Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

On this week’s episode of the RealTrending podcast , host Tracey Velt sits down with Craig McClelland — chief strategy officer at HomeStory and president of LOCAL Realty — for a forward-looking conversation about the shifting landscape of real estate. McClelland emphasizes the growing necessity of consumer-first strategies. He also highlights how major players like Zillow and Rocket Mortgage are pushing the industry toward new tech-driven models that challenge traditional brokerage structures.

Brokerage

Redfin

AUGUST 6, 2025

If you’ve ever been involved in a real estate transaction – or just watched a few episodes of a homebuying show – you’ve probably heard someone say, “We’re in escrow.” But what does that actually mean? In real estate, “in escrow” refers to a specific phase of the homebuying process when a neutral third party temporarily holds important funds and documents while the buyer and seller work toward finalizing the sale.

Earnest money deposit

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

Now that mortgage rates have reached a year-to-date low of 6.57%, the question remains: is this low enough to attract more homebuyers, or do we need rates to drop to 6%? I’ve frequently mentioned the significance of the 6% mark, so let me explain. In 2022, we experienced the most significant decline in home sales ever when mortgage rates soared from 3% to 7%.

Mortgages

Redfin

AUGUST 6, 2025

Selling your home ? Smart preparation leads to a smoother sale, stronger offers, and fewer surprises during closing. In this Redfin Real Estate article , we’ll break down the 12 essential things to do before selling your house, including what agents look for, how to appeal to buyers, and what can directly impact your home’s market value. 12 things to do before selling your home: A checklist 1.

Staging

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

Technology

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

Finance of America (FOA) continued its recent streak of growth in the second quarter of 2025, funding $602 million in mortgages and producing $80 million in net income. FOA , one of the nation’s leading reverse mortgage lenders, exceeded the top end of its stated quarterly guidance for investors as the $602 million in volume from April through June was up 7% from the prior quarter and 35% higher than the same period last year.

Equity

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

Boston-based Hometap announced at the end of July that it has deployed more than $2 billion to 20,000-plus homeowners through its home equity investment (HEI) platform. The milestone comes less than 18 months after Hometap achieved $1 billion in home equity investments — a reflection of rising demand for alternative financing solutions. “This milestone reflects meaningful progress toward our mission to make homeownership less stressful and more accessible.

Equity

Redfin

AUGUST 6, 2025

Amongst all the excitement and anticipation that comes with buying a home, it’s important to keep a realistic timeline of just how long it takes to purchase a house. The truth is, the timeline for buying a house can vary due to a number of factors like financing needs, if it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market, the time of year, and the type of home you’re searching for.

Pre-approval

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

Americans are still drawn to major cities — despite rising living costs and urban congestion. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 migration trends report shows the popularity of migration pathways such as New York City to Los Angeles, San Francisco to Austin, Texas, and Charlotte to Chicago — highlighting persistent interest in urban living, despite financial and climate considerations.

Land

Inman

AUGUST 6, 2025

Fire doesn’t just destroy structures, Chris Drayer writes. It changes markets and careers, and if we’re not paying attention, it will burn us.

Marketing

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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.

Development

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

Showcase Real Estate — a Yuba City, California-based brokerage — has joined The Real Brokerage under its private-label program. Led by broker-owner Donna Phelan, Showcase Real Estate brings 45 agents to Real, expanding the firm’s presence across a seven-county region in Northern California. Since 2018, Showcase has closed more than 2,170 transactions totaling $826 million in sales volume, including $115 million across 267 deals in the past year alone.

Brokerage

Inman

AUGUST 6, 2025

Whether you’re a solo agent building your brand, a team leader scaling your operations or a broker expanding your vision, these five keys from Julia Lashay Israel form the foundation of lasting success.

Branding

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty has added Tanya Fuchs and Valerie Rosenblatt to its team. Fuchs joins the company as a licensed associate real estate broker. She grew up on Long Island’s South Shore and now lives year-round on Fire Island — where she plans to focus her business. “Fire Island is a truly special place, and I’m committed to helping buyers and sellers navigate its unique real estate landscape,” Fuchs said.

Agents

Seattle Times Real Estate

AUGUST 6, 2025

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Technology

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.

Industrial

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

Zillow ’s critics may say that the company has never had the best interests of real estate agents at heart. But on the company’s second-quarter 2025 earnings call on Wednesday night, executives looked to set the record straight.  “As we work to streamline residential real estate transactions with our ‘Housing Super App,’ everything we build is designed to offer a benefit for both consumers and the industry,” Zillow CEO Jeremy Wacksman said during the call.

Agents

HomeLight

AUGUST 6, 2025

Selling a home can feel like a race on a tightrope. You’re trying to move quickly while maintaining your balance on everything from finances to moving trucks. Even after you accept an offer, the finish line isn’t quite in sight. So what can you expect in the final stretch of the house closing process for sellers? We spoke with Jennifer Hupke , a top-rated real estate agent in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who sells homes nearly 60% faster than the average local agent.

Closing

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

As Opendoor looks forward on its path to profitability, the iBuyer is looking to leverage agent relationships to expand its business. A day after discussing this strategic shift during the firm’s second-quarter 2025 earnings call with investors and analysts, Opendoor has announced a partnership with the Jason Mitchell Group (JMG) a powerhouse real estate referral brokerage.

Brokerage

Inman

AUGUST 6, 2025

Don't fear having this conversation with your frustrated sellers, coach Darryl Davis writes. Putting it off too long costs your clients time, money and momentum.

Days on market

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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.

Agents

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

There is nothing more excruciating to a title agency owner than the uncertainty engendered by a chaotic and unpredictable economic environment. Welcome to 2025, where continued economic volatility and the prospect of a recession continue to exert their impact on real estate markets. On the upside, employment numbers have remained steady, and housing inventory has begun to normalize at four months’ supply, offering hope for a strong buy/sell season before year’s end.

Title

Inman

AUGUST 6, 2025

The National Association of Realtors released its 2024 Member Profile on Wednesday, which revealed that its typical member earned a median gross income of $58,100 — up from $55,800 in 2023.

Marketing

Housing Wire

AUGUST 6, 2025

The Banner Team — one of the highest-performing real estate groups in the Washington, D.C., metro area — has joined Compass. Led by principal agent Wendy Banner, the 13-agent team brings more than 100 years of combined experience and $2.03 billion in career sales to Compass. The group most recently held the top spot at Long & Foster for gross commission income in the DMV region (D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia) in 2024.

Principal

Real Estate News

AUGUST 6, 2025

Skip to Content Agents Brokerages MLS/Assn Tech Industry By the Numbers Consumer Illustration by Real Estate News/Shutterstock MLS/Assn Fewer younger agents holding on amid market headwinds  The typical NAR member is older and has more experience than a year ago, while median transaction volume held steady despite the slow market. AJ LaTrace August 6, 2025 3 mins Key points: The typical NAR member is a bit older and has more experience than last year, according to the association’s 2025 Member P

Agents

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Navigated 360° tours, like YourVRTours, advance pipelines by engaging clients further along the sales funnel. These immersive experiences provide comprehensive property insights, increasing buyer intent and readiness. By embracing navigated tours, agents can optimize property exposure, better qualify leads, and streamline the sales process. Stay ahead in the ever-evolving real estate landscape with innovative technology that elevates buyer journeys and progresses pipelines more effectively.

Sales

Redfin

AUGUST 6, 2025

One of the biggest questions homeowners ask is: When should I sell my house? While you can’t control the market entirely, you can look for clear signals in both your personal life and local housing trends. In this Redfin real estate guide , we’ll explore the key signs that it may be the right time to sell your home. Personal signs it’s time to sell 1.

Equity

Real Estate News

AUGUST 6, 2025

Skip to Content Agents Brokerages MLS/Assn Tech Industry By the Numbers Consumer Illustration by Lanette Behiry/Real Estate News Industry Agent-buyer connections driving Zillow’s mortgage growth  Overall revenue beat expectations — again — jumping 15% in the second quarter, thanks in large part to big gains in rentals and home loans. Dave Gallagher August 6, 2025 4 mins While Zillow's core residential business is still going strong, significant growth in its other sectors is continuing to d

Agents

Calculated Risk Real Estate

AUGUST 6, 2025

Another monthly update on rents. Tracking rents is important for understanding the dynamics of the housing market. Slower household formation and increased supply (more multi-family completions) has kept asking rents under pressure for the last few years. More recently, immigration policy has become a negative for rentals. Apartment List: Asking Rent Growth -0.8% Year-over-year From ApartmentList.com: Apartment List National Rent Report Rents are flat month-over-month, down 0.8% year-over-year T

Principal

HomeLight

AUGUST 6, 2025

Buying a home in Ohio? Estimate property taxes with our Ohio property tax calculator and learn about exemptions, due dates, and housing costs.

Speaker: Sarah Santa Ana, Real Estate Coach, Move4Free Realty

Networking is one of the crucial elements in every real estate organization's success. Both agents and real estate companies need to maintain robust networking links. This is why social media is essential for any real estate professional! Social media enables you to stay in touch with your present clients, maintain connections with your past clients, and engage potential customers and investors.

Agents

Redfin

AUGUST 6, 2025

Imagine owning a home and having someone else help pay your mortgage. Among younger generations, many of whom see homeownership as simply a pipe dream, this sounds almost too good to be true. Housing is the largest expense for most Americans, after all, and it’s become more expensive than ever. But some resourceful buyers have been able to spend less and even live for free in their own home.

VA loan

Keeping Current Matters

AUGUST 6, 2025

Start a Free Trial Login Book A Demo Real Estate Blog Membership Overview KCM Local RealTalk by KCM™ Daily Blog Posts Social Graphics Email & Newsletter Builder Videos Buyer & Seller Guides Market Reports & Visuals Pricing Must-Share Content Real Estate Blog Login Book A Demo Start a Free Trial Menu Menu English Español AGENTS: Did you know you can share a personalized version of this post?

Investor

Redfin

AUGUST 6, 2025

Key takeaways: Pools can add value, but it varies widely based on location , climate , pool type , materials , and neighborhood norms. Pool installation costs range from $50,000 to $100,000+, while annual maintenance averages $1,200 to $1,800. Inground pools generally increase home value more than above-ground pools , which add little to no resale value.

Equity