Forecast 2026: Mortgage Rates, MLS Wars, and Industry Consolidations

Forecast 2026: Mortgage Rates, MLS Wars, and Industry Consolidations

Author: Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson December 31, 2025 Duration: 1:02:27

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player!

Overview

Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson close out the year with their annual predictions episode. They debate where housing transactions, interest rates, and home prices are headed, then turn to broader market forecasts. The conversation shifts to industry-specific predictions around lawsuits, private listings, MLS policy, portal strategy, and where consolidation may reshape brokerages and real estate technology next.

Key Takeaways

  • Existing home sales, interest rates, and median home price predictions — with very different rationales.

  • Why mortgage rates may be driven more by the bond market than the Fed.

  • Bold calls on NASDAQ, gold, and Bitcoin.

  • Compass vs. Zillow and the future of private listings.

  • A potential overturning of the NAR settlement and what that would mean for the industry.

  • Why forms litigation could be the next major legal battleground.

  • What portals like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Homes.com may need to change.

  • Predictions around major brokerage, franchise, and proptech consolidation.

  • MLSs redefining participants, IDX access, and control of listing data.

 

Connect with Rob and Greg

Rob's Website 

Greg's Website 

 

Watch us on YouTube

 

Our Sponsors:

Cotality 

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board 

 

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

 


Industry Relations is a weekly conversation hosted by Rob Hahn, also known as The Notorious ROB, and Greg Robertson. It operates at a unique crossroads, examining where the business of real estate collides with and is reshaped by new technology. This isn't a surface-level tech review; the discussion comes from an insider's perspective, built on years of direct experience within the field. Each episode delves into the practical implications of software platforms, shifting market data, and emerging business models that are actively changing how properties are bought, sold, and managed. The hosts analyze trends, debate strategies, and often challenge conventional wisdom, providing a nuanced look at the forces driving change. Listening to this podcast offers a deeper understanding of the operational and entrepreneurial challenges faced by professionals navigating this evolving landscape. You'll hear specific case studies, evaluations of new tools, and forward-looking predictions about what's next for the industry. The tone is direct and informed, reflecting the hosts' deep background, making it essential for anyone invested in the future of real estate as a business. Tune in for thoughtful, weekly analysis that goes beyond the headlines.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Industry Relations
Podcast Episodes
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The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg break down NAR's latest settlement move, Zillow's shift toward pre-marketing, and what it all means for the industry.…
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The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg discuss Northwest MLS countersuing Compass and the broader implications for private listings, cooperation, and MLS ru…
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