Stephanie Reid-Simons

Senior Vice President

Stephanie followed her grandpa's path into journalism, reporting and editing her way into leadership roles with news teams covering everything from courts and crime to entertainment, sports and business. At Amazon and Zillow, she used her strategic storytelling skills to earn the attention of millions of people, establish a content marketing practice and help build a creative agency. She enjoys spending time with her family and tackling overly ambitious home-improvement projects.

New Alabama law: Buyers can tour homes without a contract
Buyer agreements “are a good thing,” Alabama Realtors CEO says, but the law, inspired in part by the DOJ, gives consumers and agents more time to negotiate.
March 21, 2025
Freddie Mac CEO fired as FHFA shakeups continue
Mike Hutchins, an economist, author and Freddie Mac exec since 2013, steps into the interim CEO role for the second time in a year after Diana Reid is let go.
March 21, 2025
DOJ calls out ‘misleading’ claims about its take on Clear Cooperation
Despite what “industry participants” have said, the Department of Justice clarified that it “has not taken a position” on whether CCP is anticompetitive.
Updated March 19, 2025
FHFA head overhauls Fannie, Freddie boards, makes himself chair
William Pulte ousts board members, adds new ones, including a DOGE-affiliated engineer. Plus, HUD floats affordable housing proposal, the CFPB clings to life.
March 18, 2025
HomeServices of America is not for sale, CEO says
Gino Blefari denied a Wall Street Journal report of acquisition talks with Compass, saying “there are no discussions, negotiations or agreements” taking place.
Updated March 19, 2025
Tomo Mortgage raises $20 million from Progressive and others
The news comes on the heels of Rocket’s acquisition of Redfin — a “power move,” said Tomo’s CEO, an ex-Zillow exec — plus a major equity investment in KW.
March 11, 2025
NAR CEO talks housing with top lawmakers
Homeownership is “one of Washington’s truly bipartisan issues,” the association’s chief advocacy officer said, while HUD freezes funding and considers crypto.
March 10, 2025
Pushback in eXp, Weichert settlements called ‘self-serving’
Attorneys in the Hooper case defended the deals they reached with the brokerages and accused Gibson lawyers of trying to “line their own pockets.”
March 8, 2025
Is the latest jobs report good news for housing? ‘It’s complex’
Home sales could rise if rates continue to drop, but as the economy shows some signs of a weakening, consumers could become more cautious.
March 7, 2025
MLS offering listings-based broker profit sharing
St. Louis-based MARIS says its new program could bring “multiple tens of thousands of dollars” to some brokers by giving them a percentage of data feed revenue.
March 7, 2025
Compass CEO: ‘We co-broke with everyone’
Robert Reffkin, a loud voice in the Clear Cooperation debate, invites all agents to check out the brokerage’s Coming Soon listings.
March 5, 2025
Opendoor sees opportunity in its stream of high-intent sellers
Real estate’s top iBuyer reported increased revenue as it looks to “give sellers more choices” through listing products that go beyond a standard cash offer.
February 28, 2025
New RE/MAX branding takes flight
Consumers found the “digital-first” logo — which includes a subtler take on the brand’s famous balloon — more appealing than the old design, the company said.
February 25, 2025
Tracking how Trump’s changes are hitting home in DC
Bright MLS launches a new site with housing market data for the nation’s capitol. Plus, inland condo prices rise in Florida, and new home sales dip in Texas.
February 24, 2025
Compass says its data shows benefits of ‘pre-marketing’ listings
The firm said homes initially listed privately sold faster and for a higher price, supporting its position that sellers should decide if or when to use the MLS.
February 21, 2025
RE/MAX looking to 'strengthen our swagger'
CEO Erik Carlson announced a $5.5 million deal to settle Canadian commissions cases and a profitable end to 2024. Now RE/MAX aims to stabilize U.S. agent count.
February 21, 2025
Under pressure from NAR, Phoenix Realtors cuts MLS Choice
The Arizona association had been facing the loss of its charter after offering a discounted, non-Realtor membership option that included MLS access.
Updated February 21, 2025
Listing off the MLS cost sellers more than $1B, study finds
The new analysis was done by Zillow, whose CEO said private listings “come at the expense of the seller” and are an attempt by some brokerages to “double dip.”
February 18, 2025
HUD faces massive staff cuts, while a lawsuit buys time for CFPB
The D.C. shakeup continues as Elon Musk’s DOGE team takes on HUD, looks to cut staff by half; the CFPB awaits a new director and retains funding — for now.
February 14, 2025
Lawsuits in DC as housing-related agencies close, rewrite rules
Union files two suits on behalf of CFPB employees told to stay home after DOGE accesses systems; new HUD director halts programs tied to “gender identity.”
February 10, 2025