existing-home sales in 2026, along with a 5% increase in new-home sales, a 4% increase in the median home price, and mortgage rates settling… …more

FirstTeam Announces Former LIV Sotheby’s VP to Serve as Broker of Record in Washington

FirstTeam®, a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE), has announced that Aaron Shriner has been named a founding member and broker of Record in Washington state, and will also support clients in Idaho. Shriner previously served as a vice president and managing broker at Group One Sotheby’s International Realty and at… …more

Court Report: Zillow and Compass Injunction Hearing Begins This Week

The COURT REPORT is RISMedia’s weekly look at current and upcoming lawsuits, investigations and other legal developments around real estate. Zillow and Compass hearing begins Tuesday, Nov. 18  On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Compass and Zillow will meet in court for a scheduled four-day hearing held in New York City, the latest round in the ongoing… …more

NAR Promises Accountability and Transparency as Exec Committee Approves 2026-2028 Strategic Plan

HOUSTON—In a highly anticipated move, today, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has adopted a new 2026-2028 strategic plan that promises to modernize the organization and transform the member experience. Approved unanimously by the NAR Executive Committee, the plan is set for implementation on Jan. 1, 2026. “NAR is rebuilding trust by executing the largest… …more

Global Spotlight: From Naval Base to Creative Hub—How Porto Montenegro’s New Residences Redefine Waterfront Living

Above, poolside retreat.  As a proud member of the Destinations program, Porto Montenegro introduces its latest residences, setting a new global standard for waterfront living at the crossroads of heritage, luxury and innovation. Porto Montenegro, long established as the Adriatic’s leading luxury waterfront destination, has unveiled the next chapter of its evolution with Vero and… …more

Industry Reaction to 50-Year Mortgage Proposal: Probably Not a ‘Game Changer’

As mortgage rates saw little shifts during this past week, President Donald Trump and members of his administration have floated an idea to galvanize new homebuyers: the 50-year mortgage. In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared a photo comparing the proposal to how President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the federally backed 30-year mortgage during… …more

MRED Doubles Down on Private Listings Despite Zillow Pressure

A little over a week after Zillow sought to clarify its discussions with Chicago-based Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) over restrictions on private listings, the MLS appears to be digging in, as this week MRED CEO Rebecca Jensen sent an emotional open letter to members defending its private listing network against a “one-size-fits-all model.” With… …more

Century 21 Expands into Orlando’s Western Suburbs With New Affiliation

Century 21 Real Estate LLC has announced its latest affiliation of Hancock Realty Group in Clermont, fortifying the brand’s presence in the Orlando Metropolitan area. Founder and current broker/owner Matthew L. Mobley brings over 20 years of real estate experience to the firm, as well as 24 years of experience living in the area, according… …more

Pssst…AI Is Making Us Dumber. Pass It On.

Despite the dizzying pace of adoption and the breathless prognostication of the enormous benefits to humanity of artificial intelligence (AI), I can’t escape the sinking feeling that AI is actually making us…well, dumber.   The problems with AI aren’t what you think AIs are programmed by humans–which means that just like those little genetic DNA markers… …more

Judge Strikes Class Certification Motions in Buyer Case in Win for NAR, Brokerages

A judge has ruled in defendants’ favor over the class certification dispute in the largest homebuying commission case: Batton vs. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR).  Judge LaShonda A. Hunt granted a motion by defendants in the case, who include big brokerages along with NAR, ruling that the plaintiffs’ motions for Class Certification “stricken without… …more

Relocating a Humanoid: A New Frontier for Corporate Relocation

Above: Phantom, a humanoid designed for advanced manufacturing, on scene of the Reindustrialize Summit. When dealing with corporate relocation, most moves typically involve people, their families and household goods. But earlier this year, RELO Direct®—Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®’s (LeadingRE) full-service relocation management company—was asked to relocate something entirely different: a humanoid robot.… …more

Bright MLS Partners With ICE Mortgage Technology to Bring Paragon Connect to Its Ecosystem

Bright MLS announces that it will integrate ICE’s Paragon Connect MLS platform into its technology ecosystem to support its future growth. Paragon Connect is a mobile-first MLS platform created to allow real estate professionals to research, collaborate and manage listings from anywhere. The platform offers API integrations, advanced collaboration tools and powerful customization tools that… …more

LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance Honors Agent With Award for Service

The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance announced Melissa Young as the recipient of the Drew Griffin Beacon of Light Award at the conclusion of last week’s Presidential and Cabinet Inauguration. The Beacon of Light Award honors the late PFLAG Pacific Northwest Regional Director Drew Griffin, who served on the Alliance’s original Steering Committee, and annually recognizes… …more

In Court Brief, Zillow Again Asserts Legality of Private Listing Rules

In a legal filing Nov. 12 in New York’s U.S. District Court ahead of a high-stakes hearing starting Nov. 18 to address Compass’s preliminary injunction motion, Zillow defended its new rules around private listings amid its ongoing court battle with Compass. The standards, which took effect in June, prohibit listings on Zillow that are publicly… …more

Mortgage Rates See Little Movement This Week

Mortgage rates saw little movement this week, reflecting a overall market pause related to the government shutdown these past weeks and related uncertainty, economists say. According to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) released by Freddie Mac Thursday, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) moved up 2 basis points this week to 6.24% from… …more

MarketWatch Names eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja to The 2025 MarketWatch 25

eXp Realty® announced that CEO Leo Pareja has been named to The 2025 MarketWatch 25, the outlet’s annual list celebrating influential leaders driving innovation and progress across industries. MarketWatch recognized Pareja for his leadership in redefining modern real estate through transparency, accessibility and empowerment according to a release. Since being appointed CEO in 2024, eXp… …more