Why NextHome Joined eXp—What the Deal Means for the Real Estate Industry with James Dwiggins

The acquisition of NextHome by EXP World Holdings marks a pivotal moment for the real estate industry. In this episode of NAR Realtor News Change Agents, NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson talks with James Dwiggins, co‑founder and president of NextHome, about why the deal makes sense now and how it positions brokers for the future. Dwiggins explains how scale, capital, and smarter cost structures can unlock growth, innovation, and long‑term sustainability. At the same time, he offers a clear‑eyed warning: the industry risks sliding back 40 years, becoming more fragmented and less transparent. He notes most real estate agents don't realize that the industry is "one policy decision away from catastrophe," and says that while the past few years have been turbulent, "the next 36 months may be some of the most interesting we'll ever see in this business." A thoughtful look at where real estate is headed—what's promising, what's at stake, and how leaders are preparing for what comes next.