Tariff Turmoil Tumbles Stocks. Will the housing market CRASH?

Private listings, broker lawsuits, and mortgage mayhem — Episode 312 is packed with the headlines shaping the future of real estate. This week on tWiRE (This Week in Real Estate), we’re diving headfirst into the chaos, clarity, and controversy rocking the housing industry.

🕵️‍♂️ Private Listing Networks Are Here

In the wake of the NAR’s massive commission settlement, major brokerages are rolling out their own private listing networks — sidestepping the traditional MLS system and stirring up fresh concerns around transparency, competition, and access. Is this the beginning of a new era in real estate marketing… or a dangerous return to shadow inventory?

⚖️ Courtroom Tension Builds

• The Gibson defendants make a bold move to escape a Missouri judge’s oversight in the bombshell commission lawsuit.

• Keller Williams franchisees launch a legal attack on high-profile agent Veronica Figueroa, accusing her of poaching agents and violating franchise agreements.

• And in the tech turf war, Move Inc. (parent of Realtor.com) is fighting to dismiss a lawsuit from CoStar, which claims trade secret violations in the escalating battle for online listings dominance.

📉 Stocks on the Edge: Opendoor & Fathom

Real estate tech darlings Opendoor and Fathom Realty are on the brink — their stock prices have dropped so low they’re flirting with the dreaded $1 delisting threshold. What’s driving investor panic, and what could it mean for agents who rely on these platforms?

🎯 NAR’s New Ad Campaign — Too Late or Right on Time?

NAR’s latest campaign, “Right By You,” aims to rebuild public trust by featuring real people and real stories about why agents matter. But in a climate of deep skepticism, is this a genuine reset — or just damage control?

📉📈 Tariff Chaos Rocks Mortgage Rates (Again)

• Just when buyers started to breathe, mortgage rates slingshot higher again thanks to tariff uncertainty and international market turbulence.

• The U.S. raised Canadian lumber tariffs to a staggering 34.45%, setting off alarm bells for builders and buyers alike.

• Despite the rate rollercoaster, housing affordability remains near record lows, with price growth still outpacing wage gains in most metro areas.

• But it’s not all doom and gloom — in some markets, falling rates are actually boosting buyer power. We break it all down.

💸 How Are Buyers Coping?

• A new Redfin survey reveals that 1 in 5 homebuyers plan to sell stocks to cover their down payment — a risky sign of desperation or a creative strategy in an uncertain economy?

• Meanwhile, 68% of condos sold below list price in February — the highest share in five years. Is this the start of a condo correction, or just a blip?

🌪️ And Finally… Is a Recession Coming for Housing?

We wrap with a big-picture look at growing recession fears and what they could mean for housing demand, lending, construction, and pricing. Is the industry bracing for impact — or adapting just in time?

 

📢 Don’t miss this week’s deep dive into the headlines that matter — without the fluff or fear-mongering. Whether you’re an agent, investor, or just trying to make sense of this wild market, tWiRE keeps you ahead of the curve with sharp insights and real talk.

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