Wed.Jun 18, 2025

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Class Valuation unveils appraisal review tool

Housing Wire

Class Valuation has launched a new appraisal review product designed to bring greater clarity and oversight to residential valuations. The new tool, Class Valuation Analysis (CVA), offers licensed appraiser-led reviews of existing appraisal reports by incorporating automated valuation model (AVM) technology. “In today’s market, uncertainty is expensive, and lenders can’t afford to second-guess their valuation data,” John Fraas , CEO of Class Valuation, said in a statement.

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Why More Sellers Are Choosing To Move, Even with Today’s Rates

Keeping Current Matters

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Conversational marketing is the new pipeline: How AI is redefining intent in real estate

Housing Wire

Conventional marketing is on life support; bloated email blasts, generic landing pages, lead forms no one fills out. They’re not just outdated. They’re invisible to the modern consumer. Today, people crave relevance, not reach. They want conversations, not campaigns. That’s where conversational marketing steps in. It’s not about shouting louder.

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Do You Really Need a Condo Inspection? A Complete Guide for Buyers

Redfin

Yes, a condo inspection is a crucial step in protecting yourself from unexpected repairs and hidden liabilities inside your home. Buying a condo can be a smart investment—offering lower maintenance and access to shared amenities without the upkeep of a single-family home. But assuming the homeowners association (HOA) covers everything could leave you vulnerable to unexpected repairs and hidden liabilities inside your unit.

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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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Lone Wolf, Follow Up Boss integrate platforms

Housing Wire

Real estate software provider Lone Wolf Technologies is launching an integration with Zillow -owned customer relationship management system Follow Up Boss as it aims to connect transaction, marketing and accounting tools in one system. Follow Up Boss will be linked with Lone Wolf’s Foundation platform, which includes products such as Boost for digital advertising, Cloud CMA for presentations, Transact for transaction management, and Back Office for accounting and payroll.

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Homebuilders have no motivation to grow permits with 7% rates

Housing Wire

Even though new home sales showed growth last month, the homebuilders — both big and small — have no desire to grow housing permits or starts with 7% mortgage rates. Housing starts and permits peaked in 2022 and have been fluctuating at levels similar to the early stages of the COVID-19 recession for some time now. The housing construction cycle reached its peak in 2022, unless mortgage rates decrease.

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What are transfer taxes? Everything homebuyers and sellers should know

Redfin

Transfer taxes are one-time fees that can add thousands to a real estate deal, depending on your location. Whether you’re purchasing a brownstone in Brooklyn, NY , or selling a ranch-style home in Tucson, AZ , understanding how transfer taxes work can help you avoid unexpected costs and negotiate smarter. In this Redfin guide, we’ll break down what transfer taxes are, who pays them, how much they cost, and how they vary by state and situation.

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Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate expands in Michigan

Housing Wire

Birmingham, Michigan-based brokerage @properties REMI Christie’s International Real Estate is opening its 10th office in the state in July by expanding into the lakeside resort town of Traverse City. The brokerage was launched in 2021 by Detroit -area natives Eric Walstrom and Alex Irrer, and it has grown from an initial operation of two offices. Leading the new Traverse City office is longtime area agent Molly Buttleman, who recently joined the firm from Coldwell Banker.

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How to Sell Land

Redfin

To sell land successfully, you need to price it correctly, prepare the property, list it on land-specific platforms, and market it to the right buyer type, such as developers, builders, or private individuals. Working with a land-specialized agent and offering flexible terms like seller financing can also help you close the deal faster. But standing out in today’s market means going beyond the basics.

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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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Bayview to buy Guild for $1.3B in cash, taking lender private

Housing Wire

A fund owned by Bayview Asset Management will acquire all outstanding shares of Guild Holdings Company ’s common stock — excluding those it already owns — for $1.3 billion in cash, the companies announced on Wednesday. The deal will result in Guild exiting the public markets and becoming a private entity, operating independently but in partnership with Bayview’s servicing company, Lakeview Loan Servicing.

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Hoarding in Housing: What Every New Team Member Should Know

AAOA

Introducing new staff to the realities of property management goes beyond reviewing lease terms and daily operations. It includes preparing them to handle complex resident situations that require sound judgment, legal understanding, and compassion. One of these situations is hoarding—a condition that presents both health and safety risks and the need for careful compliance with fair housing laws.

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Are settlement rules pushing down agent commissions? New survey says the opposite

Housing Wire

Few events in recent real estate history have rattled the industry more than the antitrust lawsuits filed against major brokerages and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), accusing them of artificially inflating agent commission rates. NAR settled the Sitzer-Burnett case for $418 million and agreed to rules that the plaintiffs believed would help bring down commission rates — primarily by removing blanket offers of compensation to buyer brokers on NAR-affiliated MLSs.

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10 States with the Most Vacant Homes in 2025

BAM Media

Home buyers are still battling high prices and tight inventory. So why are 1 in 10 homes in the U.S. sitting vacant? According to a new study by Highland Cabinetry , which analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Realtor.com, more than 16 million properties across the U.S. are sitting empty. That’s roughly 10% of the nation’s housing stock—a stat that deserves a closer look, especially when affordability and low inventory are still dominating headlines.

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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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Selling Your House over Asking Price Isn’t a Given Anymore—Here’s How to Improve Your Odds

Lighter Side of Real Estate

When you list your home for sale, it’s natural to imagine a flurry of activity—streams of buyers coming through the door within hours, multiple offers rolling in, and a bidding war that pushes the price well above asking. For many sellers in recent years, that wasn’t just wishful thinking—it was reality. So if you’re preparing to list, it’s completely understandable if you expect the same.

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What Most Agents Miss When Prospecting for Luxury Listings

BAM Media

In a recent episode of our Stay Paid podcast, I got this question from one of our listeners, Claudelle: “I feel like I’m missing a step and can’t get the high-end listings others seem to get so easily. What’s missing from my prospecting?” Claudelle is a real estate agent from Arizona, and her question hits a nerve for a lot of agents trying to break into the luxury market.

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How Keller Williams Supports New Agents in Year One

Keller Williams

When you finished your real estate agent training, did you have that “now what” feeling? If so, you’re not alone. There’s a lot to process in the beginning of your career. At Keller Williams, first-year agents don’t have to experience that “now what” feeling for long. That’s because KW and local market centers offers critical tools and training that help new agents advance from day one.

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Moraga: Schools & Stability

Luxury Real Estate Blog

Moraga, California, stands out in the East Bay for its community-centered atmosphere and highly rated public schools. For buyers and sellers alike, school performance is often one of the strongest factors influencing long-term property value. Homes located within respected school zones tend to sell faster and for higher prices. Whether you're investing, purchasing your first home, or preparing to sell, understanding Moraga’s educational strengths can shape your real estate strategy.

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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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What’s Hiding in Your Home’s Past? Your Guide to a House History Search

Redfin

If walls could talk, what stories would they tell about the history of your house? Maybe the neighbors in your Chicago apartment never stopped sharing tales about the mysterious former resident in 221B, or perhaps you’re still convinced your rental house in Seattle was haunted. Before buying a house in Marysville, WA , a house history search can help you uncover everything from interesting histories to specific property information.

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When Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Seattle?

HomeLight

If you’re getting ready to sell your home in Seattle, you’re probably hoping to make a strong sale — whether that means getting the best price or finding a buyer quickly. Working with a top local agent and prepping your home are both important, but the timing of your listing can also play a big role in the outcome of your sale. To determine the best time to sell a house in Seattle, we spoke with Hao Dang , a HomeLight Elite Agent who works with 76% more single-family homes than most

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Rithm closes non-QM securitization, issues $500M debt offering

Housing Wire

Rithm Capital announced this week the closing of a $504 million securitization backed by nonqualified mortgages ( non-QMs ) serviced by its subsidiary Newrez , along with the issuance of $500 million in debt. In 2025, Rithm closed three securitizations of non-QM loans — a product that has gained popularity amid a challenging mortgage market. Non-QM loans are for borrowers who do not have traditional income sources, such as self-employed individuals, freelancers and gig workers.

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People on the Move: HomeServices taps brokerage leader for VP role

Real Estate News

Skip to Content Agents Brokerages MLS/Assn Tech Industry By the Numbers Consumer Illustration by Lanette Behiry/Real Estate News Industry People on the Move: HomeServices taps brokerage leader for VP role Long Realty CEO Renee Gonzales has been named vice president of Core Services Integrations at HomeServices. Plus, NMB adds chief culture officer.

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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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Global equity release market projected to top $56B by 2035

Housing Wire

Equity release — a class of financial products that involve unlocking home equity and converting it into cash flow — currently has global annual volume of roughly $17 billion. This class includes reverse mortgage products in the U.S., the United Kingdom and elsewhere, but a European equity release authority projects that volume will more than triple over the next 10 years.

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17 Essential Landing Page Tips Every Real Estate Website Needs

Jason Fox

17 Essential Landing Page Tips Every Real Estate Website Needs Want more leads from your real estate website? These 17 landing page tips will help you drive conversions with smarter design, copy, and mobile UX.

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4 Top Estate Sale Companies in Washington DC

HomeLight

If you’re searching for estate sale companies in Washington, D.C., it may be during a time of transition — whether following the passing of a loved one, a major life change, or the need to relocate a family member. Sorting through a home full of memories can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. In this guide, we share information about trusted estate sale companies in D.C., including how they work, what to expect, and what you might earn from a sale.

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Sellers leave money on the table with privately sold listings

Inman

The data doesn’t lie: For the vast majority of sellers, the most effective and profitable way to sell a home is to list it publicly on the MLS, Windermere economist Jeff Tucker writes.

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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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Housing Starts Plunge 9.8% in May, Hitting Five-Year Low

RIS Media

Housing starts fell significantly in May, as the residential construction sector continued to grapple with high material costs, persistent labor shortages and slowing demand from homebuyers. In the latest report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, new housing starts were down 9.8% from April to a seasonally… The post Housing Starts Plunge 9.8% in May, Hitting Five-Year Low appeared first on RISMedia.

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UpEquity receives warehouse facility from Silicon Valley Bank, Setpoint

Housing Wire

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank , and lending partner Setpoint announced on Wednesday that they’re providing a $200 million warehouse facility to Austin-based mortgage tech firm UpEquity. The funding is expected to support $1 billion in originations over the next two years, helping homebuyers purchase new homes before selling their current ones , and to support the growth of UpEquity. “We are thrilled to work with Silicon Valley Bank and expand our relati

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Home construction stalls as costs rise, demand softens

Real Estate News

Skip to Content Agents Brokerages MLS/Assn Tech Industry By the Numbers Consumer Shutterstock By the Numbers Home construction stalls as costs rise, demand softens Housing starts and permits fell in May in response to economic and market factors, while buyers continue to hold out despite easing mortgage rates. Dave Gallagher June 18, 2025 3 mins Key points: Single-family starts were down 7.3% compared to a year ago, while issued permits dropped 6.4%.