News for real estate agents and brokerages: commissions, recruiting, business models, and the industry changes reshaping how agents work in 2026.
Realtors Property Resource, NAR’s data and technology subsidiary, elevated two longtime executives to newly created chief strategy officer and chief product officer roles.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren sent a nine-page letter to Compass CEO Robert Reffkin and MRED CEO Rebecca Jensen warning their private-listings partnership risks a ‘two-tiered housing market’ and civil rights violations, adding Senate scrutiny to an already bipartisan congressional probe.
A federal judge in Chicago granted final approval to $28.5 million in combined settlements from RE/MAX and Keller Williams in the Batton 1 homebuyer commission lawsuit, with no class objections or opt-outs and claims due Aug. 25.
Barry Gosin, who has run Newmark Group for nearly 47 years, will step down as chief executive at the end of this year, the commercial real estate advisory firm announced Aug. 7. Gosin, who became CEO in 1979, will leave the role effective Dec. 31, 2026, but will remain with the company as Chairman of … Read more
RE/MAX Holdings swung to a $4.3 million net loss in the second quarter as U.S. agent count kept shrinking, the franchisor reported Aug. 6, just over a week before shareholders vote on the company’s pending merger with The Real Brokerage. The loss compares with net income of $4.7 million in the same quarter last year, … Read more
The typical Realtor now has 13 years of experience, and only 11% of members have one year or less in the business, according to NAR’s latest member profile. Median 2025 transaction sides were nine, and median gross income was $59,200. Affordability was the leading client obstacle, cited by 27% of respondents. Key facts Nine sides … Read more
AGNT, Inc., the Bellingham, Wash.-based holding company that owns eXp Realty and was known as eXp World Holdings until rebranding earlier this year, reported record second-quarter 2026 revenue of $1.4 billion, up 11% from a year ago, according to an Aug. 4 earnings release. Executives credited rising agent productivity and new AI tools for the … Read more
Compass posted record second-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $363 million and swung to a $92 million profit, with revenue up 14% year-over-year on a pro forma basis as its Anywhere Real Estate acquisition fully integrated.
Dream Finders Homes named former Lennar co-CEO Rick Beckwitt co-chairman of its board and banking veteran Steve Fischer an independent director, as its $32-per-share hostile bid for Beazer Homes continues.
A new Zillow survey of 366 real estate agents finds most agree independent representation and full listing access serve buyers, even as fewer say the practices help agents themselves.
LPT Aperture Holdings, parent of LPT Realty and Aperture Global Real Estate, confidentially filed for an IPO with the SEC, with founder Robert Palmer confirming the move at Inman Connect San Diego.
Compass, Midwest Real Estate Data and Zillow have filed competing post-hearing briefs in the Chicagoland MLS dispute, sharpening the disagreement over private listings, MLS access and whether the challenged rules protect cooperation or suppress competing brokerage models, according to HousingWire. The filings followed arguments over preliminary relief. Zillow alleges an unlawful group boycott; Compass and … Read more
The National Association of Realtors has issued guidance clarifying agent and broker responsibilities for office exclusives and pre-marketing listings, emphasizing disclosure obligations when sellers waive or delay MLS exposure. Under the guidance, agents must ensure sellers understand their marketing options, and brokers must explain applicable pre-marketing choices and obtain signed disclosures. State laws, local MLS … Read more
NAREIM, the trade association for institutional real estate investment managers, named 25-year industry veteran Andy Walburger as its next CEO, succeeding Reesa Fischer effective Aug. 17.
MIAMI REALTORS merged with Martin County REALTORS, its second merger in two months, creating a single association and MLS covering five Southeast Florida counties.
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is entering Northern New England, announcing a partnership to acquire Portside Real Estate Group, the brokerage it calls Maine’s top independent firm, extending its footprint to 18 states.
Coldwell Banker Warburg, Coldwell Banker’s largest New York City franchise, is folding into Compass and will operate as “Warburg at Compass,” The Real Deal reports, following Compass’s completed acquisition of parent company Anywhere Real Estate.
Keller Williams named five leaders, including a new head of divisions and co-heads of U.S. growth and attraction, in a leadership reshuffle aimed at accelerating agent growth and commercial expansion.
A House Judiciary subcommittee asked Compass and MRED to brief lawmakers by August 5 on a private-listing partnership raising antitrust and affordability concerns.
Equity Union Real Estate opened its first office outside California, launching Southern Nevada operations led by Jason Lindstrom and Melissa Dominguez-Martin.
The DOJ granted early termination of the HSR waiting period for Real’s proposed RE/MAX combination — one hurdle down, shareholder votes still ahead.
KW acquired Jason Mitchell Group — $5.9B in 2025 volume built on lender and portal referrals — adding a ‘teamerage’ engine to the largest agent network.
Sellers can still fund buyer-agent compensation after the commission changes — just not through the MLS. Here are the options.
Real estate commissions are negotiated up front now. What buyers and sellers should understand before signing anything.
Visiting an open house does not require signing a buyer agreement. What the new rules actually say for buyers and agents.
Buyer agency agreements are now central to home shopping. Here’s what buyers, sellers and agents should know after commission changes.
NAR’s Clear Cooperation policy still shapes how homes reach the MLS. Here’s what sellers, buyers and agents should know in 2026.
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