Breaking: NWMLS Signals Intention to Countersue Compass

Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) has indicated its intent to assert counterclaims against Compass, according to a stipulated motion filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The development comes as both parties jointly requested an extension to the case schedule, pushing the jury trial date from June 8, 2026… …more

Mortgage Mix: Credit Reporting Fees Spark Pushback; MBA Urges Reverse Mortgage ‘Improvements’

Editor’s Note: The Mortgage Mix is RISMedia’s biweekly highlight reel of need-to-know mortgage-industry happenings. Watch for it every other Friday afternoon. -Mortgage industry advocates are warning that fee hikes on credit reporting services could be a significant blow to an already struggling housing market. Mortgage lenders are reporting price increases of up to 50% for… …more

The Life, Times, Triumphs and Tribulations of a Residential Real Estate Economist

Above, Brad Case After past positions at the Federal Reserve, Nareit and Fannie Mae, Brad Case brings a breadth of experience to his newly appointed role as chief residential economist at portal giant Homes.com. With more than 35 years of industry expertise, in his new role he will serve as the company’s leading voice on… …more

PCE Report: Inflation Rate Slightly Lower Than Expected

The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index, which is the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge of inflation, rose to 2.8% in September on an annual basis. According to data from the Commerce Department released Dec. 5, core PCE rose 0.2% over the previous month. The report, delayed by the government shutdown, seemingly gives a further green light… …more

Mortgage Industry Calls Foul on Latest Fee Hikes From FICO

American homebuyers are about to see their borrowing costs rise as credit scoring company FICO hikes the fees it charges to pull credit scores and reports for home loan applications. Mortgage lenders are reporting price increases of up to 50% for 2026 for credit score pulls, the fourth consecutive year of price jumps for the… …more

Consumer Sentiment Lifts Slightly in Early December

Throughout 2025, consumer sentiment toward the economy has declined noticeably—does the end of the year bring any turnaround?  According to a preliminary report on consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan (scheduled ahead of the final December report two weeks out), consumer sentiment improved slightly month-over-month. The closely watched index of consumer sentiment came in… …more

Congressional Watchdog to Investigate FHFA Director Over Alleged Abuse of Power

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has launched an investigation into Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte over concerns he may have abused his position and government resources to target political opponents of President Donald Trump with criminal accusations. The probe, confirmed this week by the GAO—Congress’s independent investigative arm—and reported by Reuters follows… …more

The 5 Top Issues Affecting Real Estate, According to NAR Speaker

HOUSTON—At the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) recent NAR NXT conference, real estate industry leader John Hentschel—global chair of The Counselors of Real Estate, a global organization of real property advisors—presented the top issues facing the real estate industry today. What was initially meant to be a “2026 Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate” was… …more

The Untold Story: How a Major Real Estate Professional Association Built Tech Used by Hundreds of Thousands of Pros

Who would guess that one of real estate’s most relied-upon tech ecosystems used by hundreds of thousands of agents and brokers was quietly built by the largest state real estate association in the U.S.? That’s the surprising story behind Florida Realtors®. While many technology platforms come with investor pitches and VC funding rounds, Florida Realtors®… …more

Forbes Global Properties Network Welcomes Harry Norman, REALTORS®

Forbes Global Properties announced it has welcomed Harry Norman, REALTORS® to its international network. Founded in 1930 as the first residential real estate firm in Atlanta, the brokerage will exclusively represent the Forbes Global Properties brand throughout the state of Georgia. From landmark residences to exclusive opportunities, Forbes stated that Harry Norman curates and represents… …more

How the Brokerage Playbook Has Changed

From left to right: Lennox Scott, Jennifer Branchini, Mark Woodroof, Kendall Bonner, Anthony Lamacchia and John Featherston Over the course of its 37 years, RISMedia’s Power Broker Forum has served as a vehicle for confronting the many issues and challenges facing the residential real estate brokerage business, offering insights and strategies from many of the… …more

Seller Negotiations and 3% Risk Premiums: What a ‘Mystery Shopper’ Study Reveals About Real Estate

The industry is two years post the historic outcome of the Burnett trial, and more than one year post-practice changes from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), but the conversations surrounding commissions and compensation have yet to cease. Many could not agree a year ago how the changes in policy (i.e., the requirement of broker-buyer… …more

Realtor.com Projects ‘Turning Point’ for Market in 2026, Falling Short of Rebound

It has been hard to predict the housing market in recent years. From the fastest ever tightening of interest rates in 2022, which brought the pandemic boom market to a screeching halt, all the way through tariff panic that appeared to derail the 2025 spring buying season, experts have had a difficult time anticipating shifts… …more

Slow Price Growth and Mortgage-Rate Drops Forecast for 2026 Housing Market

This year is on track to end with a slower than average housing market, but will 2026 kick real estate into high gear? The 2026 housing forecast from Bright MLS projects another “transition year” for housing, with slight pick-ups in market fundamentals but enduring challenges for first-time buyers, as well as strong differences between regional… …more

Mortgage Rates Improve Again, Pointing to More Affordable 2026

Mortgage rates improved for the second straight week according to new Freddie Mac data, showing a continued lean toward a more affordable market in the fast approaching 2026. The latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® found that the 30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.19%, down from last week when it averaged 6.23%. A year ago… …more

The Ultimate Scottsdale Escape

Property Highlights: Location: Legend Canyon, Scottsdale, Arizona Listing Price: $12,000,000 Features: 7,063-square-foot main residence with four ensuite bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms complete with an attached one-bedroom, two-bathroom casita with full kitchen. Added Appeal: Two pools, spa, retractable poolside screen, chef’s kitchen, four-car temperature-controlled garage, solar-powered efficiency. Rising from the desert floor with the Pinnacle Peak… …more

7 Potential Under-the-Radar Issues That Could Derail a Deal

When clients buy a home, under-the-radar issues often involve factors beyond cosmetic appeal, which can lead to significant financial and legal problems down the line. Key issues include the property’s history, potential environmental hazards and neighborhood dynamics that aren’t immediately obvious. Here are seven things to check on in advance of a closing. Unpermitted work/DIY… …more

The Invisible Engine: How Trestle Powers the Modern Real Estate Market

The tools brokers and agents use every day, from search portals and market reports to AI-driven applications, rely on one fundamental that is often unseen: accurate, timely data. Behind the scenes, the infrastructure that powers this critical data flow is managed by platforms built for reliability and scale. Cotality’s Trestle product serves as the core… …more

eXp Realty Debuts LYVVE Search Platform

eXp Realty has announced the official rollout of LYVVE, an international property search platform designed to reshape how eXp agents and consumers connect across borders. Following a successful beta phase earlier this year, eXp stated that LYVVE is now entering full production, expanding to include listings from nearly 30 countries where eXp Realty operates.  The… …more

Leading With Heart: How Giving Back Builds Stronger Agents and Communities

As the year winds down, there’s a familiar energy in the air—part gratitude, part exhaustion and part reflection on what really matters. For real estate professionals, 2025 has demanded more than skill or strategy. It asked for something deeper: empathy. When markets wobble and headlines rattle consumer confidence, people look to their agents not just… …more