this Week in Real Estate

Ray Ellen
  • 5.0 (11)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The longest running real estate news podcast created so that you would have one place to go to find out the latest real estate news and headlines with succinct professional analysis from those of us active in the field! We cover the national housing market, mortgage rates, the federal reserve, housing affordability, and real estate industry news and information! This show is brought to you by listeners & viewers like you. Hit the share button on your favorite podcatcher and send this to someone like you because it is listeners like YOU who make this podcast possible. Subscibe button and hit the bell so that you can be notificed when we are live and participate in the podcast chat. You can make comments and we can display that comment and talk about you or your comment!! We are also broadcasting on facebook, twitter, linked in, and you can join the conversation via audio on ClubHouse. Join us!

  1. 12H AGO

    Real Buys RE/MAX, Compass Goes Private & Housing Gets Weird

    Real Brokerage is buying RE/MAX in an $880 million deal, and the real estate industry may never look quite the same. This week on This Week in Real Estate, we're breaking down one of the biggest brokerage stories in years: Real Brokerage's planned acquisition of RE/MAX. Is this a brilliant consolidation play? A tech-forward brokerage swallowing one of the most recognizable legacy brands in real estate? Or a sign that scale is becoming the only way to survive the next chapter of the housing market? Real CEO Tamir Poleg called the RE/MAX acquisition "the perfect match," but the industry reaction has been anything but quiet. Agents, brokers, franchise owners, and industry veterans are already debating what this means for agent splits, franchise models, revenue share, tech platforms, global brokerage scale, and the future of traditional real estate brands. And that is just where today's show starts. We're also digging into the private listing fight that refuses to go away. Compass is back in the spotlight as questions swirl around private exclusives, while MRED expands its Private Listing Network nationwide with Compass as the first major brokerage to join. The industry keeps saying it wants transparency, but more and more companies are building systems around controlled access, private inventory, and strategic exposure. Then we shift into the housing market, where the spring season is sending some seriously mixed signals. Home price growth appears to be stalling nationally, more sellers are putting homes on the market, mortgage rates are rising again, the Fed is expected to hold rates steady, and buyers are somehow still trickling back into the market. So what is really happening? Are we watching a healthier spring market take shape, or are buyers and sellers just trying to adjust to a high-rate, high-cost, low-affordability environment? We'll also cover HUD's rollback of fair housing guidance around crime stats and school ratings, and why agents need to understand the difference between providing information and creating risk. Today we're talking about: 🏢 Real Brokerage acquiring RE/MAX for $880 million 🌎 Why brokerage consolidation may be the new survival strategy  📉 What this means for RE/MAX agents, Real agents, brokers, and franchise owners 🔥 Industry reaction to the Real + RE/MAX deal 🔒 Compass, private exclusives, and the future of off-market listings  📍 MRED expanding its Private Listing Network nationwide ⚖️ HUD rolling back fair housing guardrails on crime stats and school ratings  🏠 National home price growth stalling 📈 More homeowners listing as spring heats up 💸 Mortgage rates rising again while buyers slowly return 🏦 Why the Fed holding rates steady still matters for housing affordability The real estate market is changing fast, but the bigger story may be that the real estate business model is changing even faster. Join us live on YouTube as we unpack the headlines, cut through the noise, and talk about what these stories actually mean for real estate agents, buyers, sellers, investors, and the housing market.  Subscribe for weekly real estate news, housing market updates, mortgage rate discussion, brokerage drama, MLS policy changes, and straight-talk industry analysis.

    1h 11m

  2. APR 22

    Pocket Listings, Mega MLS Mergers & Housing Market Whiplash 📱

    Pocket listings. Mega MLS mergers. Buyers gaining leverage. Mortgage rates dipping. Contract fallout rising. Yeah… the housing market is doing that thing again. In Episode 357 of This Week in Real Estate, we're unpacking a week full of mixed signals, major power moves, and the kind of market confusion that creates both opportunity and risk depending on where you sit. This episode dives into the proposed Miami + RWorld merger and another major merger move in Texas, while also tackling the growing fight over pocket listings and what they mean for transparency, access, and consumer trust. Then we shift into the market itself, where the data is all over the place: buyers now have the upper hand in more major metros, home-price growth is slowing, pending sales are inching up, more than 50,000 purchase contracts fell apart in March, and falling mortgage rates may be pulling buyers back into the game. We're also breaking down: the push to tax luxury second homes in New York City why more homeowners are remodeling instead of relocating why late April may be the best time to list what cooling prices and rising cancellations could mean for the rest of the spring market This is one of those weeks where the real story is not just one headline. It is the tension between them. More leverage. More hesitation. More inventory pressure. More buyer opportunity. More industry consolidation. In other words: housing market whiplash. If you work in real estate, follow the housing market, or just want the straight story on what these headlines actually mean, this episode is packed. Topics covered: pocket listings, MLS mergers, housing market news, mortgage rates, home prices, pending home sales, contract cancellations, buyer's market, seller strategy, luxury real estate tax, real estate trends 2026

    1h 18m

  3. APR 15

    Agents are Staying ... but Housing is Failing?

    The real estate industry is being squeezed from both sides right now. This week on **This Week in Real Estate**, we're breaking down the collision between lawsuits, private listing wars, shaky consumer confidence, and a housing market that still can't find real momentum. From NAR's latest legal wins and settlement headlines to Compass' growing influence in key markets, this episode gets into what's changing, who it affects, and what it could mean next for agents, buyers, sellers, and brokerages. We'll also unpack the latest market data: mortgage demand, falling pending sales, rising monthly payments, record-level price cuts, builder sentiment, inflation pressure, and why so many Americans are starting to hesitate on major purchases. Add in the growing mismatch between who owns America's larger homes and who actually needs them, and there's a lot to talk about. In this episode, we cover: • 92% of agents say they plan to stay in the business even as sales remain near 40-year lows • NAR's Florida antitrust lawsuit dismissal and the new $52.25M buy-side commission settlement  • CoStar, Homes.com, and the latest power shifts in portal and industry battles  • New reporting on Compass, private exclusives, double-ended deals, and price discovery • Mortgage demand dropping, then mortgage applications rebounding as rates moved lower • A record share of sellers cutting prices • Pending sales slowing as high rates and global uncertainty chill the market  • The "empty nester vs millennial family" housing mismatch • Inflation, gas prices, job-security fears, and weakening builder confidence Whether you're a Realtor, broker, investor, homeowner, or just obsessed with where the housing market is headed, this is one of those weeks where the headlines actually matter. Subscribe for weekly real estate news, housing market analysis, mortgage rate updates, and honest commentary on the stories shaping the business.

    1h 30m

  4. APR 1

    Mobile Homes Appreciate MORE than regular housing?? + MLS's are Disappearing!

    This week on This Week in Real Estate (Episode 355), we kick things off with a big debate—and a special guest. 🎙️ Kristina Smallhorn joins us live to break down whether mobile homes are truly appreciating faster… or if there's more to the story. From affordability hacks to market stagnation, rising mortgage pressure, and major industry shifts—this episode covers what agents, buyers, and investors need to know right now. 🔥 What We're Breaking Down: 🏡 Mobile Homes vs. Traditional Housing Are mobile homes really outperforming single-family homes? Wealth-building potential vs. hidden risks 📉 Market Reality Check Why economists say the housing market feels "stagnant" Listings sitting longer + rising inventory challenges Mortgage rates volatility & refinance demand collapsing 💰 Affordability & Buyer Behavior Which jobs are most likely to own homes in today's market Cleveland emerging as a surprising affordability hotspot Buyers getting sidelined as costs rise 🏢 Bigger Economic Shifts Rent prices softening amid layoffs and global instability Proposed investor homebuying restrictions—what it could break Opendoor's latest move to reshape closing + refinance costs 🤖 Industry & Tech Disruption Realtor.com launching AI home search inside ChatGPT Nearly HALF of MLSs have disappeared since 2015—what that means 🎯 Why This Matters The market isn't crashing—but it's not cruising either. We're in a weird middle phase: Buyers are cautious Sellers are adjusting And the industry is quietly reshaping behind the scenes Understanding these shifts is how you stay ahead—not react late. 👉 Join the Conversation LIVE on YouTube! If you want real estate news without the fluff, hit subscribe and turn on notifications.

    1h 16m

  5. MAR 25

    Is Zillow v Compass Over? ... And Now the Market Is Breaking!

    🔥 Zillow vs Compass Ends… But the Real Fight Just Started | Buyers Gain Power, Deals Collapse The lawsuits may be cooling off—but the battle over listings is heating up. This week on This Week in Real Estate (Episode 354), we break down Compass dropping its lawsuit against Zillow, what Zillow's "Preview" pre-market listings really mean, and why critics say the "open market" is getting more controlled—not less. At the same time, NAR weighs in, fiduciary duty vs. MLS rules is being challenged, and agents are stuck navigating a rapidly shifting landscape. But here's the bigger story 👇 The market is quietly flipping. 630,000 more sellers than buyers (largest gap on record) 14% of deals falling through Mortgage demand down 10%+ as rates move back above 6% Buyers gaining leverage—and taking their time Add in AI fears impacting affordability and new compliance conversations for brokerages… and this spring market is anything but normal. 💬 Join us LIVE and drop your take in the chat 📊 Are buyers officially back in control? ⚖️ Should MLS rules override agent strategy? 🔔 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of: Housing Market • Mortgage Rates • Industry Shifts • Real Estate Strategy

    1h 26m

  6. MAR 18

    Zillow Teams Up with Keller Williams, Remax, Home Services, & MORE!

    The listing wars just hit a new level. Zillow rolled out Zillow Preview, teaming up with major brokerages including Keller Williams, RE/MAX, HomeServices of America, Side, and United Real Estate to push pre-market listings into public view on Zillow and Trulia, while insisting the product will operate alongside its Listing Access Standards. Then eXp answered with its own pre-marketing syndication deal across Realtor.com, Homes.com, and ComeHome.com. This week, we break down what this means for agents, sellers, portals, transparency, private inventory, and the future of listing distribution. We're also digging into why more sellers are testing the market before going fully live, and whether this "pre-market" phase could actually increase supply or just create a new battlefield in the portal wars. Redfin says giving sellers room to test pricing and demand before full launch could boost inventory by 6% to 12% in some markets, while industry leaders are already warning this latest Zillow move should be a serious pulse check for the business. On top of that, we tackle one of the week's most uncomfortable stories for the industry: a Florida seller reportedly used ChatGPT, a flat-fee MLS, and an attorney to sell a home without a listing agent and close in just five days. We'll talk about what that does and does not mean for real estate agents, and where human value still matters when consumers start experimenting with AI-driven transactions. Then we zoom out to the broader market: NAR's response to new executive orders aimed at housing affordability and mortgage lending, a hotter inflation backdrop pushing expectations for the next Fed cut further out, refinance demand getting crushed as rates jump, pending home sales rising 1.8% in February, and fresh signs that geopolitical uncertainty is starting to mess with consumer confidence around major purchases like homes and cars. If you want real talk on Zillow Preview, pre-market listings, private inventory, mortgage rates, housing affordability, Fed policy, pending home sales, AI in real estate, and what it all means for agents, buyers, and sellers, this is the episode for you. Join us live every Wednesday, 12 PM CST!

    1h 17m

  7. MAR 11

    I met with the National Association of Realtors! 👀

    What I can say is this.... what I learned actually blew my mind. You will have to join the call to hear about it because if I typed it out here, I don't think you would believe it.

    1h 48m

  8. FEB 25

    R these Commercials Good?? Rates Drop & Home buyers explode or nah?

    This week on tWiRE – This Week in Real Estate, we're breaking down one of the most confusing housing markets we've seen in years. 🏷️ The REALTOR® Brand Spotlight NAR highlights how the REALTOR® brand represents professionalism and hard work at a time when trust and transparency are under a microscope. Mortgage rates just dropped below 6% — the lowest level since 2022. Buyer purchasing power is up nearly $30,000. And yet… pending home sales fell 6%, nearly 1 in 7 contracts are falling through, and America now has 44% more sellers than buyers. So what's really happening? We're unpacking: 📉 Housing Market Shift: Is It Officially a Buyer's Market? Pending home sales down 6% Home price growth slows to just 1% to start the year Price cuts rising across the country 44% more sellers than buyers — near record gap  Nearly 1 in 7 deals falling apart Buyer negotiating power rising fast What $30K in extra purchasing power means for spring Rates are down. Inventory is up. Negotiating leverage is shifting. But demand hasn't surged the way many expected. We'll explain why. 📊 Mortgage Rates Below 6% — Breakthrough or Fake Out? Rates dip to the lowest level in nearly 4 years Refinances ticking up Why buyers are still cautious What could unlock more transactions this spring Is this the moment the market turns — or just another head fake? 🏛️ Compass-Anywhere Merger: Political & Industry Firestorm Senator questions possible corruption in AG's office Gary Keller says, "I wouldn't have done it" What this means for brokerage consolidation The broader power struggle inside real estate This one has ripple effects across the entire industry. ⚖️ Referral Fees & Lawsuit Warnings A watchdog group says brokerages need to beef up referral fee disclosures — or prepare for lawsuits. With compliance scrutiny increasing post-settlement, this is not a small story. 🏠 Homes.com vs The Industry CoStar continues defending the Homes.com strategy How portal wars are reshaping lead flow What agents should actually pay attention to 🇺🇸 Politics & Housing Policy Trump promises affordability while protecting home values Democrats counter with limits on institutional investors Can housing be made more affordable without hurting homeowners? We cut through the rhetoric and focus on the economic reality. 🎯 What This Means for Agents, Buyers & Investors This isn't a crash. It isn't a boom. It's a power shift. More inventory. More price cuts. More negotiation. More fallout. And potentially… more opportunity. If you're in real estate, thinking about buying, selling, or investing — this episode matters. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly no-fluff housing market breakdowns 📈 Share with an agent who needs to understand what's really happening   This is tWiRE — real estate news without the hype.

    1h 15m
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

The longest running real estate news podcast created so that you would have one place to go to find out the latest real estate news and headlines with succinct professional analysis from those of us active in the field! We cover the national housing market, mortgage rates, the federal reserve, housing affordability, and real estate industry news and information! This show is brought to you by listeners & viewers like you. Hit the share button on your favorite podcatcher and send this to someone like you because it is listeners like YOU who make this podcast possible. Subscibe button and hit the bell so that you can be notificed when we are live and participate in the podcast chat. You can make comments and we can display that comment and talk about you or your comment!! We are also broadcasting on facebook, twitter, linked in, and you can join the conversation via audio on ClubHouse. Join us!

Information

  • Creator
    Ray Ellen
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023
  • Show Website
    this Week in Real Estate

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