by Dani Vanderboegh | May 16, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
Turn up the volume on your real estate success at Inman On Tour: Nashville! Connect with industry trailblazers and top-tier speakers to gain powerful insights, cutting-edge strategies, and invaluable connections. Elevate your business and achieve your boldest goals — all with Music City magic. Register now.
Every Friday, Inman Service Editor Dani Vanderboegh rounds up the most popular, most read, most critical stories of the week to give you a quick catchup on the big headlines you might have missed in the hustle and bustle of the workweek. Here’s this week’s Top 5 as chosen by our readers.
P.S. Don’t miss The Download, our weekly column that breaks down one of the week’s top stories and equips you with what you’ll need to meet next Monday head-on.
Credit: Compass, Beyond My Ken / Wikimedia Commons, and AJ Canaria Creative Works
The SERHANT. CEO jabbed at Compass’ launch this month of physical books of the brokerage’s exclusive listings in offices nationwide, likening it to old-school bookstores like Barnes & Noble.
CoStar CEO Andy Florance on Thursday said the “Boost” tool it rolled out on April 29 will now be available for brokers and homeowners who have been thwarted by Zillow’s private listing ban.
Gary Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams, took the stand on what was set to be the final day of arguments in the Sitzer | Burnett trial on Friday, Oct. 27.
Judge called Davis’ demand for arbitration “redundant, immaterial, impertinent, and scandalous,” but ruled the former CEO made reasonable attempts to arbitrate his case against Keller Williams.
Last week, Caballero set new world records after selling 7,722 homes in 2024 and inking $3.92 billion in volume. The agent, who works exclusively with builders in Texas, shared his tips with Inman.
The deal will give Lower greater reach, while also contributing to an “end-to-end homeownership” platform — increasingly the holy grail of real estate technology.
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by Matt Carter | May 16, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
Lawsuit seeks class action status to represent Redfin shareholders, claiming they need more information about financial advisor’s potential conflict of interest before June 4 merger vote.
Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community, and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!
Rocket Companies’ deal to acquire real estate brokerage Redfin has run into a potential snag in the form of a lawsuit filed on behalf of Redfin shareholders claiming they should be provided with more information on a potential conflict of interest on the part of the deal’s financial advisor.
The lawsuit seeks a court order preventing Redfin shareholders from voting on the merger until they’ve received more details on Redfin deal advisor Goldman Sachs’ dual role as a lender to Rocket.
Redfin shareholders are currently scheduled to vote on the deal on June 4. The window for antitrust regulators to weigh in with questions or objections to the deal closed on May 8. Reporting earnings that day, Rocket executives said they expected to close the deal as soon as this quarter, which ends June 30.
Attorneys representing Redfin shareholder Jason Morano filed a lawsuit the next day, seeking class action certification to represent shareholders they claim were left in the dark by a “materially incomplete and misleading” deal proxy statement.
The May 9 complaint seeks more information on the nature of the lending relationship between Goldman Sachs and Rocket, and how much Rocket has paid Goldman over the last two years.
Redfin’s deal advisor is the investment bank Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. A Rocket SEC filing shows that Goldman Sachs Bank USA is one of several banks providing its subsidiary, Rocket Mortgage, with access to a $1.15 billion revolving credit facility.
Redfin’s May 5 proxy statement — a prospectus explaining the background and terms of the deal to investors — does disclose that “Goldman Sachs Investment Banking has an existing lending relationship with Rocket and/or its subsidiaries.”
But attorneys for Morano argue that disclosure is vague and lacks details that should have been provided to Redfin shareholders — such as how much of the $1.15 billion credit facility is provided by Goldman Sachs, and how much Rocket has paid the bank in interest and fees.
The lawsuit also seeks “key inputs” used to prepare a discounted cash flow analysis (DCF) used to support the valuation of Redfin and the board’s recommendation that shareholders approve the merger.
(Although structured as a merger, Redfin will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Rocket if the deal goes through.)
Rocket and Redfin did not respond to Inman’s requests for comment on the lawsuit.
Law firms often get involved in big mergers and acquisitions, sometimes winning settlements or better terms for shareholders.
Since Rocket announced its plans to acquire Redfin, at least seven law firms have publicized that they’re investigating the terms of the deal on behalf of Redfin shareholders: Halper Sadeh LLC; Ademi & Fruchter LLP; Kahn Swick & Foti LLC; Johnson Fistel LLP; Rowley Law PLLC; Brodsky & Smith and Monteverde & Associates PC.
Morano, who certified to the court that he owns 25 shares in Redfin purchased in March 2020, was previously the plaintiff in an unrelated 2022 lawsuit challenging Take-Two Interactive Software’s $12.7 billion acquisition of mobile games platform Zynga.
Attorneys for Morano urged the Seattle-based U.S. District Court, for the Western District of Washington to expedite the case by requiring opposition to their motion to be filed by May 14, and for a decision by May 15.
“With the shareholder vote a mere four weeks away, good cause and exigent circumstances exist warranting an order granting plaintiff’s requested relief of a shortened briefing schedule and an expedited hearing on plaintiff’s forthcoming motion for a preliminary injunction,” they said in a May 9 motion.
But Judge Richard A. Jones recused himself from the case on Thursday without holding a hearing, reassigning it to Judge Marsha J. Pechman.
Redfin recounts the long road to the deal
Challenges to mergers and acquisitions often seek to demonstrate that the company being acquired has been undervalued.
Redfin’s deal prospectus revealed that it has been in talks to be acquired since 2022, signing a non-disclosure agreement with Rocket in 2022 and with two other potential suitors in 2023.
Rocket submitted a non-binding proposal on Jan. 16 to acquire Rocket at an implied value of $10.45 per share — a 35 percent premium at the time.
Redfin’s board decided to hold out for a better offer, and on Jan. 30 entered into a confidentiality agreement with a fourth company interested in acquiring the brokerage.
Rocket upped its offer in an all-stock deal that valued Redfin at $12.50 per share, and a deal was signed on March 9.
In voting to approve the deal — and recommending that shareholders do the same — the board noted that Redfin had $812 billion in debt coming due over the next three years, including $74 million in October.
Redfin “had engaged in discussions with three other strategic parties that the Redfin board believed were most likely to have an interest in an acquisition of Redfin and would have the ability to consummate a transaction of this size and nature,” the prospectus stated. “No potentially interested counterparty other than Rocket submitted an offer.”
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by Mariya Gordon | May 16, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
As real estate professionals confront some of the most turbulent market conditions, one truth becomes clear: uncertainty is the new normal. From shifting commission structures to the rise of generative AI and uncertain tariff legislation, the rules of the game are being rewritten in real-time. The question is no longer whether the industry is changing, but how you will keep up.
Inman, the leading source of real estate news, education, and insights, is excited to announce that Inman On Tour Texas is back for 2025, bringing together the industry’s top agents, brokers and thought leaders for a one-of-a-kind event.
Taking place this October, Inman On Tour Texas will make a stop in Dallas, offering a full day of learning, networking and market-specific insights designed to empower real estate professionals with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.
Why Texas?
Texas is becoming a real estate powerhouse. With a booming population, rapid real estate growth and a housing market poised for long-term expansion, Texas presents unique opportunities and challenges for real estate professionals.
Rising construction costs, increasing interest rates and shifting buyer preferences have created a complex environment, making it more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve.
Key themes explored in Texas:
Future-Proofing: The Trends Defining Real Estate’s Next Chapter
- Gain a fresh perspective as we dive into the next era of real estate. From innovation and disruption to new business models, this session reveals what’s coming and how to prepare your strategy to thrive in it.
Luxury Unlocked: Winning in the High-End Market
- Industry experts discuss how to adapt your strategies to meet the demands of the modern luxury market and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Texas on the Rise: The Future of Real Estate in the Lone Star State
- Understand the emerging trends and opportunities in Texas and the surrounding region.
Channeling Market and Economic Forecasts to Attract More Clients
- Gain practical tips for positioning yourself as a trusted advisor in a fluctuating market, enhancing your value proposition and, ultimately, driving business growth.
Don’t miss out!
Join us in Texas this fall for a day of powerful insights, unparalleled networking and actionable strategies that will transform your business.
For more information and to book your ticket, visit Inman On Tour Texas.
Union Station, Dallas, Texas
Oct. 9, 2025
This post was originally published on this site
by Mariya Gordon | May 16, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
As real estate professionals confront some of the most turbulent market conditions, one truth becomes clear: uncertainty is the new normal. From shifting commission structures to the rise of generative AI and uncertain tariff legislation, the rules of the game are being rewritten in real-time. The question is no longer whether the industry is changing, but how you will keep up.
Inman, the leading source of real estate news, education, and insights, is excited to announce that Inman On Tour Texas is back for 2025, bringing together the industry’s top agents, brokers and thought leaders for a one-of-a-kind event.
Taking place this October, Inman On Tour Texas will make a stop in Dallas, offering a full day of learning, networking and market-specific insights designed to empower real estate professionals with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.
Why Texas?
Texas is becoming a real estate powerhouse. With a booming population, rapid real estate growth and a housing market poised for long-term expansion, Texas presents unique opportunities and challenges for real estate professionals.
Rising construction costs, increasing interest rates and shifting buyer preferences have created a complex environment, making it more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve.
Key themes explored in Texas:
Future-Proofing: The Trends Defining Real Estate’s Next Chapter
- Gain a fresh perspective as we dive into the next era of real estate. From innovation and disruption to new business models, this session reveals what’s coming and how to prepare your strategy to thrive in it.
Luxury Unlocked: Winning in the High-End Market
- Industry experts discuss how to adapt your strategies to meet the demands of the modern luxury market and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Texas on the Rise: The Future of Real Estate in the Lone Star State
- Understand the emerging trends and opportunities in Texas and the surrounding region.
Channeling Market and Economic Forecasts to Attract More Clients
- Gain practical tips for positioning yourself as a trusted advisor in a fluctuating market, enhancing your value proposition and, ultimately, driving business growth.
Don’t miss out!
Join us in Texas this fall for a day of powerful insights, unparalleled networking and actionable strategies that will transform your business.
For more information and to book your ticket, visit Inman On Tour Texas.
Union Station, Dallas, Texas
Oct. 9, 2025
This post was originally published on this site
by Debra Trappen | May 16, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
“Lead with Fire” is a transformative series created by Debra Trappen and designed for the soulful, visionary humans in the real estate industry who are done with the old playbook and ready to redefine success on their own terms.
Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community, and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!
Welcome to Lead with Fire: A soulful series for real estate game changers. This is more than business advice. “Lead with Fire” is a transformative series created for the soulful, visionary humans in the real estate industry who are done with the old playbook and ready to redefine success on their own terms.
If you’re craving more purpose, clarity, energy and alignment in how you lead, this space was made for you.
You’ll explore powerful themes like:
- Defining your core values and letting them lead
- Reclaiming your confidence and clarity
- Managing your energy instead of managing burnout
- Setting soulful boundaries and unapologetically owning your worth
- Creating visibility that feels authentic, not performative
- Building a supportive circle of women who actually get it
- Designing a business and life rooted in peace, not pressure
- Choosing what you focus on and watching it flourish
Each post includes a powerful message, a sacred invitation to reflect and a mantra to anchor your next step. This series will meet you where you are and call you toward who you’re becoming.
You’re not here to play small.
You’re here to lead with fire.
So grab your journal and breathe into this next chapter. Let’s do this beautifully, bravely and together.
How core values can clarify your path and fuel purposeful success
Success is more than strategy — it’s about alignment.
In a world that constantly tells you to hustle harder, scale faster and do more, what if the secret to sustainable success is more than strategy, it’s soulful alignment?
A clear set of core values is at the heart of every powerful business and fulfilling life. These are your inner compass. When you’re rooted in what truly matters, decisions get easier, relationships feel more authentic and your leadership becomes magnetic.
Why core values matter
Your core values are the beliefs and principles that guide your behavior, shape your decisions and influence how you show up in the world. They are daily anchors that keep you aligned when life or business gets chaotic.
When you define and live by your values:
- You make decisions with clarity and conviction
- You attract clients, collaborators and opportunities that feel like a full-body yes
- You build a brand and life that feels both purposeful and powerful
Without clearly defined values, it’s easy to drift. You might say yes when you really mean no. You might chase someone else’s version of success. You might even burn out trying to be everything to everyone.
How to identify what truly matters
Start by reflecting on moments in your life when you felt most alive, proud or at peace. What values were present in those experiences? Integrity? Creativity? Freedom? Connection?
Then, think about moments that left you frustrated or depleted – those are clues too. Often, it’s because one of your core values was compromised.
Your values aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re personal. Sacred. And they can evolve as you do.
Decision-making becomes powerful and peaceful
Once you know your values, you can use them like a filter. Every opportunity, collaboration and challenge becomes a chance to ask: “Is this aligned with what I value most?”
When the answer is yes, you move forward with confidence. When it’s no, you can walk away without guilt. That’s empowered leadership.
Reflective journal prompts
- What core values guide the way I show up in life and work?
(These are the non-negotiables that shape how I lead, love and live.)
- Where do I feel most in alignment with my values at this moment?
(What spaces, relationships or routines feel deeply true to me?)
- Where am I compromising what matters to me and why?
(Is it fear, obligation or something I’m ready to release?)
- How would my decisions shift if I trusted my values more than my fears?
(What would I say yes or no to from that place of alignment?)
- What is one value I want to honor more intentionally this week?
(How can I embody it in my business, relationships or self-care?)
Your next step: Define your top 3 core values
I’ve created a free guide to help you uncover your core values.
This is where we start. Once you know your core values, every subsequent step becomes clearer and more powerful.
Mantra to lead with fire
“I lead with what matters most. My values are my compass, and I trust the path they illuminate.”
Next up in the ‘Lead with Fire’ series: Passion vs. purpose: Why weaving them together builds a fulfilling business
Now that you’ve clarified your core values (aka your compass), it’s time to fuel your journey with passion and purpose. In the next post, we’ll explore the powerful difference between the two, how to harness both and why balancing them is the key to building a business (and life) that doesn’t burn you out.
Debra Trappen is the founder of the Red Threads Collective, a sacred community for women entrepreneurs. Connect with her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
This post was originally published on this site
by Jessi Healey | May 15, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the power of the Inman Community, and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!
The first quarter of 2025 reveals a real estate industry in motion — not just responding to headwinds, but actively reshaping its future. Tech-forward platforms like Zillow and CoStar Group are capitalizing on strategic growth areas, with Zillow returning to profitability and CoStar continuing its expansion of Homes.com.
At the same time, traditional and alternative players are sharpening their operational edges: LoanDepot and Douglas Elliman both narrowed losses while boosting revenue, and Guild’s mortgage originations soared despite a headline loss tied to a servicing writedown.
Yet the shakeups persist. EXp Realty’s agent count declined again, Redfin saw revenue dip ahead of its Rocket merger and Offerpad continues to battle soft sales, despite ramping up acquisitions. Meanwhile, Blend is reassessing its business model amid shrinking mortgage revenue, and Mr. Cooper’s servicing portfolio contracted for the first time in two years.
Across the board, companies are betting on efficiency, innovation and scale — some with clearer wins than others. Here’s how the top names performed in Q1 and what their results suggest about the industry’s evolving priorities.
The portal lifted its rental and mortgage segments in the first three months of 2025, earnings data shows. CEO Jeremy Wacksman said the gains came despite a tough market.
Revenue grew by 12 percent to $732 million, and the Homes.com salesforce expanded to 370 people on the way to a goal of 500 reps, according to quarterly earnings data.
Company founder Anthony Hsieh, who returned to the executive leadership team in March, says investments in technology, connections to real estate agents and joint ventures with homebuilders will help it scale.
The iBuyer revealed that it bought 3,609 homes in the first three months of 2025. That number represents a 4 percent year-over-year increase.
First quarter revenue was up year over year to $253.4 million and net loss decreased significantly on an annual basis to $6 million or $0.07 per diluted share, according to Q1 earnings data.
Shares in Guild Holdings gain 10 percent as investors recognize $23.9 million net loss for the quarter was driven by a $70 million writedown in the fair value of Guild’s mortgage servicing rights portfolio.
Blend posted a $9.4 million loss in the first quarter as the slow pace of home sales pulled revenue from its mortgage software suite down 22 percent from Q4. Its consumer banking suite brought in $9.6 million.
Executives put a positive spin on prospects for growth, with loan origination volume up 17 percent from a year ago to $32.4 billion, with refi boom helping drive 5 percent increase in revenue to $613.4 million.
At $15.1 million, Offerpad’s Q1 net loss was down 14 percent from Q4 2024, with home acquisitions up 18 percent to 454. A 9 percent drop in home sales caused revenue to shrink by 8 percent to $160.7 million.
Nation’s largest loan servicer turned an $88 million Q1 profit and remains on track to be acquired by Rocket in Q4, a deal that’s prompted United Wholesale Mortgage to cut ties to Mr. Cooper.
In its final quarter before it unveils a major update, the short-term rental leader posted $154 million in profit from 143.1 million total bookings on the Airbnb platform.
Despite a year-over-year decline in Q1, CEO Glenn Kelman voiced confidence as Redfin continued to finalize its $1.75 billion all-stock merger with Rocket Companies.
Move Inc. grew revenue for the second consecutive quarter, despite declines in lead volume and suppressed web and mobile traffic at Realtor.com, earnings data shows.
New Elevate program providing “concierge-level services” to agents is off to such a strong start that Fathom executives have temporarily suspended guidance while they rework the 2025 forecast.
Home loan giant boosts Q1 mortgage production by 7 percent, to $21.6 billion, and executives say plans to acquire Redfin and Mr. Cooper remain on track to close this year.
Despite a slower housing market, the brokerage’s revenue grew 28.7 percent year over year in Q1 while transactions rose 27.8 percent.
The cloud-based brokerage lifted agent count 11 percent between the end of December and March, according to quarterly earnings data. Real now boasts over 27,000 agents.
Revenue fell to $74.5 million, down from $78.3 million a year earlier, marking the 11th-straight quarter of decline, according to financial results posted by RE/MAX.
A $1.95 trillion asset cap that’s limited the bank’s growth could be lifted in Q2 with CFPB and other regulators having closed 12 of 14 consent orders aimed at remedying past business practices.
The franchisor’s performance was driven by its luxury brands. President and CEO Ryan Schneider also reaffirmed during an investors’ call the company’s stance on Clear Cooperation.
Jessi Healey is a freelance writer and social media manager specializing in real estate. Find her on Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, or Bluesky.
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