AJ LaTrace

Director, News Reporting

AJ has covered real estate for the last decade as a reporter and editor for publications including Vox Media's Curbed, Chicago magazine and Business Insider. At Business Insider, AJ led the brand's coverage of how everyday people invest in real estate as a means of gaining financial independence, and he reported on big-picture trends and pain points in the broader U.S. real estate market. AJ is based in Chicago, where he also moonlights as a small-time landlord.

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Compass to share exclusives — if brokers, MLSs play by 2 rules
The leading brokerage wants rival brokerages and MLSs to agree not to alter or monetize its private listings. It also wants to put “false accusations” to rest.
July 11, 2025
Looking past NAR drama to the heart of Hanna’s success
Hoby Hanna dishes on what it takes to be the nation’s largest privately held brokerage and the advantages — and challenges — of being an independent brand.
July 6, 2025
Indies flex their muscle as the big brokerages get bigger
Regional brokerages are seizing opportunities — and grabbing the mic — as consolidation and conflict shift the balance of power in residential real estate.
July 4, 2025
California passes sweeping reform to expedite new housing
The changes, which include an overhaul of the California Environmental Quality Act, target affordability and the housing shortage, the governor’s office said.
July 2, 2025
Compass CEO asks judge to stop Zillow’s listing ban
Robert Reffkin claims the new standards will “cause irreparable damage” and suggested that Zillow and Redfin execs were working together to force Compass’ hand.
June 27, 2025
Chicago indie brokerages merge as national brands close in
The union of venerable Baird & Warner and “friendly competitor” Dream Town will create the 2nd-largest brokerage in the region, with about 3,000 agents.
June 26, 2025
Agents rethink pricing strategies as buyers gain leverage
Two new agent surveys indicate that while affordability remains a top concern for home shoppers, the market is starting to favor buyers.
June 25, 2025
Opendoor betting on agent partners as it looks to boost revenue
“We’re in growth mode. We’re eager to get more great agent partnerships going because we have so many customers we want to serve,” the company said.
June 24, 2025
Startup aims to bring assumable mortgages to the masses
Could a new market emerge around homebuyers taking over a seller’s existing low interest rate loan? One proptech veteran thinks so.
June 13, 2025
Investors sell off homes amid softening market
Last year saw a record-high share of investor home sales. Meanwhile, smaller investors made new gains, and the Midwest emerged as a focal point for buyers.
June 11, 2025
Baird: Chicago’s brokerage battle will be won by the ‘owner-driven’
Stephen Baird of Baird & Warner has seen many brokerage giants rise and fall over the decades and believes a similar scenario may be playing out right now.
June 6, 2025
Compass CEO lambastes MLSs, NAR in fiery keynote
In an address to Compass agents, CEO Robert Reffkin declared the debate over “choice and control” to be “the most important moment in real estate history.”
June 5, 2025
US home listings worth nearly $700 billion — a new record
Of that total, close to half — $330 billion — is tied up in stale listings as buyers remain hesitant despite rising inventory, according to a Redfin report.
June 2, 2025
The power of mortgage rates ‘cannot be overstated’
Though high mortgage rates persist, a new Realtor.com survey indicates some younger potential homebuyers are growing tired of delaying their purchase plans.
May 30, 2025
Compass touts ‘transparency’ of new seller disclosure form
The 685-word document lays out possible benefits and risks — notably, less buyer interest and a lower sale price — when picking the 3-phased marketing strategy.
May 28, 2025
Where small brokerages have an edge over the giants
LeadingRE’s Jessica Edgerton explained how regional and family firms can excel by reacting to market changes quickly and building culture and trust.
May 24, 2025
How mainstream media approaches real estate reporting
Reporters from The Wall Street Journal and New York Times spoke to an audience of real estate execs about how they cover the industry — and contentious topics.
May 24, 2025
Anywhere ready to seize this ‘growth moment’
Leaders of the company's owned and franchise brands sat down this week to discuss expansion opportunities and how women are leading the way.
May 22, 2025
eXp’s CEO has ambitious goals — and he’s ‘not going anywhere’
Now that Leo Pareja holds “the keys to the battleship,” he wants to drive massive growth, and he thinks the brokerage of the future will look a lot like eXp.
May 21, 2025
MLS, association execs split on NAR’s delayed marketing policy
A majority of industry execs disapprove of how the national association has handled Clear Cooperation, and some questioned NAR’s motives, a recent survey found.
May 20, 2025