Mon.Jun 30, 2025

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What agents must know about telemarketing consent

Housing Wire

As class-action lawsuits continue against major real estate brokerages for alleged telemarketing violations, firms of all sizes are under increasing pressure to strengthen their compliance practices. According to attorney Michele Shuster, a founding partner of Mac Murray and Shuster LLP , staying within the bounds of federal and state telemarketing laws isn’t just a legal necessity — it’s vital risk management in today’s regulatory climate.

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Why Asking Questions Is Your Superpower in Real Estate Presentations

Lab Coat Agents

Most real estate agents approach presentations focused on what they’ll say rather than what they’ll ask. Yet the most successful listing agents know that questions, not statements, are what truly win clients. Strategic questioning transforms your presentation from a one-sided pitch into a meaningful conversation that addresses your prospect’s specific needs and concerns.

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Better Mortgage’s AI revolution: How Better is empowering loan officers, not replacing them

Housing Wire

In an era where technology often threatens to overshadow human roles, Better Mortgage is charting a different course. By developing in-house AI tools designed to complement rather than replace human expertise, the company is enhancing the mortgage experience for both borrowers and loan officers. Already, its AI Loan Agent, Betsy , handles over 125,000 customer interactions each month, cutting through administrative drag and unlocking up to $2,000 in sales productivity per funded loan.

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Multi-Generational Homebuying Hit a Record High – Here’s Why

Keeping Current Matters

Start a Free Trial Login 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 Start a Free Trial Login Menu Menu English Español AGENTS: Did you know you can share a personalized version of this post?

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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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The five housing markets where homeownership is still affordable

Housing Wire

Soaring home prices, limited inventory and elevated mortgage rates have exacerbated the housing affordability crisis in many housing markets when viewed in the context of household incomes, which have remained generally stagnant. In a new study, Zillow compiled related metrics to measure the affordability gap in terms of how much more income a household would have to make over the median to be able to afford a typical home in any given housing market.

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Mayors back Realtor.com’s campaign to address the housing crisis

Housing Wire

The U.S. Conference of Mayors formally endorsed a bipartisan statement to support the Let America Build campaign — a housing policy initiative backed by Realtor.com — during the organization’s annual meeting in Tampa on Sunday. The resolution — introduced by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson — acknowledges the mounting housing affordability crisis, and it calls for policy reforms at all levels of government to increase housing supply and ease zoning restrictions. “ Homeownership was the American dr

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Common Lease Violations in the Summer and How to Address Them

AAOA

Find out how to handle lease violations that increase during the summer, like unauthorized guests, extra vehicles, barbecues, noise complaints, and extended tenant absences. Summer has a way of bringing out both the best and the busiest parts of property management. The days are longer, the properties are greener, and with that comes a noticeable uptick in tenant activity.

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NAR: Homebuyers still have down payment misconceptions

Housing Wire

Despite growing attention around all-cash transactions, most Americans — especially first-time buyers — continue to finance their home purchases, according to new data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Among primary residence buyers, 74% financed their home purchase in 2024. That share jumps to 91% for first-time buyers , said Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief economist and vice president of research.

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15 Best Real Estate Software for Agents in 2025 (+ Pricing)

The Close

With so many real estate software programs, choosing the right tools takes work. To help you navigate these choices, I’ve compiled a list of the best real estate software across various categories. From lead generation to transaction management, my list covers the top options to help you simplify your workflows, keep you organized, and, ultimately, scale your real estate business.

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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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Are broker-to-broker referral fees next in the hot seat?

Housing Wire

When the National Association of Realtors’ ( NAR ) agreed to implement mandatory buyer representation agreements as part of its commission lawsuit settlement agreement, the trade group said it was in the name of increased transparency. It’s with this same goal in mind that Northwest MLS (NWMLS) said it chose to implement referral fee disclosures.

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Seller optimism high despite increased risk of taking a loss

Real Estate News

Skip to Content Agents Brokerages MLS/Assn Tech Industry By the Numbers Consumer Shutterstock By the Numbers Seller optimism high despite increased risk of taking a loss Many sellers believe they’ll be able to sell their home at or above asking price even as market conditions are shifting, a recent survey found. Zephin Livingston June 30, 2025 3 mins Key points: A recent Clever Offers survey found high optimism among future home sellers, 77% of whom don’t anticipate that lowering their asking p

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Home equity cushions homeowners against economic shocks

Housing Wire

The most recent National Mortgage Database (NMDB) Aggregate Statistics report from FHFA reveals the significant amount of home equity that American households possess. This should put an end to any discussions suggesting that the housing market is on the verge of a mass foreclosure crisis or that national home prices will crash like they did from 2007 to 2011.

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Asking Rents Are Falling in 28 Major U.S. Metros—the Most Since 2023

AAOA

The median U.S. asking rent dropped 1% year over year to $1,633 in May as elevated apartment supply gave renters room to negotiate. Asking rents fell fastest in Austin, down 9% to the lowest level since 2021. Rents hit a record high in four metros: Chicago, Cincinnati, Memphis and Washington, D.C. The median U.S. asking rent fell 1% year over year in May to $1,633, which is $72 below the August 2022 record high.

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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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Manual income verification is killing your commissions

Housing Wire

In a market where every deal counts, manual income verification is the silent killer of commissions. You know the scenario: the borrower is solid, the property appraises and everything looks good—until income verification turns into a bottleneck. Suddenly, you’re chasing paystubs, waiting on HR reps who don’t call back and explaining delays to a frustrated borrower.

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Can You Take Your House Off The Market? What Sellers Need To Know

Redfin

Selling your home is a major decision, and sometimes plans change. Maybe the market isn’t performing the way you hoped. Maybe life threw you a curveball. Or maybe you’re just having second thoughts. Whatever the reason, it’s not uncommon to wonder: Can you take your house off the market? The short answer is yes. But there are a few important things to consider before making your move.

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Zillow readies for battle with Compass

Real Estate News

Skip to Content Agents Brokerages MLS/Assn Tech Industry By the Numbers Consumer Illustration by Real Estate News/Shutterstock Industry Zillow readies for battle with Compass The home search site intends to officially oppose Compass’ preliminary injunction motion by July 18. Dave Gallagher June 30, 2025 2 mins Zillow has a bit of time to argue against a possible injunction over its ban of listings that are publicly marketed but not on the multiple listing service, according to new court documen

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Who Delivers Your Offer to the Seller?

Redfin

Key takeaways: In most home purchases, the buyer’s agent delivers the offer to the seller’s agent, who then presents it to the seller If you don’t have an agent, you must submit the offer yourself—ideally with help from a real estate attorney. Clean terms, proof of financing, and flexibility can help your offer get noticed—even as a backup. Dual agency is where one agent represents both the buyer and seller but only legal in some states.

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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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Becoming a Real Estate Photographer—Ultimate Guide + Tips

The Close

If you’re trying to figure out how to become a real estate photographer, you’re in the right place. It’s a niche with serious demand, and the barrier to entry is lower than you might think. With the right skills, gear, and a bit of hustle, you can turn this into a profitable side gig — or even a full-time career! My guide will teach you how to break in, stand out, and actually make it work.

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Can You Sell a House with Water Damage? 7 Steps to Success

Redfin

Selling a house with water damage can feel like an uphill battle – but it’s not impossible. Whether you’re trying to sell a water-damaged home in New Orleans or a condo in Phoenix , buyers may still be interested if the issue is handled the right way So, can you sell a house with water damage? Yes, you absolutely can. You just have to do it the right way.

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4 Top Estate Sale Companies in New Hampshire

HomeLight

If you’re searching for estate sale companies in New Hampshire, you may be facing the emotional and logistical task of clearing out a home filled with belongings. Whether prompted by a loss, a medical transition, or a need to relocate, this process can often feel overwhelming. In this article, we feature some of the top estate sale companies in New Hampshire and break down how they operate, what they charge, how long the process takes, and how much you can expect to earn from a sale.

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How Long to Keep Paperwork After Selling a House: 8 Common Situations To be Aware Of

Redfin

Deciding how long to keep paperwork after selling a house depends on your individual circumstances. With so many moving parts, there are a number of scenarios that can arise, each with their own specific documentation requirements. Read this Redfin article to find out a few of the most common home sale scenarios and their recommended document retention periods.

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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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The Open House System That Helped One Agent Close 30 Deals in 18 Months

BAM Media

Plenty of agents are still treating open houses like a courtesy to the seller. They show up, put out a few signs, maybe print off some flyers, and hope someone scans the QR code. Stephen Acree doesn’t hope. He converts. In a recent BAM webinar with Luke Acree of ReminderMedia and Byron Lazine , Stephen shared the exact system his team uses to turn open house traffic into real business.

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Email Marketing Made Easy for Property Managers

AAOA

Email marketing is one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools available to property managers looking to grow their business, nurture client relationships, and streamline communication. Whether you’re reaching out to current tenants, engaging prospective property owners, or strengthening your connections with vendors, email marketing can help you build trust, increase retention, and generate leads—all while automating repetitive tasks to save time and improve efficiency.

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How to Include Furniture in a Home Sale: A Step-by-Step Guide

Redfin

Whether you had custom furniture built specifically for your modern house in Denver or your buyers just really like your interior design work, there are a number of reasons why someone would want to package the furniture up with a home sale. It’s not overly complicated, but there are a few important details to get right. This simple guide walks you through how to include furniture in your home sale with confidence. 1.

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Freddie Mac House Price Index Declined in May; Up 2.2% Year-over-year

Calculated Risk Real Estate

Note: The Freddie Mac index is a repeat sales index using only loans purchased by Fannie and Freddie and includes appraisals. See FAQs here. Freddie has data for all states and many cities. For house prices, I’m currently following Case-Shiller, FHFA, CoreLogic, ICE, the NAR median prices, and this Freddie Mac index. Freddie Mac reported that its “National” Home Price Index (FMHPI) decreased -0.23% month-over-month (MoM) on a seasonally adjusted (SA) basis in May.

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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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NAMB issues support for CHLA white paper on LO compensation

Housing Wire

The National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) on Monday issued a letter of support for the Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA)’s white paper on LO compensation reform. CHLA ‘s white paper, released last week , urged Congress to roll back the loan originator compensation rule to focus on its original purpose — a ban on yield spread premiums (YSP), a predatory practice from the financial crisis of the 2000s in which brokers were paid extra by lenders to place borrowers in lo

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Zillow’s now enforcing its listings ban: 3 things to know

Real Estate News

As of June 30, home listings that aren’t widely available may be kept off the nation’s top search site, prompting a lawsuit from Compass and praise from others.

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Rocket reorganizes to close Redfin acquisition, Mr. Cooper on deck

Inman

By handling every aspect of homebuying and selling, from search to financing to title and closing — Rocket aims to cut transaction costs on the median priced home in half, from $40,000 to $20,000.

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