Michael Lucarelli Named an Inman Power Player. Again.

Some leaders ride trends. Others help shape them.

Michael Lucarelli, CEO of RentSpree, has again been named to Inman’s 2026 Power Players list, one of the most respected honors in the residential real estate industry. The recognition places Michael among a select group of executives, founders, and innovators who are actively influencing where real estate is headed next.

Inman’s Power Players aren’t chosen for headlines alone. They’re recognized for impact, momentum, and the ability to move the industry forward across residential real estate, mortgage, finance, and proptech. Being named again signals more than a standout year. It reflects sustained leadership in a fast-moving, increasingly complex housing market.

“These Power Players represent the visionaries and changemakers who are defining what’s next for real estate,” said Emily Paquette, CEO of Inman. “Their leadership and innovation set the standard for excellence in our industry.”

Since co-founding RentSpree, Michael has been focused on a clear mission: modernizing the rental experience by making it more transparent, more efficient, and more trusted for everyone involved. Under his leadership, RentSpree has continued to scale both its platform and its ambition. The company last year crossed the four million user milestone, a reflection of growing adoption across agents, landlords, and renters nationwide.

Michael has also helped steer RentSpree into its next chapter of innovation. That includes the introduction of a new landlord banking product, expanding beyond screening and payments to support the full financial lifecycle of property owners. It’s a move that reflects his broader vision of building infrastructure, not just tools, for the rental economy.

What sets Michael apart is not only growth, but clarity of conviction. He has consistently pushed for rentals to be treated as a first-class citizen in real estate technology, championing MLS-native solutions, stronger data standards, and products that mirror how people actually live and rent today. That long-term perspective has positioned RentSpree at the center of industry conversations around affordability, access, and trust.

Inman describes its Power Players as the leaders defining what’s next for real estate. Michael’s continued inclusion on that list reinforces what many across the industry already recognize. Real leadership is not about chasing momentum. It’s about building it, year after year.