While mortgage rates hit a high for the year so far, reflecting escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, analysts point to average rates still remaining below year-ago levels and offering some improvement to buyers purchasing power.  The average mortgage rate ticked up 11 basis points to 6.22% this week, up from 6.11% last week,…

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As a cascade of “premarketing” partnerships and programs sweep through the industry, Compass International Holdings (CIH), Rocket and Redfin have sent out a letter asking MLSs to change their policies to support phased listing distribution and cease punishments on agents for “seller-directed marketing plans.” The letter, obtained by RISMedia, was seemingly shared with MLSs and…

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Behind every successful real estate professional is a strong support system—one that delivers the tools, infrastructure and guidance needed to empower entrepreneurs to excel.  From recruiting and lead development to long-term business strategy, the Brands by Integra network, a family-owned and -operated network of companies created back in 1995 and led by the D’Amico family,…

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America’s housing affordability crisis isn’t solely caused by too few homes. It’s also because of too few usable ones. A new report from real estate marketplace New Western suggests that local fix-and-flip investors—not homebuilders—are key to helping solve the problem. The report, conducted in partnership with the National Association for Housing Revitalization (NAHR), found that…

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Winter weather and market constraints put significant downward pressure on new-home sales to start off 2026, according to the latest data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Census Bureau. The New Residential Sales report for January found that new-home sales fell a whopping 17.6% to a rate of 587,000 (compared to…

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Above, Anthony Lamacchia, Josh Lioce and Jackie Louh Lamacchia Realty announced that Lioce Properties Group, based in Milford, Massachusetts, has joined the company following a merger finalized earlier this week. The move expands Lamacchia Realty’s presence in the South Metrowest and Worcester County markets.  “I’m so beyond excited to finally have an office in South…

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As largely expected, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at its March Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, leaving the federal funds rate unchanged at a rate of 3.5% – 3.75%—the same level established following December’s quarter-point cut. There was a singular dissenting vote from Stephen I. Miran, who preferred to lower the target…

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Just under nine months after filing a bombshell lawsuit against Zillow, Compass is dropping its legal challenge after the portal quietly modified its “Listing Access Standards” yesterday. The lawsuit had claimed that Zillow conspired with fellow portal Redfin to prevent Compass from implementing its “three-phased marketing plan” that involves a private listing phase. Last April,…

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Compass International Holdings announced on March 18 that Sue Yannaccone will serve as chief operating officer. In this new role, she will spearhead enterprise operations for the newly combined company, leading a cross-functional team to drive value for real estate professionals. She comes to the new position after serving as president and CEO of Anywhere…

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For Teresa Palacios Smith, inclusion is not a program—it is a practice. As chief inclusion and engagement officer at HomeServices of America, Palacios Smith has spent her career building bridges between the real estate industry and the diverse communities it serves. A Cornell-certified DEI expert, she leads initiatives that reach over 23,000 agents across more…

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