Thu.May 01, 2025

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Agents share dueling opinions on off-market listings

Housing Wire

Industry debate around off-market listings or pocket listings has become increasingly heated. For some agents , these private transactions are tools of exclusivity and strategy. For others, theyre a disservice to sellers and a potential breach of fiduciary duty. Four agents with strong opinions; Isom Coleman in Sacramento, Calif.; Kevin Dombrowski in Arlington Heights, Ill.; Jaymes Willoughby in Austin, Texas; and Jovanka Novakovic in Chicago, offered contrasting views on the practice.

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Convert Your Garage Into a Living Space: A Garage Makeover Guide

Redfin

For most homeowners, a garage is a place to store cars, tools, or function as the “catch-all” for anything thats not currently in your home. However, with a little imagination and added preparation, it’s possible to transform a garage into a usable space for far more than just storage. And, if you’re looking to add a little extra living space , finishing an underused garage into a bonus room is a great option to maximize the square footage of your home.

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Buyer questionnaire: The best questions to ask your clients (+PDF)

Housing Wire

Youve set an appointment with a new potential buyer client – congrats! But, now what? Successful agents send a real estate buyer questionnaire to all buyer leads. This will not only save you time in the future, but it will also position you as a professional. Since youll be guiding them through the homebuying process, using a buyer questionnaire starts the client relationship off on the right foot.

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Portland Rental Market Update April 2025

The Living Room

Find out what’s happening in the Portland rental market for early April 2025. Hi everyone, Coty Thurman here from Living Room Property Management, bringing you a quick update on the single-family rental market in the Portland Metro region. Are Rents Going Up? Yes. Zillow’s March 2025 report shows national rents are up 3.5% from last year, averaging just over $2,005.

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Welcome to the Future of Hospitality: Smart Rooms Start Here

Speaker: Jady West, VP of Hospitality & Chris Bennett, Head of Sales & Engineering

The modern hotel room is no longer just a place to stay—it’s an experience to remember. Today’s guests expect seamless 5G connectivity, personalized comfort, and high-tech convenience. From AI-powered smart room controls to in-room entertainment and app-based services, technology is redefining hospitality from the inside out. In this new session featuring industry pros Jady West and Chris Bennett, we’ll explore how high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity powers the innovations that are enabling

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Precision partners: How AI and human expertise are elevating lending excellence

Housing Wire

Artificial intelligence has moved from a buzzword to boardroom priority in lending. After years of hype and speculation, we’re finally seeing real transformation in how loans are processed, underwritten, and serviced. What’s most fascinating isn’t just the technology itself but the emerging pattern of success: the institutions making the greatest strides aren’t those attempting to replace human judgment with algorithms, but those finding the sweet spot where AI and expert

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New York Times relights the fuse on NAR settlement, cooperative compensation

Housing Wire

The real estate industry and The New York Times have not been on good terms for a while now. Although the mutual disdain began with the Times 2023 expose of alleged widespread sexual harassment and a culture of fear at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), things really began to heat up with the Times coverage of the commission lawsuits. With that backdrop, it’s not surprising that many industry professionals were up in arms about a recent episode of “The Daily” podcast f

MLS
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Victorian Office Building

The Living Room

Commercial Space with Victorian Charm 5525 E. Burnside St, | Portland, OR 97215 Offered at $550,000 | MLS #246801142 4 Bedrooms | 1.1 Bath | 1,839 sq. ft. GRM: 12.03 | Cap Rate: 5.12 This exceptionally charming Victorian office building is perfect for your business! The warm and inviting lobby features original unpainted millwork, architectural glass, and vintage light fixtures and is a fantastic way to welcome clients.

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eXp Realty launches agent co-sponsor program

Housing Wire

eXp Realty has launched an initiative that allows agents to name both a primary and secondary mentor, formalizing a shared leadership model that aims to improve agent support, retention and development. The co-sponsor program, officially unveiled at eXp s EXPCON conference in Montreal, Canada , allows new agents and commercial advisers to designate a primary sponsor a longtime element of eXps model and a co-sponsor who contributes to their early success.

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How to Remove Popcorn Ceilings: Pro Tips You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

Redfin

Popcorn ceilingsalso known as acoustic or cottage cheese ceilingswere once a popular choice for homes due to their ability to hide imperfections and absorb sound. But today, many homeowners want a cleaner, more modern look. In this Redfin article, well guide you through how to remove popcorn ceilings step-by-stepwhether you’re tackling the texture in a house in Portland, OR , or updating a home in Tampa, FL.

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The 2025 Real Estate Roadmap to Success

Don’t just react to changes, plan for them, so you can approach the new year with confidence, direction, and a competitive edge for your business. Having a well-defined business plan helps you chart a clear course, navigate challenges, and set a foundation for growth. This workbook gives you the key steps to outline what matters and will ensure you’re moving ahead.

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Coldwell Banker Realty expands agent transaction support

Housing Wire

Coldwell Banker Realty has launched a national rollout of its Transaction Concierge program, a back-office support system designed to assist real estate agents with administrative tasks during the homebuying process. The program provides Coldwell Banker-affiliated agents with access to in-house employees, called Client Experience Specialists, who manage non-licensed duties from the time a property goes under contract until the deal closes.

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Home Essentials List: 100 Items You Need to Buy Before Moving In

Redfin

Moving into your first home and being a first-time homebuyer is a huge milestoneequal parts exciting and overwhelming. As the boxes stack up and the keys finally land in your hand, one question inevitably follows: What do I actually need to live here comfortably? Thats where a well-planned home essentials list comes in. Whether you’re moving into a spacious starter home in Reston, VA , a cozy apartment in Rocky Mount, NC, or a new rental house in San Antonio, TX , our room-by-room checklis

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Movement to settle dramatic legal battle with Summit

Housing Wire

Movement Mortgage , a top-25 U.S. mortgage lender, is close to resolving a two-year legal battle with rival Summit Funding , its founder and president Todd Scrima, and several former employees who transitioned to the competitor. The case, which involved allegations of employee poaching, misappropriation of trade secrets and corporate espionage, has now reached a settlement but details are still pending, according to court filings.

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The Economics of Safety

AAOA

In the competitive realm of property management, ensuring resident reliability is crucial for maintaining profitability and safeguarding investments. Implementing thorough verification processes can significantly reduce the risk of costly leasing mistakes, such as property damage, missed rent payments, and evictions. The Financial Impact of Inadequate Resident Screening Failing to properly screen residents can lead to substantial financial losses.

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Avoiding Lease Accounting Pitfalls in 2025: Lessons Learned from Spreadsheet Errors

Speaker: Abdi Ali, Sr. Lease Accounting Consultant

Join this insightful webinar with industry expert Abdi Ali, who will discuss the challenges that can arise from managing lease accounting with spreadsheets! He will share real-world examples of errors, compliance issues, and risks that may be present within your spreadsheets. Learn how these tools, while useful, can sometimes lead to inefficiencies that affect your time, resources, and peace of mind.

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Late Spring Home Maintenance Checklist: What To Know Before the Summer Heat Hits

RIS Media

As spring’s fresh blooms make way for summer’s steamy days, late spring is the perfect time to ensure your home is ready for the hotter temperatures ahead. Getting ahead of your summer maintenance tasks means you can prevent costly repairs often associated with letting maintenance tasks fall down on the to-do list. Here are some… The post Late Spring Home Maintenance Checklist: What To Know Before the Summer Heat Hits appeared first on RISMedia.

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7 Most Affordable Places to Live in New Jersey in 2025

Redfin

Located close to major cities like New York City and Philadelphia , coastal spots like the Jersey Shore, to landscapes like the Pine Barrens and the Delaware Water Gap, there are plenty of reasons to consider making the move to New Jersey. If New Jersey sounds right for you, then chances are you have a budget youd like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home.

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Easy Ways to Storm-Proof Your Home Before Summer Storm Season

RIS Media

Summer’s steamy temperatures also come with the risk of severe storms. Summer storms can bring heavy rain, strong winds, hail and even hurricanes in some regions. Preparing your home for storm season is vital to protecting your property and potentially avoiding costly damage. Here are some easy fixes to storm-proof your home before any potential… The post Easy Ways to Storm-Proof Your Home Before Summer Storm Season appeared first on RISMedia.

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11 Most Affordable Places to Live in Michigan in 2025

Redfin

With the sparkling Great Lakes, the lower peninsulas Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the upper peninsulas Hiawatha National Forest, there are plenty of reasons to love living in Michigan. If youre considering residing in Michigan, then chances are you have a budget youd like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home. As of April, the median home sale price in Michigan is $249,100.

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Driving Profit: 4 Pillars for Growing Your Real Estate Brokerage

In the rapidly changing real estate landscape, achieving profitability requires a strategic approach beyond traditional methods. Our guide, "The 4 Pillars to Brokerage Profitability," outlines four essential pillars for scaling your real estate business: a seamless lead-to-close technology ecosystem, tailored integrated solutions for teams and agents, value-added success services and community support, and consumer-centric operations throughout the full homeownership lifecycle.

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A ‘herky jerky’ start to the spring buyer season isn’t deterring agents

Inman

Economic anxiety and rising mortgage rates curbed hopes of a robust spring, but economists tell Inman a strong new-home market offers a sliver of hope that the coming months will be better.

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Smart Summer Upgrades to Enhance Your Home

RIS Media

Summer is an ideal time to invest in certain smart home upgrades. Upgrades, such as solar power light paths, smart ceiling fans or misting systems, can help you live more comfortably in your home while enjoying summer’s longer days, slower pace and time outdoors. Making a few smart home upgrades to make your summer more… The post Smart Summer Upgrades to Enhance Your Home appeared first on RISMedia.

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4 charts that show why Florida’s housing markets are struggling

Housing Wire

Floridas housing markets were as hot as any after the COVID-19 pandemic began, but now theyre among the coldest. Stubbornly high mortgage rates, rapidly rising inventory and macroeconomic headwinds are impacting housing markets all over the country, but Florida is notable for both how far its fallen and how much its slumping. Here are four charts using Altos data that explain Floridas pandemic boom and current malaise.

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10 Most Affordable Places to Live in Nebraska in 2025

Redfin

With the vast and serene landscapes of the Great Plains combined with charming towns and welcoming communities, Nebraska is one of the many great states to live in the Midwest. So if youre considering moving to the state, then chances are you have a budget youd like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home. For example, the median home sale price in Nebraska is $288,800 as of April.

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Tech-Forward Strategies for Scaling Agent Efficiency & Accelerating Growth

As the real estate market evolves, technology has become essential for success. According to NAR, only 26% of agents feel their brokerage provides the necessary tech tools and, as a result, agents seek teams and brokerages who prioritize technology investments! Whether you manage an established team or are forming a new one, this guide outlines key considerations and necessary applications to thrive.

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Open House Success Tip: A Guide for the Best Refreshments

RIS Media

Making a variety of food options available is a thoughtful way to make an open house experience more enjoyable for those taking the tour, show off your attention to detail and create a positive impression with potential clients. But the occasion doesnt typically warrant a full-blown caterer either, so purchasing and displaying the snacks is… The post Open House Success Tip: A Guide for the Best Refreshments appeared first on RISMedia.

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5 Most Affordable Places to Live in Nevada in 2025

Redfin

The Silver State, Nevada, has world-class resorts, stunning natural wonders like Red Rock Canyon and Lake Tahoe, offering a unique blend of excitement and natural splendor to its residents. If youre considering living somewhere in Nevada then chances are you also have a budget youre hoping to stay under in your home or apartment search. As of April, the median home sale price in Nevada is $454,900.

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Just Listed! SIXTH QUADRANT SOPHISTICATE

The Living Room

7533 S. Corbett Ave. Portland, Oregon, 97219 A timeless, chic, three-level, early modernist home with an inviting aesthetic, giving a nod to San Francisco’s Marina Style architecture with its square-shouldered design, balconies and tuck-under tandem garage. The sunlit interior’s open space is designed for effortless flow from room to room and to the abundant greenery of the picturesque surroundings.

MLS
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HomeServices of America announces more executive changes

Housing Wire

Roughly two weeks after HomeServices of America announced that Chris Kelly was taking over as CEO from Gino Blefari, the firm is back with more C-suite changes. On Thursday, the firm announced the appointment of Alex Seavall to chief financial and operations officer, along with the appointment of Candace Adams as executive vice president of HomeServices of America, the role vacated by Kelly.

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The Broker Action Plan for the Post-NAR Lawsuit Landscape

Now more than ever, brokers need to provide agents with the right tools, strategies, and training to effectively demonstrate their expertise, negotiate successfully, and foster strong client relationships. So – what should brokers do to ensure this? Invest in the right technology, continuous education, and innovative marketing strategies that empower agents to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

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3+ Acre Fairytale Property in the City

The Living Room

Charming Tudor with Creek 7021 SE 122nd Dr., | Portland, OR 97236 Offered at $650,000 | RMLS # 598772383 2 Bedrooms + Den | 1 Bath | 2,293 sq. ft. This magical Storybook Tudor on 3.05 acres is a secret retreat in the city. Delight in driving down a quiet private road near the gorgeous Leach Botanical Garden and discovering your own bucolic wonderland with direct access to Johnson Creek.

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Mutual of Omaha reverse AE Kathy Martinez has died

Housing Wire

Kathleen Kathy Martinez, a reverse mortgage industry veteran and account executive who most recently served with Mutual of Omaha Mortgage s reverse division, died last week in her community in Florida. She was 60 years old. Martinezs career in the reverse mortgage industry goes back more than two decades and included time working for former industry leader Financial Freedom.

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Real-Time Video Chat Pioneers New Benefit to Home Warranty: Convenience

RIS Media

American Home Shield (AHS) is revolutionizing the home warranty experience with its latest feature: real-time video chat with an Expert, available as a benefit with select plans through the AHS app. Launched February 27, the groundbreaking tool allows members to connect directly with seasoned professionals in real-time for help with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, appliance and… The post Real-Time Video Chat Pioneers New Benefit to Home Warranty: Convenience appeared first on RISMedia.