Here are the most essential stories of the week, according to Inman readers
Pocket listings are emerging as a pressure point for first-time buyers
Reactions highlight the debate over pre-marketing, private networks and listing transparency
Opinion
Stephen Brobeck, senior fellow at the Consumer Policy Center, responds to Cara Ameer's recent critique of the CPC's report on post-settlement changes impacting homebuyers
A coalition of groups has warned that the Trump administration's goals for the mortgage giants will leave up to 177K lower income homebuyers looking elsewhere for a loan
Loopholes in new law mean credit bureaus will still be able to sell applicants' information to their current lender, servicer or bank — a boon for lenders who also service their own loans
Judge declines to reopen case and vacate settlement with Chicago mortgage broker Townstone Financial, calling the request 'a Pandora’s box the court refuses to open'
Consumer groups are trying to stop the Trump administration from vacating a settlement the government reached with a Chicago mortgage broker days before the November election
Opinion
Amid sweeping commission changes and the push for greater transparency in real estate, rules around referral fees remain elusive, compliance expert Summer Goralik writes for Inman
The insurer asked the California Department of Insurance to raise rates by an average of 22% 'to help avert a dire situation' as the company pays thousands of claims related to the fires
President Trump fired former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra on Saturday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will take over leadership duties until Trump nominates a new director.
With all the commission lawsuits, settlements and rule changes, there was no shortage of news this year. Here is the top-read news of 2024
The new year will bring appeals, buyer commission cases, fights over current National Association of Realtor policies and possible Department of Justice intervention, experts told Inman
Opinion
Forget gadgets and swag. According to team leader Carl Medford, what Realtors really want right now are well-behaved children at open houses, punctual contractors and, well, an end to 2024
Opinion
Stephen Brobeck, senior fellow at Consumer Federation of America, examines the aftermath of the Sitzer | Moehrl commission settlement and what it means for the industry's future