this Week in Real Estate

Hosted by Ray Ellen

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100

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Aug 2026

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About the show

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!

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September 9, 2026Episode 3761 hr 8 min

Higher Rates. Riskier Mortgages. What Is Going On?

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!

September 2, 2026Episode 3751 hr 3 min

Your HOA Is Watching You… With Flock Cameras?! + Is Housing Finally Crashing???

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!

August 26, 2026Episode 37452 min

Real Bought REMAX… But what about the Housing Market?!

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

August 19, 2026Episode 37349 min

Nobody's Buying… Is Zillow Dying?

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.

August 12, 2026Episode 3721 hr 6 min

Zillow Cuts 500 Jobs. The Housing Market Is Getting Weird.

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!

July 29, 2026Episode 3711 hr 14 min

Housing is a "pretty good" market?? AND Compass makes a MAJOR move!

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

July 22, 2026Episode 3701 hr 22 min

Housing 2026: A Buyer's Market Nobody Can Afford

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

July 15, 2026Episode 3691 hr 30 min

Record Prices. Fewer Buyers. Make It Make Sense.

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!

July 8, 2026Episode 36855 min

The Listing War Just Got Bigger! Zillow v Compass battle for CONTROL.

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

July 1, 2026Episode 36751 min

Homes Prices DROP??? & Zillow & Compass/MRED go to Court!

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.