Jeffrey  Barkstall

Jeffrey Barkstall

GRI, SRS

License #: 475.128819

Heartland Real Estate Of Central Illinois, Inc.

Mobile:
217.637.0374
Office:
217.352.4288 ext. 54
Email Me

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Keller Williams Reaches $20 Million Settlement in Batton Case

USA Real Estate News-RISMedia - Mon, 2026-02-02 20:01

Keller Williams Realty, LLC has agreed to pay $20 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by homebuyers alleging a decades-long conspiracy to fix real estate broker commissions and inflate home prices, according to court documents filed Feb. 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The settlement provides monetary compensation…

The post Keller Williams Reaches $20 Million Settlement in Batton Case appeared first on RISMedia.

Keller Williams settles Batton commission lawsuit for $20M

USA Real Estate News-Inman - Mon, 2026-02-02 20:00
The Batton cases are among those filed by homebuyers and have remained in litigation, even as suits from homesellers wound down.

Why secondary markets are America’s real real estate story

USA Real Estate News-Inman - Mon, 2026-02-02 16:56
Those who understand emerging markets will be the ones clients trust, Blake O'Shaughnessy writes, while those focused only on legacy luxury markets risk missing where demand is actually forming.

Real estate is still a people business. Your community matters more than ever

USA Real Estate News-Inman - Mon, 2026-02-02 16:01
Broker and Inman Ambassador Dina Williams shares her thoughts on why community is what shapes life, business and the industry that she loves.

Report: $10M-Plus U.S. Home Sales Accelerate to More Than $38B Beyond Top Metros

USA Real Estate News-RISMedia - Mon, 2026-02-02 15:45

Compass has released its 2025 Ultra-Luxury Report, which examines U.S. home sales of $10 million and above across 84 markets. The findings point to a re-acceleration of ultra-luxury housing, driven by resurgent public and private financial markets.  Across the markets analyzed, 2,261 homes sold for $10 million or more, collectively generating $38.63 billion in sales,…

The post Report: $10M-Plus U.S. Home Sales Accelerate to More Than $38B Beyond Top Metros appeared first on RISMedia.

Report: $10M-Plus U.S. Home Sales Re-Accelerate to More Than $38B Beyond Top Metros

USA Real Estate News-RISMedia - Mon, 2026-02-02 15:45

Compass has released its 2025 Ultra-Luxury Report, which examines U.S. home sales of $10 million and above across 84 markets. The findings point to a re-acceleration of ultra-luxury housing, driven by resurgent public and private financial markets.  Across the markets analyzed, 2,261 homes sold for $10 million or more, collectively generating $38.63 billion in sales,…

The post Report: $10M-Plus U.S. Home Sales Re-Accelerate to More Than $38B Beyond Top Metros appeared first on RISMedia.

Virtual vs. local assistant? You’re asking the wrong question

USA Real Estate News-Inman - Mon, 2026-02-02 14:38
Virtual assistants offer leverage. Local assistants protect your brand. Understanding the difference, Troy Palmquist writes, is what separates scalable agents from overwhelmed ones.

Fed Governor Predicts Three Rate Cuts to Come in 2026

USA Real Estate News-RISMedia - Mon, 2026-02-02 14:15

At the January Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, the Federal Reserve chose to keep interest rates unchanged. Recent monetary policy decisions have been facing conflicting incentives; the Fed’s mandate is maximum employment and price stability, but the labor market has been showing signs of weakness as inflation has also been going up or staying…

The post Fed Governor Predicts Three Rate Cuts to Come in 2026 appeared first on RISMedia.

A love letter to the small- to medium-size broker

USA Real Estate News-Inman - Mon, 2026-02-02 14:12
The industry needs hands-on boutique brokers more than ever before. Keith Robinson pays homage to their personal and professional value.

Bright MLS: Consumers Say Low Incomes, High Rates and Lack of Supply Remain Major Affordability Constraints

USA Real Estate News-RISMedia - Mon, 2026-02-02 14:06

Despite signs of housing market normalization on the horizon, many consumers still feel constrained by affordability challenges. Consumers report that lower incomes, higher mortgage rates and a lack of supply in the market remain their biggest hurdles to affording a home, according to Bright MLS’s latest consumer survey. The MLS’s latest survey of 3,000 Americans…

The post Bright MLS: Consumers Say Low Incomes, High Rates and Lack of Supply Remain Major Affordability Constraints appeared first on RISMedia.

IVRE Welcomes Tammie Kennedy as Franchise Business Consultant

USA Real Estate News-RISMedia - Mon, 2026-02-02 12:45

Above, Tammie Kennedy IVRE (Iron Valley Real Estate) has announced the addition of Tammie Kennedy as Franchise Business Consultant, further strengthening the company’s commitment to supporting franchise owners with proven, big-brokerage expertise. Kennedy brings more than 15 years of franchise consulting experience, having worked with franchise owners across multiple industries, including real estate, where she…

The post IVRE Welcomes Tammie Kennedy as Franchise Business Consultant appeared first on RISMedia.

Lofty Launches Industry’s First Agentic AI Operating System

USA Real Estate News-RISMedia - Mon, 2026-02-02 12:40

Lofty has announced the launch of Lofty AOS, the first agentic AI operating system for real estate professionals. Designed specifically for brokerage and their agents, Lofty AOS is built to autonomously plan and execute entire workflows, removing common barriers to AI adoption and shifting how real estate professionals leverage artificial intelligence in their businesses, according…

The post Lofty Launches Industry’s First Agentic AI Operating System appeared first on RISMedia.

EXp’s Wendy Forsythe talks AI and why 2026 is a ‘reset’ year

USA Real Estate News-Inman - Mon, 2026-02-02 12:00
Ahead of Inman Connect New York, EXp Chief Marketing Officer Wendy Forsythe dished on AI, building a strong company culture amid chaos and how to reset after a difficult year.

President Trump argues for keeping home prices high, borrowing costs low

USA Real Estate News-Inman - Mon, 2026-02-02 11:33
The president argued that lowering home prices would cut into Americans' wealth gains, and stressed that lowering interest rates would help homebuyers struggling with affordability.
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