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Compass, NWMLS clash over document production in antitrust suit

Clear Cooperation, Compass, HWmember, Legal, MLS/Associations, northwest mls, Real Estate /

Compass and Northwest MLS (NWMLS) are currently locked in a dispute over the MLS’s production of documents during discovery in the Robert Reffkin-helmed firm’s antitrust lawsuit.  Compass filed this lawsuit against NWMLS in late April 2025. The antitrust suit centers around NWMLS’s listing policy. As a non-Realtor-association affiliated MLS, NWMLS does not have to adhere […]

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The U.S. housing market in 2025: A year of normalization

2025 Year in Review, Artificial Intelligence, Housing Market, Housing Market Data, HWmember /

After housing market cycles defined by extreme shortages, rapid price appreciation and frenetic buyer competition, this year delivered something closer to balance. Inventory climbed meaningfully, price growth flattened and homes took longer to sell — signs of a market settling into a more sustainable rhythm. Using data through Dec. 20, here’s how the housing market

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DOJ wants antitrust review of real estate commissions in Davis suit

Commission Lawsuit, Department of Justice, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, HWmember, Legal, MLS/Associations, National Association of Realtors, Real Estate, Regulatory /

The Department of Justice (DOJ) wants a federal court in Philadelphia to take a close look at real estate agent commissions. Last Friday, the DOJ filed a statement of interest in the Davis homebuyer commission lawsuit filed in May 2024 against Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.  The statement of interest was signed by Assistant Attorney

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Compass-Anywhere deal may exceed DOJ market-share limits in some cities

Anywhere, Brokerage, Compass, Department of Justice, Elizabeth Warren, Federal Trade Commission, HWmember, Mergers and Acquisitions, Real Estate, Regulatory, Robert Reffkin /

Compass’s proposed acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate may give the firm some eyebrow-raising market share levels in certain markets across the country, according to analysis of RealTrends Verified data published by The Capitol Forum earlier this week. This includes more than 80% market share in both Newport Beach, California and Manhattan. According to the publication’s

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NAR supports major housing reforms in 2026 legislative agenda

Affordability, Affordable housing, House of Representatives, Housing Inventory, HWmember, Legislation, MLS/Associations, National Association of Realtors, Real Estate, Senate, Zoning /

There’s no shortage of differing opinions within housing, but one thing most industry professionals can agree on is that affordability is a key ongoing struggle for many prospective homebuyers.  Real estate agents and members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) are on the front lines of this battle, as they work with buyers to

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DSCR loans became an investor favorite in 2025

Fairway Home Mortgage, HWmember, LendingLife, LoanLogics, Mortgage, Non-QM, Origination, Real Estate Investing, Rental Properties, Secondary market /

For real estate investors sidelined by traditional income documentation requirements, debt-service-coverage ratio (DSCR) loans are becoming easier to access and are more widely available as lenders refine underwriting and gain confidence in the product’s performance. Like other seemingly “nontraditional” loans, lenders took some time to dip their toes into in the DSCR market. Marc Halpern,

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Mortgage applications fall 5% despite rate decline

HWmember, Mike Fratantoni, Mortgage, Mortgage applications, Mortgage Bankers Association, Mortgage Rates, Origination, Purchase Applications /

Mortgage applications decreased 5.0% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Dec. 19, 2025. On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 6% compared with the previous week. The refinance index decreased 6% from the previous week and was 110% higher than

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Texas proposes property tax cuts for homeowners 55+

Housing Market, HWmember, Property Tax, Reverse, Texas /

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently announced “Operation Double Nickel,” a proposal that would lower the age for senior property tax benefits from 65 to 55 and expand homestead tax exemptions. According to Patrick’s website, the plan “would accelerate school property tax cuts, reduce school property taxes, and freeze appraised values for more than 3.3

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Mortgage rates cool in 2025, but 2026 relief likely limited

Federal Reserve, HWmember, LendingLife, Mortgage, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Rates Center /

Mortgage rates started the year slightly above 7% but are heading into the holiday season near the 6.2% level. Looking ahead to 2026, lenders and industry experts expect some relief, though not a dramatic shift. On Monday, Mortgage News Daily reported that 30-year conventional fixed rates averaged 6.24%, down 2 basis points (bps) over the

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November sees sharp rise in U.S. mortgage delinquencies

Delinquencies, Foreclosure, Housing Market, HWmember, ICE Mortgage Technology, Mortgage /

U.S. mortgage delinquencies jumped sharply in November, reaching their highest level in more than four years, according to ICE Mortgage Technology’s latest First Look report, released on Tuesday. The national delinquency rate rose to 3.85% in November, up 50 basis points from October, as the number of past-due mortgages increased by 275,000 to about 2.3

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