Opendoor's new chairman wants to slash 85% of ‘bloated' workforce: ‘I don't know what most of them do'

Core Insights - Opendoor's new chairman Keith Rabois criticized the company as "bloated" and plans to reduce its workforce by up to 85%, from 1,400 employees to around 200 [1][5][7] - Rabois returned to Opendoor following the appointment of new CEO Kaz Nejatian, who replaced Carrie Wheeler after a pressure campaign led by Rabois and hedge fund manager Eric Jackson [2][3] - Opendoor's stock has seen significant volatility, surging over sixfold since June but facing investor unrest due to declining home acquisitions and lack of a clear turnaround strategy [3][4] Company Operations - Opendoor operates as an "iBuyer," providing homeowners with instant cash offers for their properties, bypassing traditional listing processes [8][10] - The company has expanded its services to include mortgage lending, title, escrow, and warranties, aiming to capture more transaction value [10] - Opendoor utilizes proprietary algorithms and AI for home pricing and risk management, making data central to its operational strategy [11] Financial Performance - Following Rabois's return and Nejatian's appointment, Opendoor's shares soared 78% but then dropped over 12% the following day [4] - Despite recent fluctuations, Opendoor's stock remains up nearly 500% in 2025 [7] - The average total compensation at Opendoor is reported to be $287,000, with salaries for software engineers ranging from $180,000 to $728,000 [11][12]