Rocket Companies delivered a resounding first quarter showing strong execution despite market volatility, signaling that the company’s three-year transformation into a fully integrated homeownership platform is creating durable competitive advantages that competitors will struggle to replicate. During Rocket Companies’ Q1 earnings call Thursday, CEO Varun Krishna outlined three core themes for the quarter. “First, we…

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Freddie Mac reported today that mortgage rates increased this week, still being driven by geopolitical tensions and sticky inflation, according to economists. The average mortgage rate increased 7 basis points to 6.37%, up from 6.30%, last week, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), released by Freddie Mac Thursday. “The expectation of rates…

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Zillow posted a strong earnings report for Q1 2026, with revenue up year-over-year as the company launches new consumer-facing initiatives.  But in CEO Jeremy Wacksman’s opening remarks to investors yesterday after the report, he specifically framed Zillow’s success as overcoming a housing market in a rut.  “We once again outperformed the broader housing market, which…

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A federal judge in Virginia has denied a motion to dismiss the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) major antitrust lawsuit against Zillow and Redfin, clearing the way for the case to advance. U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga issued the ruling Wednesday night, rejecting arguments from the two companies that the FTC’s allegations didn’t meet the legal…

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Days after announcing it would be purchasing legacy franchisor REMAX for $880 million, ascendant tech-focused Real Brokerage announced strong financial results to kick off 2026, with agent count jumping 25% and revenues increasing sharply as company executives touted new opportunities from the acquisition. Reporting Q1 earnings, with $465 million revenue (up 34% year-over-year) and 41,882…

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Above: NextHome Co-CEO James Dwiggins and eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja Virtual-focused brokerage eXp announced it is buying NextHome, in a move that pairs yet another high-growth tech-focused company with a more traditional franchisor as the industry rapidly accelerates through an unprecedented period of consolidation. In an announcement today, eXp and NextHome executives characterized the…

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United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) delivered what CEO Mat Ishbia called an “exceptional quarter,” reporting loan origination volume of $44.9 billion for Q1 2026, up 39% year-over-year and marking the company’s second-highest first quarter in company history. The Michigan-based wholesale lender reported total revenue of $901.4 million, net income of $170.4 million and adjusted EBITDA of…

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Compass remains in headlines this week as CEO Robert Reffkin addressed the industry’s “shifting stance on phased marketing” in the company’s recent Q1 2026 earnings call, as the brokerage touts new synergies and business growth from its recent acquisitions. Speaking to investors, Reffkin said that he and other Compass executives are “pleased to see several…

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Mortgage applications declined for a second week in a row as economists point to economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continuing to weigh on activity and drive mortgage rates up. According to the latest Market Composite Index from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)—its measure of mortgage loan activity volume and includes purchases and refinances—decreased 4.4% on…

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Above, Bess Freedman, left and Michele Harrington Brown Harris Stevens (BHS) and FirstTeam®—based in New York City and Southern California, respectively—today announced what they are describing as a multi-year marketing partnership meant to “unite” the two storied independents from coast to coast. Focused on “cross-marketing initiatives, advertising, public relations, networking, and shared insights,” company executives…

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