‘A Big Problem’: For Women Brokers, Becoming A Mom Often Means Lost Pay, Clients

January 7, 2026 / no comments

Maternity benefits in many commercial real estate companies have improved, but women in the brokerage business often face the stark reality of missing out on income or even losing clients when they have children.
While many commercial real estate firms and brokerages offer maternity and paternity leave for staff that measure up with the traditional benefits packages found in corporate America, brokers find themselves in a challenging position due to their status as independent contractors. 
“Because most brokers are 1099, when they’re not working, they’re not earning,” said Allison Weiss, CEO of CRE Recruiting. “Their clients are at risk of being poached…

SEC Charges Real Estate Execs With $372M Ponzi Scheme

January 6, 2026 / no comments

The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged the senior leadership team of a financial planning company based in Alpharetta, Georgia, for carrying out a four-year Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars. 
Drive Planning’s former chief operating officer, David Bradford, and former Indiana branch head, Gerardo Linarducci, received civil charges Dec. 19 from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia. Founder and CEO Russell Todd Burkhalter has been named in connection. The SEC is seeking permanent injunctions, civil penalties and disgorgement with prejudgement interest, which means the accused would have to pay back the money plus interest.
Drive Planning’s…

Top agent Lindsay Barton Barrett exits Douglas Elliman for Compass

January 6, 2026 / no comments

One of Douglas Elliman’s biggest brokers in Brooklyn is returning to Compass.  Lindsay Barton Barrett, known for brokering some of the borough’s priciest deals, is exiting Elliman after seven years to join Compass, where she was previously an agent. Joining her at Compass are her four team members, including Kaitlin McGlynn, Taylor Schultz and Christopher Mohr.  “It really feels like a homecoming,” Barrett said. “It’s a different world from when I left.” Under the Compass banner, Barrett said she plans to add more agents to her team, which also represents listings in Downtown Manhattan.   “While I’ve always had a super […]

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