January 2026

Max Stokes splits from Fox & Stokes to launch N.J. Compass team

As Compass finalizes its $1.6 billion merger with Anywhere, one of North Jersey’s most closely watched luxury real estate teams is undergoing a major transition. Max Stokes — a founding principal of Compass’ Ridgewood, N.J., office and a top-producing agent in Bergen County — is splitting from the Fox & Stokes Team, which closed roughly […]

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Engel & Völkers gains top California team from Sotheby’s

One of Sotheby’s International Realty’s top luxury teams is making the move over to Engel & Völkers. On Tuesday, Truszkowski Freedman & Associates announced its departure from Sotheby’s, an Anywhere brand that is now owned by Compass.  The team, which is based on California’s Monterey Peninsula, is led by Zak Freedman and Nicole Truszkowski, and

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Lawmakers move to restrict private listings in Washington

Lawmakers in Washington state are weighing in on the real estate industry’s private listing debate. On Monday, state legislators introduced a bill that seeks to amend an existing state statute related to real estate licensing laws by restricting the use of private listing networks in the state. The bill describes itself as “an act relating

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House bill would raise VA mortgage fees to fund veterans’ benefits

Mortgage trade groups are closely monitoring a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would raise fees on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgages to help fund other veterans’ benefits. The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2025 (H.R. 6047) — introduced in November by Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) and

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Lock activity increases in December, defying seasonal trends

Mortgage rate-lock activity ended the year on a strong note in spite of seasonal trends, new industry data found. Processing Content Optimal Blue’s latest Market Advantage report showed total lock volume increased 2% from November and finished 30% higher than last December. The boost was driven primarily by rate-and-term refinances, which rose 13% on a

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Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman steps down after 20 years

Long-time Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman is leaving the firm, he announced in a LinkedIn post Tuesday afternoon. Processing Content “After 20 years, I’m leaving Redfin,” he wrote. “I gave it my all! Leaving was my decision. I love my colleagues. We saved consumers a billion dollars in commissions. I hope to use all that I

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JPM’s 4Q gain-on-sale drop off a negative sign for IMBs

Mortgage originations for JPMorgan Chase were “modestly” over what analysts expected, but even with the increase in the retail channel share, gain on sale was down. Processing Content This is an early downbeat sign for the independent mortgage banking community, a report from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods indicates. Chase is the first large bank to

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Citi to cut about 1,000 jobs this week as Fraser trims costs

Citigroup Inc. is set to cut about 1,000 jobs this week as part of Chief Executive Jane Fraser’s march to keep a lid on costs and improve returns at the Wall Street bank. Processing Content The company, which had 227,000 employees at the end of September, is culling its ranks as part of a plan

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Trump says furor over Powell probe won’t delay Fed pick

(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump said he would announce his nomination to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell within “the next few weeks” despite the backlash over a Justice Department probe into the remodeling of the central bank’s headquarters that has threatened his ability to secure a confirmation. Processing Content Trump was asked about his

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