Zillow LOSES in Court but it might be OVER for HOUSING anyway!

Redfin says this is the strongest buyer's market in its records. Mortgage purchase applications are down 19% from a year ago, rates are back near 7%, and the Fed decides today. More homes are hitting the market and buyers have more leverage, but affordability is still keeping many of them on the sidelines. That contradiction is the story. **In this live episode, we'll cover:** * Record buyer leverage, six-year-high supply, and why late September may be the best buying window of 2026. * Mortgage demand falling as rates climb, plus LIVE reaction to the Fed decision. * VantageScore 4.0 opening to all approved Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lenders. * Zillow losing its MRED injunction bid, facing a shareholder suit, and expanding Preview through RealScout. * The industry's push to build more housing, including Let America Build and Airbnb's $250 million accelerator. * AI data centers, Compass Global, a new Homes.com president, and Sotheby's latest move toward company ownership. Hit Notify Me and join us LIVE. What are buyers and sellers actually doing in your market right now? **ARTICLES & SOURCES** Record Buyer Leverage Meets an Affordability Wall - https://www.redfin.com/news/buyers-vs-sellers-august-2026/ • https://www.realtor.com/research/best-time-to-buy-2026/ • https://www.redfin.com/news/housing-market-update-high-costs-sideline-buyers-negotiating-power/ • https://www.redfin.com/news/new-listings-surge-august-2026/ Mortgage Purchase Demand Drops 19% as Rates Jump - https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/16/mortgage-demand-from-homebuyers-drops-19percent-from-a-year-ago.html VantageScore 4.0 Opens to All Approved GSE Lenders - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/11/nar-fhfa-vantagescore-4-0-credit-score/ • http://nowbam.com/vantagescore-4-0-is-now-available-to-every-approved-gse-lender/ • https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/15/mortgage-credit-scores-vantagescore-fico-homebuyers.html Zillow Loses MRED Injunction Bid as Fight Moves to Arbitration - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/16/zillow-compass-mred-chicago-listings-access-standards/ Zillow Faces Shareholder Suit Over Redfin Deal and Stock Sales - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/11/zillow-redfin-rentals-jeremy-wacksman-ftc-stock-sales/ Zillow Preview Is Coming to RealScout - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/15/zillow-preview-realscout-integration/ • https://nowbam.com/zillow-and-realscout-team-up-to-bring-preview-listings-to-more-buyers/ Real Estate Rivals Unite Behind Let America Build - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/15/realtor-exp-zillow-housing-crisis/ • https://nowbam.com/real-estate-giants-unite-behind-one-campaign-to-build-more-homes/ • https://letamericabuild.org/ AI Data Centers: Big Demand, Mixed Housing Effects - https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/15/data-center-reit-ceo-ai-slowdown.html • https://www.nar.realtor/news/real-estate-news/is-there-a-data-center-effect-on-real-estate Compass Launches Global Referral Division - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/14/compass-building-bridges-with-agent-led-global-division/ Homes.com Hires Felix Kusch as President - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/15/costar-group-homes-dot-com-felix-kusch-president/ Sotheby's Brings Its Two Largest Franchises In-House - https://nowbam.com/sothebys-international-realtys-two-biggest-franchises-are-now-company-owned/ Airbnb Launches a $250M Housing Accelerator - https://www.inman.com/2026/09/15/realtor-exp-zillow-housing-crisis/ **ABOUT tWiRE** tWiRE - This Week in Real Estate is a live real estate news show (every Wednesday!) examining the biggest stories shaping housing, real estate, mortgage lending, brokerages, agents, buyers, sellers, and the industry. #HousingMarket #MortgageRates #RealEstateNews