RealPage Sues Berkeley Over Ban on Rent Pricing Algorithms

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RealPage Sues Berkeley Over Unconstitutional Ordinance, Defends Role in Housing Market Amid Antitrust Scrutiny

RealPage, a company that provides software to help property managers set rent prices using data and algorithms, is taking legal action against the City of Berkeley, California. The company has filed a lawsuit to block an ordinance that it claims bans lawful speech and is based on false claims about its revenue management software. Passed by the Berkeley City Council in March, the ordinance seeks to prohibit algorithms that recommend market-appropriate rent prices to property managers.

RealPage argues the ordinance is unconstitutional, asserting that its software is legally compliant, helps create a healthier rental market, and supports affordable housing. The company is seeking an injunction to prevent the ordinance from going into effect next month.

This legal battle comes as RealPage is also facing an ongoing antitrust lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice and several state attorneys general. The DOJ alleges that the company’s software facilitated collusion among landlords to artificially inflate rental prices, violating antitrust laws.

RealPage has denied the allegations, calling them without merit and asserting that its technology is crucial to improving the efficiency and affordability of housing. The company plans to continue its legal efforts to defend its role in the housing ecosystem.

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Survey: Nearly Half of Americans Believe Homeownership is Out of Reach

April is Fair Housing Month and a new survey from KeyBank highlights a growing concern: many Americans feel homeownership is out of reach. According to the 2025 Financial Mobility Survey, nearly half of non-homeowners believe they’ll never own a home, a significant increase from last year.

However, the survey also points to solutions. Respondents who met with mortgage loan officers or accessed financial education tools expressed more confidence in their ability to buy a home. Among recent homebuyers, 30% said learning about affordable homebuying programs directly influenced their decision.

Experts suggest that you could attain more transaction by engaging in financial education of your clients, from budgeting to understanding homeownership costs, plays a crucial role in helping individuals navigate the homebuying process. Despite challenges in the housing market, guidance and planning can make homeownership more achievable for many.

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Redfin Survey Reveals Declining Agent Satisfaction, Economic Challenges, and Rising Concerns Over Climate Change in Real Estate

A new survey commissioned by Redfin reveals some eye-opening insights into the state of the real estate industry. Conducted by Ipsos and featuring responses from 500 agents across various brokerages, the 2025 Industry Survey sheds light on both the challenges and opportunities shaping the profession.

One of the most striking findings is a sharp decline in agent satisfaction. Only 21% of real estate professionals would recommend the career to others, with nearly 50% unlikely to encourage anyone to join the field. The unpredictability of income and difficulty in attracting clients were highlighted as major frustrations, though many agents still appreciate the entrepreneurial freedom the job provides.

Looking ahead, the biggest concern for agents is the affordability crisis, with 64% of agents viewing it as a significant challenge over the next five years. Other major issues include a persistent lack of housing inventory and shrinking commission rates, though many agents remain hopeful for increased sales this year.

The survey also pointed to climate change as a growing concern, with 40% of agents noting its impact on where people choose to live. At the same time, nearly half of agents encountered more insurance-related issues in their transactions last year. However, less than 10% of agents report receiving training to address climate risks with clients.

Another troubling trend is the rise in discrimination within the industry. Over a third of women and 38% of non-white agents reported experiencing bias, signaling a need for change. Additionally, attitudes toward the National Association of Realtors have soured significantly, with over 50% of agents holding an unfavorable view, following recent industry shifts.

Finally, the survey found that more than half of agents expect commission rates to decline in the next year, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the market.

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