Taking a stand, transparency, Trump: Inman’s Top 5

Looking for a quick catch-up on the buzziest stories of the week? Here’s Inman Top 5, the most essential stories, according to Inman readers.

Ted Cruz aims to defund CFPB with implications for lender oversight

Although the agency was created by Democrats in an effort to protect consumers from abusive financial practices, it has continued to be viewed by Republicans as an unchecked power

Pending home sales decline 5.5% following months of growth

The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), which tracks contract signings as a measure of future home sales, fell 5.5 percent to 74.2 in December, according to data released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors.

Trending: Taking a deep dive into AI and algorithms

AI disruptors, evolving social media algorithms and new content formats are changing real estate marketing. Jessi Healey breaks down the latest trends and how agents can adapt to stay ahead.