Editor’s note: Econ Review is a roundup of the housing and economic market data reports released during the month. As the first half of 2026 has come to a close, the larger expectations for the housing market may not necessarily have been met, but optimism remains. 2026 was originally expected to be a year of…

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Above, from left, Rajeev Sajja, Marki Lemons Ryhal, Charles Oppler, Amy Gromowski and Matthew Rathbun AI usage has increased exponentially over the past year, as brokers and agents implement the technology to increase efficiency, enhance relationships and modernize marketing. But with AI’s advantages come a variety of risks as we plunge into new territory.  In…

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In 2026, real estate marketing is more competitive than ever.  Homeowners are bombarded with emails, social media ads, text messages and online promotions every day. While digital marketing remains essential, many agents are rediscovering the value of a strategy that has delivered results for decades: Direct mail. The difference is that today’s direct mail campaigns…

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A resilient labor market may finally be bowing under the pressure of back-and-forth tariffs, the now five-month-long war against Iran and inflationary pressure on wages, with the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reporting a decrease of 23,000 payrolls in July with downward revisions of previous months. Most sectors lost jobs, with healthcare a notable…

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Democratic firebrand Elizabeth Warren is joining a handful of other lawmakers in calling out Compass and MRED for their private-listing centered partnership, penning a letter with accusations that their practices could “perpetuate” discrimination and make housing harder to access. First reported by Realtor.com®, the letter is the second time in about two weeks that federal…

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Despite fierce headwinds driven by the war in Iran and still-rising mortgage rates, Rocket Companies reported impressive gains during its Q2 earnings call on August 6, thanks in large part to reaching “record levels” in both purchase and refinance quarterly marketshare. “It was one of the toughest spring housing markets in years,” said Rocket Companies…

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United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) Chairman, President & CEO Mat Ishbia foreshadowed potential legal action with mortgage servicer Two Harbors for the allegedly “inappropriate” handling of its sale. During the company’s Q2 earnings call, Ishbia addressed the bidding war against CrossCountry Mortgage in order to acquire Two Harbors, which took place back in the spring. UWM…

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As the real estate industry grapples with shifting consumer expectations, evolving technology, and increasing competition for listing data, REsides, Inc. is convening a panel of respected industry leaders to examine one of the most consequential questions facing the business today: Who controls the listing? A live webinar titled, “The Listing Wars Aren’t Coming. They’re Already…

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Keller Williams (KW) has announced that Marti Realty Group (MRG), a teamerage-style, independent brokerage, has affiliated with Keller Williams® City-View, a KW-affiliated brokerage in San Antonio, Texas. Co-founded by Chris and Meredith Marti, MRG has closed 1,038 transaction sides representing $301.4 million in sales volume year-to-date. In 2025, MRG generated $260.9 million in sales volume…

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Mortgage rates continued their upward march, coming in above year-ago levels for the first time in 44 weeks, but economists are pointing to improving trends in housing inventory and list prices as a silver lining for buyers.  The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate (FRM) rose three basis points this week to 6.69%, up from 6.66%…

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