Wed.Feb 19, 2025

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Bright MLS debunks DC housing market social media posts

Housing Wire

A viral Instagram post this week claims that a wave of new inventory is hitting the Washington, D.C., housing market after large numbers of federal employee layoffs were announced. Bright MLS has addressed these claims this week with relevant data. Social media posts suggest that more than 4,000 homes recently hit the housing market in and around the nation’s capital.

MLS 349
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Reffkin knocks NAR, says rules ‘prop up’ inexperienced agents

Inman

The Compass CEO said that NAR's rules have held back top agents and brokerages. But Robert Reffkin also believes that as those rules end, big brokerages like his will pull further ahead.

Agents 167
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From consultation to closing: The definitive homebuying checklist

Housing Wire

Buyers agents are not just bright smiles that open doors were the guide our clients rely on to navigate the homebuying process. This is when your buyers need you the most. Thats why having a definitive homebuying checklist is an essential part of your agent toolkit. Ill share everything you need to keep the homebuying process running smoothly from your first meeting to closing and beyond. 1.

Closing 346
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Stop the presses! NAR ceases printing its flagship magazine

Inman

As it seeks to slash costs to pay a $418 million lawsuit settlement, the National Association of Realtors announced on Tuesday it would stop printing "Realtor" magazine and move to a digital-only format.

MLS 161
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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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Why your real estate team won’t scale without partnerships

Housing Wire

Any veteran real estate leader understands the balancing act running a team. You’re essentially responsible for scaling gross commission income (GCI) for everyone. You must do this while maintaining a sustainable level of margin with increasing expenses. What is the best way to make this happen? Strategic partnerships are the way to go. Leveraging other businesses with built-in assets that need real estate professionals can help supplement your lead generation expenses while providing a st

Branding 319
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This inventory data tells us what to expect in 2025: Economist

Inman

This week, Windermere Real Estate Principal Economist Jeff Tucker shares how inventory serves as a leading indicator for the 2025 market.

Principal 151

More Trending

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RealReports launches listing lead capture capability

Inman

RealReports core competency is in producing extensive, data-rich property and community reports for use in a variety of real estate business applications, from listing presentations to investment strategies.

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Is Compass already winning the war against Clear Cooperation?

Housing Wire

Compass CEO Robert Reffkin has made exclusive listings central to the companys business strategy. But the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), of which hes been a vocal critic, is an obstacle toward that strategy. While the debate over CCP has gotten increasingly heated , Reffkin may already be winning the war against the CCP. In his opening remarks during Compass s fourth-quarter 2024 earnings call on Tuesday, Reffkin said that almost half of the markets the brokerage operates in have stopped enforc

MLS 271
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Rocket offering renters up to $5K in closing credits

Inman

RocketRentRewards lets homebuyers earn closing cost credits equal to 10 percent of their verified rent payments over the past year, or $2,160 for those paying the average $1,800 in rent.

Closing 156
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Chris Franquemont returns to Rate after move to CrossCountry

Housing Wire

Denver-based loan originator Chris Franquemont announced on Wednesday his return to Guaranteed Rate as producing branch manager. His return follows a brief stint with CrossCountry Mortgage. Chris Franquemont Franquemont returns to Guaranteed Rate after a one-year stint as CrossCountry Mortgage’s senior vice president of mortgage lending, producing branch manager.

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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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Home Sellers Lost $1 Billion by Skipping the MLS

BAM Media

In the past two years, home sellers who avoided the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) left over $1 billion on the table. According to new research from Zillow , choosing a private listing network over the MLS meant the typical seller pocketed $4,975 less than they could have. And in high-priced markets like California, that number jumped to a $30,000 loss per home sold.

MLS 108
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Refinance applications take a dip following several strong weeks

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications decreased 6.6% from last week, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA) weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Feb. 14, 2025. On an unadjusted basis, applications decreased by 4% compared with the previous week. The refinance share of mortgage activity, which had been strong for the past few weeks, shrank to 38.7% of total applications from 40.2% last week.

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Engel & Völkers expands into Pikes Peak in northern Colorado

Inman

Engel & Vlkers Pikes Peak, led by license partner Travis Turner, brings together a team of 33 real estate advisors and five managing brokers who specialize in luxury real estate.

Brokerage 141
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Snapdocs becomes first eVault provider to get MISMO certification

Housing Wire

Digital closing provider Snapdocs has become the first to achieve compliance with MISMO s eVault System Standards, the company announced today. The certification, awarded after a rigorous third-party evaluation, confirms that the Snapdocs eVault meets all operational and technical requirements for the secure storage, management and transfer of eNotes, a release from Snapdocs said.

Investor 235
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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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Compass flexes private inventory, market share as revenue soars

Real Estate News

The brokerages strategy? Attract more buyers with exclusive listings, said CEO Robert Reffkin.The gap between Compass and the industry will only accelerate.

Brokerage 262
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NAR looks to dismiss DeYoung suit on three-way membership agreements

Housing Wire

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is continuing its quest to unshackle itself from antitrust litigation surrounding its three-way Realtor association membership agreements and MLS access. On Tuesday, NAR and other defendants filed a motion to dismiss the DeYoung suit by arguing that the plaintiffs have failed to state a claim. NAR has also filed motions to dismiss the Hardy suit , the Muhammad suit and the Eytalis suit , each of which allege similar claims.

MLS 242
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How to Turn an Open House Into a Neighborhood Marketing Machine

RIS Media

One of the fundamentals I teach my POWER AGENTS is that real estate isnt just about selling homesits about building relationships that create future business. And one of the most overlooked opportunities for doing that? Open houses. Specifically, hosting a Neighborhood Open House before your public open house. Most agents focus on attracting buyers, but… The post How to Turn an Open House Into a Neighborhood Marketing Machine appeared first on RISMedia.

Marketing 104
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Qualia enhances wire fraud protection system with new features

Housing Wire

Real estate closing platform Qualia announced on Wednesday a series of security upgrades to its platform. These enhancements are exclusive to Qualia’s Shield solution, a wire fraud detection system designed for title and escrow professionals. The upgrades start with added protection for low-risk wire transfers of up to $1 million. According to Qualia, the low-risk wire transfer insurance feature is backed by London-based insurance company Lloyd’s.

Title 211
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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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Housing Starts Retreat at the Start of 2025

Eye on Housing

Constrained housing affordability conditions due to ongoing, elevated interest rates led to a reduction in single-family production to start the new year. Overall housing starts decreased 9.8% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.37 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S.

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Home construction projects stall as builder outlook plunges

Real Estate News

Housing starts fell in January, and builders are less optimistic about the next six months as new federal policies could increase costs and reduce workforces.

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The Return to Urban Living — Why More People Are Moving Back to Cities

Keeping Current Matters

After years of suburban and rural migration during the pandemic, cities have been making a comeback in the past couple of years

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Mortgage, Refinance Applications Dip to Lowest Level This Year

RIS Media

On the heels of this months Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, a main measure of inflation, rising for the fourth consecutive month, this weeks mortgage application data reversed course from its recent run of increases. According to the latest Mortgage Applications Survey from the Mortgage Bankers Associations (MBA), home purchase applications for the week ending… The post Mortgage, Refinance Applications Dip to Lowest Level This Year appeared first on RISMedia.

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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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With brothers locked up, Alexander family shops around Miami homes

Inman

A handful of luxury properties in Miami owned by Oren, Tal and other family members are reportedly being shopped around by Shlomy Alexander, the family patriarch and a luxury developer.

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12 Essential Downsizing Tips from People Who’ve Been There

HomeLight

I can do this and I know my life will be better at the end of my move, Michelle Crocker repeated to herself during her downsizing experience. Crocker and her family of four were tasked with downsizing from their 7,000 square foot estate in Encinitas, California, to a 3,000 square foot multi-story on the beach. While their new home was just six miles down the road, the big challenge was selecting just half of their belongings to fit the downsized, seaside lifestyle.

Lending 98
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Newsmakers Spotlight: How Julia Lashay Israel Is Shaping a More Inclusive Real Estate Industry

RIS Media

Julia Lashay Israel, head of Inclusion and Belonging at Keller Williams Realty International, was named an Influencer on RISMedias 2025 Real Estate Newsmakers list earlier this month. She was recognized for her workshops and leadership courses held throughout 2024, as well as her Color of Money podcast, covering ways to increase housing wealth in Black… The post Newsmakers Spotlight: How Julia Lashay Israel Is Shaping a More Inclusive Real Estate Industry appeared first on RISMedia.

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Your Detailed Moving Checklist Organized by Key Home Sale Milestones

HomeLight

It sounds simple in theory: When the buyers of your home come to take possession, you need to be completely, 100% moved out. The reality is the home hand-off can be a logistical nightmare. Ive had people literally crying in the driveway, moving vans in the driveway, and the other people havent moved out yet, said Nicole Solari , a real estate agent in Fairfield, California, with 11 years of experience.

Sales 89
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Accelerating Real Estate Sales Pipelines to Streamline Buyer Journeys

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.

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AI Real Estate Photo Editing: Is it Worth Trying?

Lab Coat Agents

AI real estate photo editing offers faster and more affordable listings while leaving room for constant modifications. With more and more house hunters turning to online Multiple Listings Services (MLS), the quality of property photos has become a make-or-break factor in attracting potential buyers. For years, traditional photo editing companies helped agents with their listings, but from 2020 onwards, AI real estate photo editing has burst onto the scene, promising faster turnarounds and jaw-dr

Staging 81
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Rocket Mortgage Launches RocketRentRewards

RIS Media

Rocket Mortgage has announced the introduction of RocketRentRewards, a program to provide closing cost credits for renters. The offer allows homebuyers with a Rocket mortgage to earn 10% back on the last 12 months of rental payments, receiving up to $5,000 in lender credits toward closing costs, a press release stated. With the national average… The post Rocket Mortgage Launches RocketRentRewards appeared first on RISMedia.

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Roomy Park Slope One-Bedroom With Wood Floors, Four Closets Asks $795K

Brownstoner

A short stroll from Grand Army Plaza, this Park Slope prewar has its original generously sized 1930s layout with a large foyer, wood floors, and a decent amount of storage. It is on the fifth floor of the six-story, 48-unit red brick building at 235 Lincoln Place, which sits within… Read More > The post Roomy Park Slope One-Bedroom With Wood Floors, Four Closets Asks $795K appeared first on Brownstoner.

Marketing 100
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Compass Q4: Revenues and Agent Count Up, Losses Trimmed, CEO Bullish

RIS Media

In a Q4 and full year 2024 earnings call February 18, Compassthe tech-focused real estate services company that trumpets itself as the largest residential real estate brokerage in the U.S. by sales volumeannounced strong Q4 results, a lessening of year-over-year losses and impressive agent-count growth. “Despite a year in which resale transactions experienced a 29-year… The post Compass Q4: Revenues and Agent Count Up, Losses Trimmed, CEO Bullish appeared first on RISMedia.

Agents 76
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Boldtrail Backoffice - Take The Quiz to See What Package Is Right For You

BoldTrail BackOffice provides a single, streamlined solution to manage agent onboarding and billing and commission tracking and disbursements, along with agent management, reporting, and accounting - so your brokerage can run smoothly & profitably. Our #1-rated back office solutions have exactly what your business needs to deliver a seamless experience for your clients and your team.