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The Compass vs. MLS fight has moved from threats to federal court, just as a new state law puts even more pressure on private-listing strategies. Meanwhile, mortgage rates have surged, with MBA's average 30-year rate hitting 7.49%, price cuts rising, and pending sales falling hard. Episode 380 of tWiRE is digging into two fights reshaping real estate at the same time: who controls listing distribution, and what happens to the housing market when buyers gain leverage but still struggle to afford the payment. **In this live episode, we'll cover:** - CRMLS striking first with a federal lawsuit against Compass, Unlock MLS rejecting Compass' demand, and Connecticut's new private-listing law. - Realtor.com launching RealAssist AI across a platform serving 192,000+ agents. - A new study showing most consumer inquiries still fail to connect with an agent. - Fathom and Neighborhood Intelligence killing their merger, while HomeServices acquires 1000WATT. - A Senate bill aimed at protecting real estate agents' independent-contractor status. - A weak September jobs report colliding with mortgage rates at 7.49%. - Record-level price cuts, growing buyer leverage, rising inventory and sharply weaker pending sales. Join us LIVE and tell us what you're seeing in your market. Are buyers actually gaining power, or are higher rates making that leverage almost useless? **ABOUT tWiRE** tWiRE (This Week in Real Estate) is a live real estate news show examining the biggest stories shaping housing, real estate, mortgage lending, brokerages, agents, buyers, sellers, and the industry.

Mortgage rates have crossed 7.5%. Sellers are cutting prices. So why isn't buying a home getting easier?  The monthly payment is one problem. The fight over who controls the listings, the data, and the client relationship is another. We're digging into both, and what they mean for agents trying to get deals done. In this live episode, we'll cover: - Mortgage rates: The latest jump, purchase and refinance demand, and the pressure on monthly payments.  - Price cuts and home values: September reductions, July price growth, and what changes after inflation.  - Down payments and equity: Why smaller down payments and record housing wealth don't automatically solve affordability.  - UAD 3.6 appraisals: What agents should prepare for, from property documentation to transaction timelines.  - NYC's pied-à-terre tax: The rollout ruling, the city's appeal, and the stay putting the redo order on hold.  - Compass: The fight over MLS data used for recruiting, plus a bigger push for coming-soon listings.  - HouseCanary's bankruptcy: What we know, and still don't, about the future of Google home listings.  - Zillow: The agent antitrust case moves forward. We'll look at the steering allegations, Follow Up Boss, and Zillow's response.  Are buyers gaining leverage in your market, or are rates canceling it out? Hit Notify Me and bring your take to the live chat. tWiRE (This Week in Real Estate) is a live real estate news show examining the biggest stories shaping housing, mortgage lending, brokerages, agents, buyers, sellers, and the industry.

Buyers finally have leverage. Sellers are offering concessions, October may be a prime deal window in major metros, and more markets are tilting toward buyers. So why are Americans moving less than ever, mortgage rates are back over 7%, and home prices are still rising? The housing market is giving buyers more negotiating power without giving them much affordability. In Episode 378, we're looking at that contradiction, what higher rates are pushing buyers to do, and why a "buyer's market" does not necessarily mean an easy market to buy in. **In this live episode, we'll cover:** • Why October may offer some of the best negotiating opportunities of the year in major U.S. metros, and what "best time to buy" actually means. • Seller concessions are becoming increasingly common as buyers gain leverage and sellers compete harder to get deals closed. • Home prices are still rising nationally, another reminder that a buyer-friendly market does not automatically mean falling prices. • Mortgage rates are back above 7%, nearly 10% of borrowers are turning to adjustable-rate mortgages, and affordability pressure is changing how buyers finance homes. • Americans are moving less than ever. We'll look at how housing costs, mortgage-rate lock-in and staying put can affect more than just real estate. • Seller impersonation fraud attempts have more than doubled in two years, creating a growing problem agents, sellers, buyers and title companies need to understand. • Zillow is expanding Preview listings across Realtor.com and RealScout, pushing pre-market listings onto an increasingly broad audience and adding another wrinkle to the industry's fight over how listings should be marketed. • AI adoption among Realtors continues to climb while Coldwell Banker Realty rolls Compass' Home Platform out to thousands of agents. Real estate technology is moving from optional tools toward the infrastructure agents actually run their businesses on. Are buyers really gaining the upper hand in your market, or are rates and monthly payments still keeping them sidelined? Join us LIVE and add what you're seeing to the conversation. **ABOUT tWiRE** tWiRE - This Week in Real Estate is a live real estate news show examining the biggest stories shaping housing, real estate, mortgage lending, brokerages, agents, buyers, sellers, and the industry. #HousingMarket #MortgageRates #realestatenews

Redfin says this is the strongest buyer's market in its records. Mortgage purchase applications are down 19% from a year ago, rates are back near 7%, and the Fed decides today. More homes are hitting the market and buyers have more leverage, but affordability is still keeping many of them on the sidelines. That contradiction is the story. **In this live episode, we'll cover:** * Record buyer leverage, six-year-high supply, and why late September may be the best buying window of 2026. * Mortgage demand falling as rates climb, plus LIVE reaction to the Fed decision. * VantageScore 4.0 opening to all approved Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lenders. * Zillow losing its MRED injunction bid, facing a shareholder suit, and expanding Preview through RealScout. * The industry's push to build more housing, including Let America Build and Airbnb's $250 million accelerator. * AI data centers, Compass Global, a new Homes.com president, and Sotheby's latest move toward company ownership. Hit Notify Me and join us LIVE. What are buyers and sellers actually doing in your market right now? **ARTICLES & SOURCES** Record Buyer Leverage Meets an Affordability Wall - https://www.redfin.com/news/buyers-vs-sellers-august-2026/ • https://www.realtor.com/research/best-time-to-buy-2026/ • https://www.redfin.com/news/housing-market-update-high-costs-sideline-buyers-negotiating-power/ • https://www.redfin.com/news/new-listings-surge-august-2026/ Mortgage Purchase Demand Drops 19% as Rates Jump - https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/16/mortgage-demand-from-homebuyers-drops-19percent-from-a-year-ago.html VantageScore 4.0 Opens to All Approved GSE Lenders - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/11/nar-fhfa-vantagescore-4-0-credit-score/ • http://nowbam.com/vantagescore-4-0-is-now-available-to-every-approved-gse-lender/ • https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/15/mortgage-credit-scores-vantagescore-fico-homebuyers.html Zillow Loses MRED Injunction Bid as Fight Moves to Arbitration - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/16/zillow-compass-mred-chicago-listings-access-standards/ Zillow Faces Shareholder Suit Over Redfin Deal and Stock Sales - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/11/zillow-redfin-rentals-jeremy-wacksman-ftc-stock-sales/ Zillow Preview Is Coming to RealScout - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/15/zillow-preview-realscout-integration/ • https://nowbam.com/zillow-and-realscout-team-up-to-bring-preview-listings-to-more-buyers/ Real Estate Rivals Unite Behind Let America Build - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/15/realtor-exp-zillow-housing-crisis/ • https://nowbam.com/real-estate-giants-unite-behind-one-campaign-to-build-more-homes/ • https://letamericabuild.org/ AI Data Centers: Big Demand, Mixed Housing Effects - https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/15/data-center-reit-ceo-ai-slowdown.html • https://www.nar.realtor/news/real-estate-news/is-there-a-data-center-effect-on-real-estate Compass Launches Global Referral Division - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/14/compass-building-bridges-with-agent-led-global-division/ Homes.com Hires Felix Kusch as President - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/15/costar-group-homes-dot-com-felix-kusch-president/ Sotheby's Brings Its Two Largest Franchises In-House - https://nowbam.com/sothebys-international-realtys-two-biggest-franchises-are-now-company-owned/ Airbnb Launches a $250M Housing Accelerator - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/15/realtor-exp-zillow-housing-crisis/ **ABOUT tWiRE** tWiRE - This Week in Real Estate is a live real estate news show (every Wednesday!) examining the biggest stories shaping housing, real estate, mortgage lending, brokerages, agents, buyers, sellers, and the industry. #HousingMarket #MortgageRates #RealEstateNews

Mortgage rates are climbing again, buyers are turning to riskier loans, and the housing market is somehow giving buyers more choices at the same time. **So what is actually going on?** This week on **This Week in Real Estate (tWiRE)**, we're looking at a strange mix of higher rates, weaker demand, rising inventory, and more buyers turning to adjustable-rate mortgages just to make the numbers work. At the same time, affordability is reshaping where people are buying, builders are facing unexpected competition for land from data centers, and the real estate industry is still dealing with the fallout from commission lawsuits and the ongoing private-listing fight. **In this live episode, we'll cover:** * Why more buyers are turning to adjustable-rate mortgages as rates rise * Whether ARMs are actually as risky as people think * Why buyers suddenly have more fresh listings to choose from * Where affordability is still driving strong housing demand * The hottest Midwest commuter markets right now * Which metros are leading the country in new construction * Why data centers are starting to outbid homebuilders for land * Where the major real estate commission lawsuits stand now * What NAR says is changing inside the organization * What the NWMLS settlement could mean for private listings and property marketing **LIVE QUESTION:** Would you take an adjustable-rate mortgage today if it meant a meaningfully lower monthly payment? Join us LIVE on YouTube every Wednesday, 12 PM CST!

Your HOA may be watching every car that enters your neighborhood—and the housing market just snapped an eight-month growth streak. So are Flock cameras making communities safer… and is housing finally starting to crack? LIVE on This Week in Real Estate, we're digging into the biggest real estate news of the week, including HOA surveillance, rising mortgage rates, weakening buyer demand, housing-market divergence, MLS battles, commission lawsuits, and a growing debate over professionalism in real estate. Pending home sales just fell after eight straight months of year-over-year gains, new listings are climbing while demand slips, and higher mortgage rates are pushing more borrowers toward adjustable-rate loans. But calling this a nationwide housing crash may be way too simple: San Diego homes are selling faster, San Francisco is outperforming Seattle, and local markets continue to move in very different directions. Then there's the surveillance question. More HOAs are turning to Flock license-plate recognition cameras, raising new questions about security, privacy, data collection, and what buyers should know before moving into a neighborhood using them. In this live episode, we'll cover: • HOAs using Flock cameras to monitor vehicles entering neighborhoods • The privacy and disclosure questions buyers should be asking • Pending home sales breaking an eight-month growth streak • New listings rising as buyer demand weakens • Whether higher mortgage rates are actually pushing housing toward a crash • Why more borrowers are choosing adjustable-rate mortgages • San Diego homes suddenly selling faster than last year • San Francisco booming while Seattle's housing market struggles • The huge price premium for highly rated school zones—and one surprising exception • The $110.6M Gibson real estate commission settlements surviving appeal • Compass settling its fight with NWMLS • Alex Vidal taking the helm at REMAX after the Real acquisition • Why brokers say real estate has a professionalism problem Join us on YouTube every Wednesday, 12 PM CST!

Real just completed its $880 million REMAX takeover, creating a 180,000-agent real estate giant. Meanwhile, the housing market is shifting in the opposite direction: buyer demand is weakening, cancellations are rising, and home-price growth is slowing fast. In Episode 374 of tWiRE, we're looking at two major forces reshaping real estate at the same time: consolidation at the top of the industry and growing negotiating power at the consumer level. The Real + REMAX merger is officially closed, but the $880 million headline doesn't tell the whole story. We'll dig into the debt, ownership structure, massive stock buyback and leadership team behind the new Real REMAX Group. Then there's Compass. A new proposed class action lawsuit in New York City alleges the brokerage used its market position and listing strategy to reduce rental inventory available on Zillow-owned StreetEasy. We'll separate the allegations from the facts and look at why the private-listing fight continues to move from industry debate into courts and regulatory scrutiny. And in the housing market, buyers have more leverage, but affordability is still doing plenty of damage. In this live episode, we'll cover: • Real officially completes its $880M acquisition of REMAX, creating a 180,000-agent company • The financing, ownership structure and $450M share-buyback authorization behind the Real REMAX deal • Compass facing a new antitrust lawsuit over alleged efforts to pull NYC rental listings from StreetEasy • Why cash buyers are losing some of their pandemic-era advantage • Home-purchase cancellations reaching their highest level in nearly three years • Why late summer and early fall could offer some buyers their best negotiating window • New listings rising while pending home sales continue to weaken • U.S. home-price growth slowing to its weakest pace in a decade • New-home prices falling to a five-year low as builders fight for buyers • Why out-of-town buyers are increasingly targeting new construction • Mortgage rates climbing again and what that means for already-soft buyer demand The big question: **Is this finally becoming the buyer's market people have been waiting for, or are mortgage rates still too high for buyer leverage to really matter?** Join us LIVE on YouTube and tell us what you're seeing in your market. Every Wednesday, 12 PM CST! #RealEstateNews #HousingMarket #mortgagerates

The housing market is giving buyers more leverage than we've seen in years… but there's one big problem: **where are the buyers?** Buyer demand has fallen to record lows, pending home sales are slipping, mortgage demand has stalled, and rates are moving higher again even as home prices refuse to meaningfully break. LIVE on tWiRE Episode 373, we're digging into a housing market that increasingly favors buyers on paper while affordability continues to keep many of those buyers on the sidelines. And the market isn't the only thing changing. Real's proposed acquisition of RE/MAX just cleared a major hurdle with securityholder approval, Zillow is facing a revived lawsuit alleging mortgage steering through its Flex program, and a Texas broker is raising serious questions about who actually owns and controls the listing data agents and brokers create. Meanwhile, Washington has officially enacted the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, homebuilders remain deeply pessimistic despite aggressive incentives, cash buyers are losing some of their pandemic-era dominance, and the latest housing data is sending some very mixed signals about where we go next. **In this live episode, we'll cover:** • Real + RE/MAX moving one step closer to becoming one massive real estate organization • The revived Zillow mortgage steering lawsuit and what plaintiffs are alleging • Who really controls your listing data, syndication rights and future AI usage • The controversy surrounding New York City's pied-à-terre tax rollout • What the new 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act could actually change • Why the number of active U.S. homebuyers has fallen to a record low • Falling pending sales vs. early signs of life in August • Home prices that continue to hold despite weakening buyer demand • Why builders are cutting prices and offering incentives • Cash buyers pulling back as the housing market rebalances • Mortgage demand stalling as rates threaten to move higher again **So what is the real story right now: Are buyers finally gaining control of the housing market, or is affordability simply pushing so many people out that nobody is really winning?** Join us LIVE on YouTube or Instagram, and tell us what you're seeing in your market.

Zillow just cut more than 500 jobs while home sales are slowing and affordability remains near record-worst levels. But somehow, million-dollar home sales are surging. What kind of housing market is this? This week on **tWiRE: This Week in Real Estate**, we're looking at a housing market increasingly divided by income, geography and buying power, while some of the industry's biggest players fight over listings, access and even what it should mean to call yourself a REALTOR®. **In this episode, we'll cover:** • Zillow cutting roughly 7% of its workforce and what the restructuring may tell us about the portal's strategy and the broader real estate economy • Sen. Elizabeth Warren turning up the pressure on Compass and MRED over private listings, transparency, fair housing and competition • Howard Hanna's controversial proposal for a two-tier REALTOR® system where the title would have to be earned through experience and production • A federal appeals court handing NAR a significant victory in Homie's antitrust lawsuit • Home sales falling as mortgage rates climbed to their highest levels in roughly a year • The widening divide between the luxury market and first-time buyers, with million-dollar sales rising while entry-level buyers retreat • Why buyers in many markets suddenly have more time, choices, concessions and negotiating leverage • The strange affordability story: starter homes are becoming slightly easier to afford even while the typical American home still requires an income near $110,000 • Mortgage demand showing a little life again as rates finally stop their recent climb The national numbers may say "slow housing market," but that description is becoming less useful. Some buyers have leverage. Some buyers can't afford to participate at all. Some luxury markets are running hot. And the industry itself is still fighting over who gets access to listings and who controls the consumer. Join us live on YouTube!

The housing market is "pretty good"—at least according to one of America's largest homebuilders. But pending sales are falling, mortgage rates are pressuring demand, and sellers in markets like Nashville are learning that buyers now have the leverage. In this live episode of tWiRE, we're looking at a housing market that is not collapsing—but is becoming increasingly divided. Large builders can offer rate buydowns and incentives. Affluent buyers are returning to vacation homes. Everyday buyers have more negotiating power in some cities but are still battling high prices and affordability. Meanwhile, sellers are discovering that their biggest objection may not be agent commissions—it's accepting what today's market will actually pay. The power structure of real estate is also shifting. Compass International Holdings is backing the American Real Estate Association as an alternative to traditional national representation, NAR is promoting progress on its strategic plan, and MLS associations and brokerages continue combining into larger organizations with more data, technology and influence. In this live episode, we'll cover: • Why PulteGroup's CEO says this is a "pretty good" housing market • Pending home sales hitting a three-month low • Nashville's dramatic shift toward buyers • Why accurate pricing is becoming the biggest listing challenge • Vacation-home demand and the widening divide between buyers • Compass joining the American Real Estate Association • NAR's latest strategic progress report • Brokerage, association and MLS consolidation • The lawsuit challenging New York City's rent freeze • Inman's plan to become the "Bloomberg of real estate" Is this actually a healthy housing market—or simply a market working well for the people and companies with the most cash, scale and leverage? Join us live on YouTube every Wednesday, 12 PM Central Time, and tell us what you're seeing in your market. #RealEstateNews #HousingMarket #RealEstateAgents

Buyers finally have more leverage—but mortgage rates are rising, home prices are still climbing, and pending sales are slipping. Is it really a buyer's market when the monthly payment still does not work? This week in real estate news, we're examining the contradiction defining the 2026 housing market: buyers have more negotiating power, more price cuts, and less competition, but stubbornly high housing costs continue to hold demand back. We'll also look at why some affluent baby boomers are buying larger homes instead of downsizing, how outdated capital-gains exclusions may discourage longtime homeowners from selling, and why national home-price numbers are hiding dramatically different local markets. Beyond the market data, communities are pushing back against AI data centers, buyers are prioritizing clean indoor air over traditional luxury features, Boxabl has reached the public market through a $3.5 billion SPAC transaction, and one of Keller Williams' most influential leaders is stepping away from his day-to-day role. In this live episode, we'll cover: • Why mortgage rates are rising while some buyers are gaining negotiating power • How home prices can climb nationally while many local markets favor buyers • What slipping pending sales actually tell us about housing demand • Why some baby boomers are buying bigger homes instead of downsizing • The so-called "hidden home equity tax" affecting more longtime sellers • Why clean air is becoming more desirable than views and luxury amenities • The growing opposition to AI data centers—and the potential community tradeoffs • Whether Boxabl's public debut validates its housing model or simply tests its valuation • Jay Papasan's transition after 26 years with Keller Williams • How agents can determine whether AI search tools can access their websites Join us live on YouTube and tell us: What matters more in your market right now—buyer leverage, the monthly payment, or finding the right inventory? #RealEstateNews #HousingMarket #mortgagerates

Record home prices. Mortgage rates at a nearly one-year high. And somehow, buyers have more negotiating power across much of the country. The 2026 housing market is splitting by income, geography, and inventory—and the national headlines are hiding it. In this live episode of tWiRE, we're asking the question behind all the conflicting data: Is this finally a buyer's market, or only for the shrinking group of buyers who can still afford to participate? A new federal housing law promises to increase supply, reduce barriers to construction, and limit large institutional investors. But housing policy moves slowly, while mortgage rates, inflation, inventory, and local demand are changing the market right now. In this live episode, we'll cover: What the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act actually changes for buyers, sellers, builders, and investors Why mortgage rates climbed despite a softer inflation report How home prices can hit a record while Miami, Nashville, and major Texas markets favor buyers Why weather, climate concerns, and college-town demand are reshaping migration and home values What "worst states to live" rankings miss about affordability, growth, and housing demand Compass expanding its Zillow fight through regulators, MLSs, and Realtor associations NAR's guidance for office exclusives, Coming Soon listings, and broker disclosures Keller Williams' planned acquisition of the 1,200-agent Jason Mitchell Group—and what it says about consolidation and lead-generation power Join live on our YouTube channel, every Wednesday at 12 PM CST!

The real estate industry is fighting over who gets the listing first, who owns the lead, and who controls the story buyers and sellers actually see. This week on *This Week in Real Estate*, we're digging into the Zillow, MRED, and Compass courtroom battle, Robert Reffkin's testimony, the private listings fight, fair housing arguments, Kelley Blue Book's surprising move into seller lead generation, and Compass rolling out its agent platform across major brokerage brands. Then we're shifting into the market data: more agents are calling this a balanced market, but home prices are still hitting record highs, monthly payments are ticking back up, mortgage demand is slipping again, and Realtor.com just lowered its 2026 home price growth forecast. We'll also talk about a story every seller should understand: the moment you list or sell your home, your photos, floor plan, public records, and personal data may already be moving through the internet in ways most homeowners never think about. In this live episode, we'll cover: * Why Zillow, Compass, and MRED are really fighting over the first days of a listing * Whether private listings are seller choice, a transparency problem, or a portal power struggle * What Kelley Blue Book Homes could mean for real estate lead generation * Why Compass' agent platform rollout matters after the Anywhere acquisition * Whether the housing market is truly becoming balanced * What record prices and stubborn mortgage rates mean for buyers and sellers * How sellers can think more carefully about privacy, listing photos, and wire fraud risk Join us live on YouTube for sharp, no-fluff real estate news, market analysis, and the real story behind the headlines #RealEstateNews #HousingMarket #MortgageRates

Today on This Week in Real Estate, the listing control war is back in federal court. Zillow, MRED, and Compass are fighting over MLS feeds, private listings, arbitration, and who really gets to control where listings show up. Is this about consumer transparency, brokerage power, portal control, MLS authority, or all of the above? We'll also break down NAR's latest explanation of "local discretion," the Compass lawsuit over a $475 transaction fee, and a wild cautionary story about a new agent, phantom buyers, and the kind of ethical mistake that can end a career. Then we shift to the housing market: luxury home prices are rising much faster than the rest of the market, fewer homeowners are listing as spring ends quietly, listing prices are seeing record declines, and buyers may finally be getting some affordability relief. Plus, we'll talk mortgage demand, riskier loan products, and a moving company nightmare every relocating buyer should hear. This one is about power, trust, leverage, and what agents, buyers, and sellers need to understand about the market right now. Topics covered: Zillow lawsuit, MRED, Compass, MLS policy, private listings, NAR, real estate lawsuits, housing market 2026, luxury real estate, mortgage rates, home prices, buyer affordability, real estate ethics, and relocation risks.

The real estate industry is changing fast, and this week's headlines are all about power, control, and pressure. Today on This Week in Real Estate, we're talking about Compass reportedly overtaking Zillow in market value, SERHANT. making a major move into Texas, and what all this consolidation means for agents, brokerages, portals, and consumers. We'll also break down the latest from NAR, including dues staying steady, the debate over whether REALTORS should have to disclose knowledge gaps, and NAR's expanding legal fight tied to Mauricio Umansky's thePLS.com and the Clear Cooperation Policy. Then we'll get into the actual housing market, where things are getting strange. Redfin says home-price growth accelerated in May, seller concessions hit a record high for that month, and housing payments are back near painful highs. So are buyers gaining leverage, or are affordability problems still keeping them stuck on the sidelines? Join us live on YouTube for sharp, no-fluff real estate news, market analysis, and agent-focused commentary. Topics include: Compass vs Zillow SERHANT Texas expansion NAR dues and leadership REALTOR ethics debate Clear Cooperation Policy Private listings and thePLS.com Mortgage rates and housing affordability Home prices, seller concessions, and buyer demand