Boston's hellish housing market could soon get even trickier to navigate.

Why it matters: Some real estate companies want to list homes on private networks, fueling fears that buyers might struggle to access them.

How it works: Right now, most homes for sale are widely viewable online and on multiple listing services (MLS), the databases brokers use.

• Some brokerages are pushing for more leeway to privately share listings with their agents and clients before advertising them publicly on the MLS.
• The National Association of Realtors is considering a rule change this month that could allow it, per HousingWire.

Between the lines: Homes sold outside the MLS typically went for nearly $5,000 less than those listed on the MLS, per a Zillow study analyzing sales over the past two years.

• Off-MLS listings often include ultra-luxury and celebrity properties, plus houses sold directly by owners or builders. (Zillow's research excludes new builds and home sales above $10 million, among other caveats.)

Zoom in: Homes in the Boston metro area typically sold for $26,500 less (4% lower) than those listed on the MLS in 2023 and 2024.

• In Massachusetts, homes sold off the MLS typically sold for $20,000 less (3.4% lower) than those on the MLS in 2023 and 2024.

What they're saying: Sellers should have "a choice of where, when, and how to advertise their home for sale," Robert Reffkin, CEO of Compass, one of the largest U.S. brokerages, tells Axios.

• Private listing advocates like Reffkin say the status quo hurts home values by making sellers reveal details such as price drops and time on the market.

Reality check: Some real estate experts and consumer advocates warn that moving listings to private networks could not only prevent sellers from getting top dollar, but also limit buyers' access to an already short supply of homes.

• Listing on the MLS gives "sellers exposure to a wide range of buyers and [provides] buyers access to a wide range of properties," Stephen Brobeck, senior fellow at the Consumer Policy Center, tells Axios.

Tell a friend who's looking to buy

The Trump administration is reviewing Harvard University's billions of dollars of federal funding over antisemitism allegations.

Why it matters: Some $8.7 billion in grants and $255.6 million in contracts are at stake for the Ivy League school and its affiliates.

Driving the news: The Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. General Services Administration announced the review yesterday, which will be conducted by the Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism.

• The task force could issue "stop work orders" for contracts, a statement from the agencies said.

Flashback: Harvard was one of dozens of sites of pro-Palestinian encampments last year following heated congressional testimony over antisemitism in 2023.

• The university in January settled a lawsuit with students claiming that Harvard allowed antisemitism on campus.
• Harvard has also faced federal probes pre-Trump over alleged antisemitism and Islamophobia since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
• A spokesperson for Harvard did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Context: The review is the latest example of the administration's crackdown on antisemitism and follows a similar probe at Columbia University, which ultimately conceded to some demands from the government to prevent over $400 million in cuts.

• The Trump administration's attacks on university funding — often on the basis of antisemitism or diversity, equity and inclusion programs — have prompted job cuts and could potentially undercut the U.S. as a research powerhouse.
• Harvard is among a list of 60 colleges and universities under investigation for allegations of antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

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🗳️ Real estate developer Tom O'Brien decided not to challenge Mayor Michelle Wu's reelection campaign. (BBJ)

👩🏻‍⚖️ Karen Read's retrial begins today with jury selection, a process that could take several days and hundreds of people, given the high-profile nature of the case. (Axios)

⚖️ A Boston Municipal Court judge held ICE agent Brian Sullivan in contempt for allegedly obstructing justice after agents arrested a man in the middle of his jury trial on Thursday. (Globe)

• The judge dismissed the case against Wilson Martell-Lebron, who was accused of providing false information on a license application.

☕️ Blank Street Coffee opened in Brookline, its sixth Boston-area location.

• Stop by on April 11 for $2 drinks as the location celebrates its grand opening.

🧀 Cardullo's Gourmet Shop, the Cambridge-based international food store, is opening at The Street Chestnut Hill next year.

🌮 El Barco, a Martha's Vineyard Mexican restaurant, is looking to replace the Summer Shack on Dalton Street, per RestaurantTalk.

❌ Render Coffee is calling it quits at its South End location. Its last day is Saturday, per RestaurantTalk.

👋🏼 Steph here. I stopped by Black Ruby, a new Cambridge Thai-inspired restaurant, to see how their lunch menu stacked up.

• Now I can tell you what not to get.

What I ordered: The thai garlic beef burger, which boasts a "Thai-style seasoned beef patty" with garlic cream sauce, sautéed mushrooms, carmelized onions, fried garlic and lettuce.

What I got: A barely-seasoned patty swimming in a saucy mess.

Don't get me wrong. It tasted good, but not $16 good. (Really, it's my fault for playing it safe.)

If you go: Get the chicksatay sandwich instead.

• For $16, you get grilled chicken marinated in coconut milk, shredded carrot, grilled red onions, pickles, cilantro and peanut sauce.

Other options I regret not ordering: The Tom Kha white sauce with grilled cod with spaghetti ($24) and the green curry cream sauce with grilled beef and rigatoni ($24).

• Maybe next time.