R
ealtor.com CEO Damian Eales urges the industry to abandon petty disputes and concentrate on the real obstacle: housing supply. As the new year looms, he calls for a unified commitment to secure homeownership for all Americans. The sector, built on problem‑solving, has lately been mired in debates over Clear Cooperation and private listings—issues that, while valid, distract from the larger crisis. Millions still chase the American Dream while the market shrinks.

    The numbers are stark. The U.S. needs 4 million more homes. Current inventory sits 12 % below pre‑pandemic levels, and prices have surged 66 % over the past decade. First‑time buyers are now, on average, 40 years old—a decade older than before—highlighting a steepening ladder. Politicians often lean toward demand‑side fixes like tax credits, but without increasing supply, such measures only intensify affordability woes. Supply is the real lever.

    Realtor.com is using its platform to spotlight these gaps, publishing state scorecards that pinpoint stalled progress. In 2024, the company will bring this message to SXSW, emphasizing that homeownership fuels generational wealth. Excluding the next generation is not just a missed sale; it deepens a lasting economic divide.

    Local action is where the industry can make tangible change. While federal lobbying continues, the real barriers lie in state and local legislation, city zoning, and township meetings. Brokers, agents, MLS leaders, and industry media are urged to shift from isolated debates to community leadership. They should push for modernized zoning, confront NIMBYism, and champion the “missing middle” of housing. By redirecting even a fraction of the sector’s energy toward local solutions, we can preserve the industry and provide homes for neighbors.

    In 2026, the call is clear: Let America Build. Damian Eales, CEO of Move, Inc. and Realtor.com since 2023, brings experience from News Corp Australia and New York, where he led global transformation initiatives.