The real estate industry has experienced unprecedented legal scrutiny over the past several years, but 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has secured several significant courtroom victories while also reaching a proposed nationwide settlement designed to provide broader legal protections for REALTORS®, associations, MLSs, and brokerages. …
Category: News
Jun 30
NAR Weighs In on Massachusetts Rent Control Court Challenge
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has joined a coalition of housing organizations in filing an amicus brief with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, adding its voice to a legal challenge involving a proposed statewide rent control ballot initiative. The proposed measure would repeal Massachusetts’ longstanding prohibition on rent control and replace it with a …
Jun 29
Illinois Judge Pauses Batton Buyer Commission Lawsuit While Related Settlement Moves Forward
The legal landscape surrounding buyer agent commission lawsuits continues to evolve. An Illinois federal judge has granted a request to temporarily pause proceedings in the Batton homebuyer commission lawsuit against the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). The decision allows the court to wait for developments in the separate Tuccori case, where NAR recently reached a …
Jun 26
NAR Backs Legal Challenge to New York’s Rent Stabilization Law
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), together with the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and several industry organizations, is supporting a federal legal challenge to New York’s Rent Stabilization Law. The groups are seeking to provide the court with additional legal and policy perspectives through an amicus, or “friend of the court,” brief. …
Jun 24
Another Major Step in Real Estate Commission Litigation: What the Tuccori Settlement Could Mean for Buyers and Agents
The legal aftershocks of the real estate commission lawsuits are still reshaping the industry, and a new development could have significant implications for brokers, agents, MLS organizations, and homebuyers nationwide. A federal judge has granted preliminary approval to a proposed settlement in the Tuccori homebuyer class-action case, marking another milestone in the ongoing wave of …
Jun 23
Is the Housing Market Waiting for a Recession? Not So Fast.
If you’ve been putting off buying a home because you’re waiting for a recession, you’re definitely not alone. A lot of buyers have spent the last couple of years thinking, “I’ll just wait until prices drop.” The problem? The big drop everyone keeps talking about hasn’t happened. In fact, economists are saying that even if …
Jun 22
Mortgage Rates Hover Near the 6% Range in 2026: What It Means for Home Buyers
After several years of volatility, mortgage rates in 2026 are showing signs of greater stability. While rates remain higher than the historic lows seen during the pandemic era, many buyers are adjusting to what has become the new normal: mortgage rates around 6%. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage briefly dipped below 6% earlier this year …
Jun 19
Housing Market Shift: Buyers Are Finally Seeing More Opportunities
For much of the past few years, homebuyers have faced a frustrating combination of high mortgage rates, limited inventory, and rising home prices. Many buyers paused their searches, hoping for better conditions before making a move. But the housing market may be entering a new chapter. Recent housing data suggests that buyer activity is beginning …
Jun 17
Mortgage Rates Are Climbing Again. Should Buyers Panic?
Just when homebuyers thought they were catching a break, mortgage rates decided to remind everyone who’s boss. After dipping below 6% earlier this year and giving buyers a much-needed dose of optimism, mortgage rates have bounced back into the mid-6% range. It’s not exactly the news house hunters were hoping for, especially after months of …
Jun 16
From Market Correction to Market Opportunity: What Homebuyers and Sellers Can Expect in 2027
After several years defined by elevated mortgage rates, affordability challenges, and historically low transaction volume, the housing market is entering a new phase. While 2025 and much of 2026 tested the patience of buyers and sellers alike, emerging trends suggest that 2027 could mark the beginning of a more balanced and active real estate landscape. …
Jun 15
Mortgage Rates Remain Elevated in 2026 as Housing Market Searches for Momentum
After a brief period of optimism earlier this year, mortgage rates have moved higher once again, creating new challenges for homebuyers and sellers across the country. While rates remain below the peaks seen in previous years, they continue to hover in the mid-to-upper 6% range, keeping affordability at the center of the housing conversation. For …
Jun 12
Mortgage Rates in 2026: Affordability Improves, but Challenges Remain
Mortgage rates remain one of the biggest factors shaping the housing market in 2026. While rates are lower than the peaks seen in 2023 and parts of 2024, affordability continues to be a concern for many buyers as home prices remain elevated and inventory varies significantly by market. Recent mortgage-rate trends have encouraged more buyers …
