Paint News Today — September 16, 2026
Is your title production process creating the problem? and more — today's paint signal.
The real estate industry is navigating a period of adjustment, with shifting interest rates and evolving business strategies. As the housing market settles into a new normal with higher interest rates, industry players are being forced to re-examine their processes and partnerships. The impact of higher rates is already being felt, with new home purchase applications falling for the fifth straight month, indicating a cooling of demand.
In response, companies are looking for ways to streamline operations and expand their offerings. The trend towards consolidation and partnership-building continues, with Bilt acquiring Livly and teaming up with Collective Residential to drive growth. Meanwhile, brokerages like SERHANT. are strengthening their presence in key markets, such as the Hamptons, with the addition of top-producing teams like Pinkwater Metzger Team. As the industry adapts to these changes, calls for greater collaboration and interoperability are growing louder, with the CEO of CMLS urging MLSs to break down silos and work together more effectively.
Today's signal:
• Is your title production process creating the problem? (housingwire.com)
• Pinkwater Metzger Team joins SERHANT. in the Hamptons (housingwire.com)
• CMLS CEO wants MLSs to break down silos (housingwire.com)
• A Fed rate hike could test housing’s new ‘rate normal’ (housingwire.com)
• Bilt buys Livly, teams with Collective Residential in growth push (housingwire.com)
• Pressured by higher rates, hew home purchase applications fall for fifth straight month (housingwire.com)