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Agent movement stalls as retention takes hold in Q2
External moves — agents changing to a different brand — are essentially flat year-over-year at 3,390, a difference of just six from Q2 2025.
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Ruth Reffkin launches Compass real estate team in NYC
Ruth Reffkin launched the Ruth Reffkin Team at Compass in New York City, partnering with Susan Hirschorn as principal strategist.
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Lot demand shifts to terms and timing at Forestar, Five Point
In 2024 and early 2025, homebuilders large, medium and small were smitten with the strategic notion of “land light.” In 2026, and for the near future, most everybody is more preoccupied, and rightly so, with “land right.” Many of the U.S.’s most prolific new-construction markets undergoing some form of “work-out” to winnow down aging spec…
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New York City posts notice of new tax levy to pied-a-terre owners
Tax attorneys and accountants are about to make bank helping owners of non-primary homes navigate New York City’s pied-à-terre tax notifications, which started landing in mailboxes before the weekend. “If you have a second home in New York City worth more than $5 (million), check your mailbox when you’re back in the five boroughs –…
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Expect Mortgage-Rate Volatility Amid Uncertainty Heading Into Warsh’s 2nd Meeting as Fed Chair
This Week In A Nutshell: Rates are elevated and likely to remain volatile with risks on three fronts: oil prices, AI-driven inflation, and a newly unpredictable Fed. Upcoming Attractions This week will be all about the Fed with Kevin Warsh’s second meeting as chair on Wednesday. There is an unusual level of uncertainty regarding what…
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What Should You Expect for Housing in the Rest of 2026? (July 2026 Forecast)
Over the last 6 months we’ve been updating our view of what we expect for housing this year, as the market has navigated some uncertainty around interest rates, inflation, and energy prices. If you’ll forgive a forced summer road trip analogy: let’s pull over at the halfway point of our journey and take stock of…
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When your AI vendor gets it wrong, you’re still responsible
Mortgage servicers remain responsible for account decisions influenced by vendor AI under OCC model risk guidance, GSE requirements and Treasury AI controls. With Fannie LL-2026-04 effective Aug. 6, 2026, servicers need AI inventories, stronger vendor contract terms and borrower-specific adverse action explanations.
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From weeks to minutes: How AI-native land acquisition is changing the game for homebuilders
Prophetic CEO Oliver Alexander says AI-native land acquisition can cut site analysis from hours to minutes, enabling builders to evaluate 1,000-2,000 parcels per user each month. With only 1.5% to 2% of US parcels listed at a time, the approach targets off-market discovery and pipeline management.
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Beyond the mortgage: Alex Song on how Made Card is building homeowner loyalty through everyday engagement
Made Card co-founder Alex Song says lenders need post-close engagement as recapture rates stay around 20% to 30%. He cites early metrics including 73% of users linking a mortgage within two months and partner savings averaging 15% in 2026.
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Kim Smith on SmartFi’s strategy to grow the reverse mortgage pie
The lender’s growth strategy hinges on “growing the pie” by equipping traditional, forward-centric loan officers with the tools and education needed to seamlessly offer reverse mortgages to their clients.
